Department of Health Services

Nearly All Wisconsinites Age 6 Months and Older Now Eligible for Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

DHS urges Wisconsinites to get an updated COVID-19 vaccination and a flu shot to protect themselves and others ahead of the holidays

Why Have So Few Children in County Gotten Updated COVID Vaccine?

Only 2.9% of children ages 5 to 11 have received an updated dose.

DHS Reminds Wisconsinites: It is Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Vaccine

With flu cases increasing nationwide, Wisconsinites are encouraged to get a flu vaccine to avoid serious illness

Residential Treatment Center Opens Downtown

48-bed eating disorder facility in a 7-story building. Plus: All the week's real estate news.

DHS Leader Karen Timberlake Leaving Gov. Evers Administration

Timberlake has led Department of Health Services since January 2021.

Three Respiratory Illnesses Affecting Milwaukee

COVID-19 isn't the only virus going around right now.

Gov. Evers Announces DHS Secretary-designee Timberlake Leaving Evers Administration

Wisconsin DOJ and 32 other States finalize $435 Million Agreement with JUUL Labs

December 8, 2022

DHS, OCI Urge Wisconsinites to Sign up for Health Care Coverage by December 15

Marketplace enrollment ensures coverage starts January 1

As the Cold Weather Brings an Uptick in COVID-19 Cases, DHS Reminds Wisconsinites How to Stay Healthy this Holiday Season

Free COVID-19 self-tests and COVID-19 treatment telehealth services are available

DHS Awarded $45 Million to Support Public Health Workforce Development

Grant from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to advance public health workforce development at state and local levels over next five years

Hospitals, Clinics Across State At Capacity

Facing highest number in years of patients with influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

Where To Get Advice on Health Care

It's Open Enrollment Period in Wisconsin. Advisors like Quentella Perry can help.

Wisconsin Ranks Number One During Fall Drug Take Back Day

November 23, 2022

State Opioid Deaths Set New Record

1,427 opioid-related deaths in 2021, up 16% over 2020 record and 70% more than in 2018.

Two New Dental Clinics in City For Underserved

Ascension opening urgent dental care clinics on South Side, North Side.

State To Provide More Money To Nursing Homes

Reimbursement rate increase designed to address staffing, rising costs.

Health Officials Urge Flu, COVID-19 Vaccinations Amidst Three-Virus Surge

RSV, flu and COVID-19 cases are all on rise, stressing hospitals.

DHS Announces Opportunity to Order More Free COVID-19 Self-Tests

All Wisconsin households can order a free package of COVID-19 self-tests each month

DHS Announces Medicaid Nursing Home Rate Increase to Support Health Care Workforce

DHS to cover an average of 90% of nursing homes' costs of providing care for Medicaid members

Marquette’s behavior analysis program receives $2 million from State of Wisconsin to expand Medicaid’s HCBS workforce

Wisconsin Fall Drug Take Back Collection Yields 54,040 Pounds of Unwanted Medications to Fight Opioid Epidemic

November 10, 2022

Wisconsin Launching COVID-19 Telehealth Program To Expand Drug Access

Service builds on Test-to-Treat program. Designed to fill health care coverage gaps.

$12 Million in Grant Funding Awarded to Wisconsin Home and Community-Based Services Professionals

First wave of awards will bring innovation and enhancement to the state’s direct care workforce

DHS Launches Free Telehealth Service for COVID-19 Treatment

Increases access to life saving antiviral treatments

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Grants to Expand Child Telepsychiatry Services, Access to Behavioral Health Care

More than $100 million invested in behavioral health in past year

DHS Secretary-designee Timberlake and Insurance Commissioner Houdek Celebrate the 10th Annual Open Enrollment Period on HealthCare.gov

Wisconsinites in every corner of the state can sign up for affordable, high quality health insurance from November 1, 2022 through January 15, 2023

Hunger Task Force Blasts State For Leaving Coggs Building

Files civil rights complaint. State says residents seeking benefits can still get service.

Baby Formula Shortage Easing in State

But questions about formula access still remain for some parents, caregivers.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Respiratory Virus Spreading Rapidly in Wisconsin Children

RSV often causes cold-like symptoms, but is leading to surge in youth hospitalizations.

