Kirsten Johnson

As Previewed in 2025 State of the State Address, Gov. Evers Approves DHS Emergency Rule to Strengthen Standards to Prevent Further Hazardous Lead Exposure to Wisconsin Kids

Rule allows more kids to be eligible for services to help reduce lead exposure

Gov. Evers Celebrates Wisconsin’s Highest Enrollment Ever on HealthCare.gov

Wisconsinites Can Still Enroll in Affordable, High-Quality Health Insurance Through the Federal Marketplace until January 15

Health Department Striving To Be Model of Anti-Racism

New deputy commissioner drawn to job through anti-racism focus, personal experience with department.

DHS Announces Innovative Medicaid Housing Benefit

2024 Roundup- Gov. Evers Completes Annual 72-County Tour of Wisconsin

Candidates Ignore State’s Looming ‘Senior Tsunami’

Over-75 population expected to explode, creating huge shortage of health care workers.

Gov. Evers, Evers Administration Recognize World Suicide Prevention Day, Highlight Grants to Help Reduce Suicide Deaths

Evers Administration highlights ongoing work and investments to help reduce suicide as the deaths by suicide in Wisconsin exceed 900 for second consecutive year

Could Medicaid Expansion, Rural Incentives Reduce Labor Shortage?

Final report by Governor’s Task Force on Healthcare Workforce offers recommendations.

Gov. Evers Announces Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce Releases Full Report

Report details recommendations to address challenges facing the state’s healthcare workforce

Gov. Evers Directs More Than $250 Million to Support Long-Term Care Services and the Caregiving Workforce in Wisconsin

Increased funding will bolster workforce delivering care to older adults and people with disabilities

DHS Seeks Input on the IRIS Program for Waiver Renewal

Wisconsinites can share ideas to improve the program for older adults and people with disabilities

“Saying, Not Saying” Campaign Aims to Reduce Mental Health Stigma

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

State Health Department Reinstates Vaccine Requirements for School Children

Legislature had blocked vaccine requirements for chickenpox, meningitis.

DHS to Implement Immunization Updates for Children in Child Care Centers and Schools to Follow State Law

Updates follow federal recommendations to protect children and communities against vaccine-preventable diseases

Legislature Stalls Opioid Settlement Funds. Again

Joint Finance Committee fails to meet deadline to approve state DHS plan.

Law Enforcement Agencies Awarded Grants from State Opioid Settlement Funds

Funded projects focus on prevention, intervention, and treatment activities

Committee Blocks $258 Million Home Health Care Pay Plan

Providers fear losing workers, while others fear providers themselves will drop out.

DNR, DHS Respond To EPA’s Announcement Of Maximum Contaminant Levels For PFAS In Drinking Water

Gov. Evers, Evers Administration Celebrate 14 Years of the Affordable Care Act

Visiting Eau Claire, Evers Chides Legislators for Blocking Hospital Funds

As Republicans withhold aid, hospital closings create health-care gap in western Wisconsin.

BadgerCare Recipients Can Get Free Over-The-Counter Birth Control

Ever directs DHS order: pharmacies can provide Opill at no cost for recipients.

DHS Awards Grants from JUUL Settlement Funds to Prevent and Treat Vaping by Youth and Young Adults

Feedback from statewide listening sessions and surveys recommended how funds should be used

Kirsten Johnson Aims to Restore Trust in Public Health

And bolster workforce. State DHS leader oversees nearly 6,000 employees.

Marquette University School of Dentistry dean appointed to Governor’s Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce

Evers Task Force to Spotlight Health Care Worker Shortage

Everyone in state should have good quality care, 'no matter their zip code.'

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order Creating Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce, Appoints Lieutenant Governor Chair

Governor’s task force announced in State of the State address to create action plan to address chronic challenges in the state’s healthcare industry, bolster healthcare workforce

As Previewed in 2024 State of the State Address, Gov. Evers Announces DHS Standing Order to Increase Access to Over-the-Counter Emergency Contraception for BadgerCare Plus Members Available Now

DHS Wants All Children Tested For Lead Poisoning

Lead exposure particularly dangerous for young children, but can be remediated if caught.

DHS Recommends Blood Lead Tests for All Children

Tests now encouraged for children ages 1 and 2, and those aged 3-5 who have not been previously tested

Gov. Evers Announces Wisconsin Reached Highest Enrollment Ever on HealthCare.gov

For a limited time, Wisconsinites can still sign up for affordable, high-quality health insurance on the federal marketplace through Jan. 16, 2024

Watertown Youth Crisis Stabilization Facility Now Open

Center provides care for young people who need a safe place to be during times of distress

Wisconsin Implements 12-Month Continuous Health Insurance Coverage for Children

Mandated by federal legislation, the change stabilizes health insurance for kids in BadgerCare Plus and other Medicaid programs

Three-Agency Collaboration Supports Higher Employment Rates for Individuals with Disabilities

Competitive Integrated Employment Yielding Improved Employment Outcomes

Department of Health Services Urges Wisconsinites to Throw Away Applesauce Brands That are Part of Nationwide Recall Due to High Levels of Lead

Parents and caregivers should have children tested for elevated blood levels if they ate applesauce products included in the recall

DHS and DOJ Announce Dose of Reality Roundtable Discussions on Wisconsin’s Opioid Epidemic

Statewide tour will include local community leaders and partners to talk about what we can do to save lives

Wisconsin Underage Tobacco, Vape Sales Rise in 2023

Increase in underage sales linked to confusion between federal and state law, public health officials continue to build awareness and compliance

DHS Announces New Accountability Measures for Medicaid Providers to Ensure Families Receive Critical, Effective Post-Birth Care Services

Changes to child care coordination benefit will increase provider accountability and prevent fraud to help promote positive health outcomes for mothers and children

Bipartisan Proposal Would Create Mental Health Crisis Centers Across State

Current model has police offers driving individuals for hours.

