Karen Timberlake

Baldwin Pushes DOJ to Help Address Steep Decline for Crime Victims Fund

Wisconsin DOJ faces 41% reduction in funding for crime victim assistance in FY2024

After 4 Years, 180 Appointees by Gov. Evers Haven’t Been Confirmed

Republican Senate leaves them in limbo. 'Tell me what I need to do,' Ever says.

2022 Roundup: Gov. Evers Completes 2022 72-County Tour of Wisconsin

Many Residents Unaware State Moved Out of Coggs Center

Individuals keep showing up at old location for FoodShare, other benefits.

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

DHS Leader Karen Timberlake Leaving Gov. Evers Administration

Timberlake has led Department of Health Services since January 2021.

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

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

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

Hope House of Milwaukee Receives Exemplary Award for Diverse and Inclusive Hiring Practices

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.

Wisconsin Receives Federal Approval to Implement Housing Benefits

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

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

Award recognizes quality and innovation in resident care

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

Strategies encourage open, honest, and caring conversations about drugs

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

Initiative to reduce maternal and infant mortality disparities through impactful partnerships

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

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

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

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

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

Legislators Still Sitting on Opioid Funding

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

A Map of County’s Overdose Deaths

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

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

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

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Over $14 Million to Build Capacity for Wisconsin’s Behavioral Health Needs

Projects to increase access and build workforce for mental health and substance use services

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

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

Neighborhood access stations to help remove barriers to care

Governor Evers, DHS Announce Launch of WisCaregiver Careers Program Expansion

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

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

Wisconsin SeniorCare Program to Cover Vaccines Provided at Pharmacies

New benefit will increase senior access to vaccines

State Begins Vaccines For Youngest People

Children aged 6 months to 5 now eligible, as COVID-19 continues to spread across state.

DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines for Everyone Age 6 Months and Older

Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines authorized for children 6 months through 5 years

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

DHS Updates COVID-19 Illness After Vaccination Page to Include Data by Booster Dose Status

Data continue to show staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines protects against severe illness and death due to COVID-19

WI Health Department Urges Booster Shots for Ages 5 to 11

Following guidance of CDC, which is expanding recommendations for 2nd booster shot.

DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses to Everyone 5 and Older

Children ages 5-11 now eligible for a booster dose

DHS Provides Tips for Families During National Infant Formula Shortage

Wisconsin Joins National Effort to Grow and Retain Health Care Workforce

Multiple states collaborate to address worker shortages

Gov. Evers, Evers Administration Cabinet Take ‘Cabinet on the Road’ to Western Wisconsin

Gov. Tony Evers, together with members of his cabinet, hosted ‘Cabinet on the Road’ events in Osseo, Altoona, Menomonie, and Eau Claire.

Wisconsin Receives USDA Approval to Provide Food Benefits in July for Children Under Six Not Enrolled in School

DHS Makes Changes to COVID-19 Data Webpages

Updates make data easier to find, align with CDC Community Levels as a tool to keep you safe and healthy

Proposal to Extend Medicaid Coverage for Postpartum Individuals Open for Public Comment

Federal government approval would extend coverage from 60 to 90 days

Wastewater Tests Show Uptick in COVID-19

Too early to tell but increases found in several cities, including Milwaukee.

‘You Are Heroes,’ Evers Tells Workers

Governor kicks off statewide tour to thank health and front-line workers who helped battle pandemic.

DHS Urges FoodShare Members to Protect Themselves from Fraud

Gov. Evers Announces Additional Security Pay Program for State Employees

Families with Children Who Did Not Receive Free or Reduced Price Meals at School Due to COVID-19 Will Receive Food Benefits

Wisconsin issues first round of benefits through the 2021-2022 School P-EBT Program

DHS Updates Vaccination Coverage Dashboard to Include Booster and Additional Dose Data

New metrics show coverage by county and demographics

DHS Awards $3.4 Million in Community Outreach Grants to Promote Equity in COVID-19 Vaccinations

DHS to Request 30-day Extension of Medicaid Coverage for Women After Pregnancy

Federal government’s approval would increase coverage from 60 to 90 days

Kaul, Planned Parenthood Oppose Abortion Ban

GOP bill almost identical to restrictive 6-week abortion ban passed in Texas.