Wisconsin Receives Federal Approval to Implement Housing Benefits

Stable housing is critical to improving health outcomes for children and families

DHS Invests $8.3 Million in Wisconsin Schools for School Health Service Workforce

DHS Encourages All Wisconsinites to Take Steps to Prevent Childhood Lead Exposure

October 23-29 marks National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Drug Take Back Day is October 29

October 25, 2022

National Commission on Correctional Health Care Names Wisconsin Resource Center 2022 Facility of the Year

Award recognizes quality and innovation in resident care

State Health Department Introduces New Flu Vaccine Data Dashboard and Report on Vaccine Coverage in Wisconsin

The data will help promote vaccines among populations and communities that need them most

Updated COVID-19 Boosters Available for People 5 Years and Older at Milwaukee Health Department Immunization Clinics

State Agencies Launch Real Talks Campaign to Prevent and Reduce Substance Use

Strategies encourage open, honest, and caring conversations about drugs

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce $16 Million Investment in Maternal and Child Health

Initiative to reduce maternal and infant mortality disparities through impactful partnerships

What Two Fire Stations Will Milwaukee Fire Department Cut?

Or will an influx of Medicaid money stave off cut?

Potential Data Disclosure May Have Affected Certain Wisconsin Medicaid Members

DHS Expands Monkeypox Vaccine Eligibility Criteria for Wisconsinites

DHS encourages all eligible Wisconsinites to get vaccinated

DNR Seeking Public Input On PFAS Contamination In Marinette, Peshtigo And Surrounding Communities

In-Person Listening Session Oct. 26

AG Candidates Agree on Transparency Funding, But Not Related Legal Decisions

More money needed for public records issue, but Kaul and Toney aren't in unison on what should be public.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

DHS Accepting Applications for Projects to Improve Cultural Competence of Behavioral Health Workforce

Grants to be awarded for equity and inclusion efforts

DHS Launches Monkeypox Data Page

State Ramps Up Suicide Prevention Effort

Wisconsin surpasses national rate. DHS using federal grant for expanded program.

Stay Healthy this Fall: COVID-19 At-Home Tests and Booster Shots Still Available with No Out-of-Pocket Cost

DNR Recommends Precautions For Hunters Handling Wild Game To Prevent Exposure To Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Health Officials Expect Severe Flu Season, Urge Flu Shots

Flu vaccination has declined since 2019.

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Nearly $32 Million in EMS Flex Grants, Providing Support to 442 EMS Providers in Nearly Every Wisconsin County

Governor invests an additional $20 million into EMS grant program based on increased need

DHS Encourages You to Protect Yourself Against the Flu by Getting Vaccinated

Fall is the best time to get vaccinated and flu vaccines are available now

Senators Baldwin, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

988 Lifeline saw a 45 percent increase after adopting three-digit number

DHS Receives Five-Year Grant for Suicide Prevention

Wisconsin one of six states to receive federal grant

County Can’t Decide on Coggs Building

Committee approves $32 million for new DHHS building, and officials seem to favor razing the Coggs building.

Supervisor Coggs-Jones Applauds Expanded Access to Free COVID-19 Self-Tests

Legislators Okay $31 Million For Opioid Treatment

Joint Finance makes $3 million change in how Evers planned to spend opioid suit settlement money.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

This week, Milwaukee County remains in the Medium COVID-19 Community Level, based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

Milwaukee Health Department Begins Administration of Updated COVID-19 Booster Vaccine to Target Omicron Subvariant

The Milwaukee Health Department is pleased to begin administration of the updated single-dose COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine on Monday, September 12

DHS Urges New Booster Shots

New bivalent vaccines provide wider immunity to virus variants.

DHS Encourages Wisconsinites to Make a Plan to Get Boosted Against COVID-19 this Fall

People 12 and older are now eligible for updated COVID-19 boosters that target the original virus and newest Omicron subvariants

Wisconsin DOJ, 33 States Reach $438.5 Million Agreement with JUUL Labs

Wisconsin’s allocated share of the agreement would be more than $14.4 million.

DHS Expands Monkeypox Vaccine Eligibility Criteria for Wisconsinites

Early monkeypox data show emerging health disparities

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake’s Statement on CDC’s COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccine Recommendations

“The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is pleased to see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation that eligible Wisconsinites will soon have additional protection against COVID-19 with the approval of COVID-19 bivalent boosters."