Statement from DHS Secretary-designee Kirsten Johnson on Senate Bill 462

A significant and meaningful step in creating needed infrastructure to address treatment options for people with a mental health crisis

Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline Marks Five Years of Service

More than 31,000 calls, texts, and chats for support answered since 2018

DHS Marks 25 Years of Aging and Disability Resource Centers Serving Wisconsin Communities

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce New Federal Grants to Support the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

New investments will help increase public awareness of 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and its ability to help people with mental health and substance use needs

Senate Targets 6 Evers Appointees

Republicans leave elections commission unbalanced and board overseeing DNR unable to act.

DHS Awards Funding to Law Enforcement Agencies Working to Address the Opioid Epidemic

Application period still open for additional grant dollars

DHS Calls on Wisconsinites to Make a Plan to Protect Against Respiratory Illnesses This Fall

Updated COVID-19 vaccine approved and available soon, flu and RSV vaccines available statewide

Gov. Evers, DHS Renew Commitment to Suicide Prevention During Year of Mental Health

Statewide resources and support available to individuals and families as deaths in Wisconsin top 900 for second year

Attorney General Kaul Joins Law Enforcement, Public Health Officials Across Wisconsin to Highlight Additional NARCAN® from Opioid Settlements

Opioid Settlements Yield 31,560 Additional Doses of NARCAN® for Wisconsin Law Enforcement

1.4 Million Wisconsin Residents Need To Reapply For Medicaid, Will They?

As of June, more than one-third had not initiated the renewal process. Real test comes at end of summer.

988 Wisconsin Lifeline Marks First Anniversary

Wisconsinites can call, text, and chat for free, 24/7 mental health and substance use support

Second Round of Grants for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Exceeds $12 Million; Total Funding Reaches $30 Million

90 organizations will receive funding, many with a focus on crucial transportation enhancements

Additional Grants Awarded to Help Reduce Disparities in Behavioral Health Care System

Equity and inclusion trainings to be offered to service providers

DHS Announces Expansion of Harm Reduction Efforts

New funding for public health vending machines aimed at preventing or reversing overdose

DHS Launches Independent Living Supports Pilot Program

New effort explores ways to support Wisconsinites living at home longer, for better health outcomes

Missing Ventilators Restart Fight Over Federal Funds Oversight

Auditors found some COVID-19 supplies missing, triggering debate about who should control aid dollars.

DHS Releases New Reports on Infant Deaths in Wisconsin

DHS Releases New Reports on Infant Deaths in Wisconsin

Dr. T Confirmed As Health Commissioner

Michael Totoraitis is the new leader of city health department.

New Health Commissioner Wins Key Approval

Michael Totoraitis says he's commited to providing long-term, strategic leadership.

DHS Details End of Emergency COVID-19 Response

COVID-19 prevention and precaution remain a priority as response programs transition

DHS Awards $8 million for Opioid and Stimulant Treatment Service

Tribal nation and county agencies to use funding from the State Opioid Response Grant Program to support local needs

Mayor Names New Health Commissioner

Michael Totoraitis will lead department, subject to council confirmation.

DHS Awards $10 Million to Construction Projects for Opioid Treatment and Recovery Support Services

New and renovated buildings to provide much needed space for women with opioid use disorder

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Resigns

Kirsten Johnson resigns after two years on job. New commissioner will be sixth in six years.

Milwaukee County Public Health Collaborative Announces New Campaigns Encouraging COVID-19 Booster and Flu Vaccinations in Low-Vaccine Rate Zip Codes

Holiday and COVID-19 booster campaigns aim to educate and excite

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

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Milwaukee Health Department Urges Residents to Get Vaccinated this Flu Season

Milwaukee Ramps Up Monkeypox Testing, Vaccines

City health department leads the way. 'If you know you’ve been exposed get tested.'

Milwaukee Health Department Hosts Fall Meetings to Gather Input from Community

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

Ashanti Hamilton Resigns For Administration Job

New head of Office of Violence Prevention was 1st District alderman since 2004.

Ashanti Hamilton Will Lead Office of Violence Prevention

Alderman will resign to take post in his onetime rival's administration.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Supervisor Burgelis Seeks to Increase Monkeypox Awareness and Vaccine Distribution

Mayor Dumps Head of Violence Prevention Office

Arnitta Holliman removed from role she had held for a little more than a year.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Milwaukee Health Department Hosts 21st Annual Back-to-School Health Fair

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

City of Milwaukee Mask Advisory

First Case of Monkeypox Identified in City of Milwaukee Resident

Milwaukee Offering No-Appointment Vaccination For Everyone Six Months and Older

CDC authorizes COVID-19 vaccination for those ages six months to four years.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

The disease burden in the City of Milwaukee this week increased to 147.4 new positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over seven days and remains in the “high transmission” category.

Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes & Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO, Announce $5.7 Million In Federal Funding

Supports more than 200 Public Health AmeriCorps members

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Bublr Rolling Out Hundreds of E-Bikes, 26 New Stations

New e-bikes are "awesome" and "extremely fun" says Mayor Johnson.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Lead Program Investigation Closed Without Criminal Charges

But investigation confirms program was mismanaged.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

Milwaukee Mask Mandate Expires

Lasted less than six weeks. But businesses and organizations can still require masks on their premises.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

City Offering $100 Vaccine Incentive

Health Department offers $100 gift cards to any city resident getting first vaccination.