Creating a workforce to build healthier communities

With help from Wisconsin’s Workforce Innovation Grant, UW-Eau Claire, Mayo Clinic, and others hope to train new generation of health care workers, teachers

DHS Urges Vaccination as the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Gains Full FDA Approval

Gov. Evers Announces More Than 5.4 Million Pieces of PPE Distributed So Far in 2022

More than 533,000 pieces of PPE distributed to school districts across Wisconsin this year

Wisconsin Sees Record COVID-19 Cases

State health officials report highest ever seven-day-average of cases

National Guard Deploying to Hospitals, Nursing Homes

Gov. Evers deploying 210 members in wake of COVID-19 surge.

Gov. Evers Announces Wisconsin National Guard to Support Hospital and Nursing Home Capacity

Gov. Evers, OCI Announce Cost of COVID-19 At-Home Tests to be Covered by all Health Plans

New requirement comes from Biden Administration as Omicron Cases Surge

Gov. Evers and DHS Announce Rate Increase to Help Support Healthcare Workforce in the Midst of COVID-19 Case Surge

Evers Administration, DHS, DPI Remind Schools of Support, Resources Available to Help Keep Kids and Educators Safe in School as Omicron Spreads

DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose for Everyone Ages 12 and Older

DHS also recommends Pfizer and Moderna booster doses at 5 months and an additional primary dose for certain immunocompromised children 5 through 11 years of age

Wisconsin Receives Oral Antiviral COVID-19 Treatments

Initial supply of molnupiravir and Paxlovid is limited, both drugs require a prescription

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake’s Statement on CDC Recommendations to Shorten Isolation and Quarantine Periods

Gov. Evers and DHS Announce FEMA Support for Wisconsin Hospitals

FEMA support will provide critical care to Wisconsinites in the Green Bay area

Pressure Builds on State’s Hospitals

More than 95% of ICU beds are full, one-third of them patients with COVID-19.

DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake Joins First Lady Dr. Jill Biden on Visit to Children’s Wisconsin to Encourage Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccinations

Governor Evers, DHS Mark the One-Year Anniversary of COVID-19 Vaccine Arriving in Wisconsin

More than two-thirds of Wisconsin adults are now fully vaccinated and nearly 90,000 children ages 5 through 11 have received at least one dose.

La Crosse Lighthouse Peer-Run Respite Opens

A space for healing mental health and substance use concerns

Many Older Teens Eligible for Booster Shots

State officials say those 16 or older who got the Pfizer vaccine should get booster shot.

DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose for everyone 16 and older

DHS supports the FDA authorization and CDC recommendation to provide a Pfizer booster dose for 16- and 17-year-olds

DHS Awards $8.1 Million in Community Outreach Grants to Promote Equity in COVID-19 Vaccinations

Funds still available for community organizations to support vaccine outreach

First Case of the Omicron Variant Identified in Wisconsin

Governor Evers, DHS urge vaccination and continued public health practices to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant

DHS Provides Update on Omicron Variant

No cases among Wisconsin residents have been identified at this time but investigation is ongoing

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake’s Statement on CDC’s Recommendation of Booster Doses for All Adults

Federal Funds Help Wisconsinites Get Health Coverage

$2 million ARPA funding to non-profit that helps people sign up for insurance through ACA.

DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose for Anyone 18 and Older

DHS supports the FDA authorization, CDC recommendations

DHS Announces $2 Million in Funding to Help Wisconsinites Access Affordable Health Insurance

DHS Urges Wisconsinites to Celebrate the Holidays Safely

Provides recommendations to help reduce the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19

Gov. Evers Announces Wisconsin to Join the Bloomberg Opioids Overdose Prevention Initiative

Bloomberg Philanthropies expands initiative to five new states, commits additional $120 million to reduce overdose deaths in U.S.

Wisconsin to Offer COVID-19 Vaccinations to Children Ages 5-11

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine deemed safe and effective for this age group

Gov. Evers Joins OCI and DHS to Encourage Wisconsinites to Sign Up for Health Coverage During Open Enrollment

Wisconsin to Offer COVID-19 Moderna and Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Booster Doses

DHS supports CDC recommendation to expand eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots

DHS Announces Multiple Funding Opportunities to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities

DHS Provides Update on Measles Cases in Wisconsin

Risk of measles transmission in surrounding communities remains low