Legislators Still Sitting on Opioid Funding

Democrats, health officials says lives could be lost if settlement funds not used to fight drug epidemic.

State’s FoodShare Program Has Decade-Old Barriers

Difficult application process, insufficient benefits, other problems limit its impact.

Nonprofit Helps Homes Get Air Conditioned

36,500 Milwaukee homes lacked AC in 2019, mostly in low-income neighborhoods.

Updated Guide to Free and Affordable Meals

Including food pantries, pay what you can, and free or low-cost food delivery.

A Map of County’s Overdose Deaths

78% of deaths last year involved fentanyl. But use of new drug, Xylazine, rising.

State’s Suicide Hotline Gets 6k Calls in First Month

Department of Health Services launched suicide and crisis line July 16.

Milwaukee County Experiencing Record Overdose Deaths

2022 outpacing 2021, which saw a record number of overdose deaths.

Overdose Deaths From Fentanyl Laced Drugs Increasing

The number of fentanyl overdose deaths grew 97% from 2019 to 2021.

State’s Democrats Warn More Federal Help Needed to Fight Monkeypox

Letter from Baldwin, others requests more vaccines and health care.

Gov. Evers, AG Kaul Slam Republicans for Again Delaying Funds to Combat Opioid Epidemic

Anonymous GOP objection delays $6 million in settlement funds from pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributors for opioid and substance misuse prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery programming

Wisconsin Communities Act to Prevent Lead Poisoning

DHS experts to tour properties that are part of the Lead-Safe Homes Program and child care centers testing for lead in drinking water

DHS Urges COVID-19 Vaccination for a Healthy School Year

DHS Accepting Applications for Home and Community-Based Services Grants

American Rescue Plan Act funds to help improve services for people in Wisconsin's long-term care programs

Waukesha County Declares Fentanyl a ‘Health Crisis’

92 people died of overdoses in Waukesha County last year.

Statewide Republican Candidates

Hotly-contested race for gubernatorial nomination is just the tip of the iceberg.

DNR Wants Water Utilities Notifying Customers of PFAS

DNR urges notice after EPA releases much stronger PFAS standards.

Supervisor Burgelis Seeks to Increase Monkeypox Awareness and Vaccine Distribution

GOP Candidates For Governor Oppose Abortions For Child Sex Assault Victims

No exceptions means child rape or incest victims can’t get an abortion in Wisconsin.

State DNR Adds New PFAS Rules

Regulating 'forever chemicals' in drinking water, surface water and fire fighting foam.

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce $8 Million Being Distributed to Help Support, Stabilize EMS Providers Across the State

EMS providers to receive an additional nearly $25,000 to support purchasing new emergency service vehicles, patient transport equipment, and diagnostic medical equipment

DHS Submits Updated Proposal for Opioid Settlement Funds to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance

Plan includes recommendations on how the state should use $31 million awarded from agreement with pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors

Salmonella Infections Linked to Shelled Peas Sold at Wisconsin Farmers Markets and Farm Stands

Six people have become ill; three have been hospitalized

Public Awareness Campaign Seeks to Boost COVID-19 Vaccinations

Marketing campaign aims at increasing vaccinations among children and seniors.

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce $2.5 Million in Telehealth Grants for Behavioral Health Providers

Neighborhood access stations to help remove barriers to care

Nearly Half of State Has High COVID-19 Level

Masking recommended in 16 counties with 43% of population, including Milwaukee and Dane.

Program Helps Spanish Speaking Families With Memory Loss

United Community Center offers caregiver training to families of Alzheimer's, dementia patients.

State Job Growth Slowed in Early Summer

Between May and June job growth was slower than expected.

Governor Evers, DHS Announce Launch of WisCaregiver Careers Program Expansion

Expanded program will train more certified nursing aides to support Wisconsin’s nursing homes

Nursing Homes Struggle to Find Staff

New report finds state’s economy grew swiftly since pandemic, with some sectors trailing.

Senator Baldwin’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Prevention Hotline Launches Nationwide

Baldwin helped deliver funding for 988 line through omnibus legislation and bipartisan Safer Communities Act

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Wisconsin is Ready to Transition to 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Free and confidential behavioral healthcare and support available 24/7

DHS Provides Updates During National Infant Formula Shortage

Parents have more options to feed their babies

First Case of Monkeypox Identified in City of Milwaukee Resident