Milwaukee County Aging & Disabilities Services to Host a Pair of ‘Holiday Healing Summits’ Next Week

Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee County’s Aging and Disabilities Services (ADS), a service area of the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), will host a pair of free community events next week. These “Holiday Healing Summits” will bring together community members, service providers, and caregivers to address the challenges posed by social isolation, particularly in relation to addiction and recovery. The events will feature presentations from experts in the space, opportunities for interaction and reflection, connections to valuable community resources, and practical tools for individuals and caregivers to better cope with challenges this holiday season.

The first “Holiday Healing Summit” event will take place next Tuesday, December 10 from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Clinton Rose Senior Center (3045 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, Milwaukee). A second event will be held Thursday, December 12 from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Wilson Park Senior Center (2601 W Howard Ave, Milwaukee). Both events will include free refreshments and lunch, are fully ADA accessible, and will include valuable opportunities for members of our community to connect with expert resources and learn tools and strategies to reduce isolation and enhance wellness and recovery.

“While the holidays can be a joyous time, they can also be an especially challenging time, particularly for members of our community who are struggling with addiction or are homebound,” Milwaukee County DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain said. “These events, focusing on connection, are an extension of our broader DHHS mission: Together, Creating Healthy Communities. By coming together as a community, we can reinforce that there are tools to cope with isolation and valuable community resources to reinforce nobody needs to struggle in silence.”

While both events are completely free, space is limited and advance registration is appreciated. To register for the December 10 event at Clinton Rose, click here. To register for the December 12 event at Wilson Park, click here.

The “Holiday Healing Summits” are part of an ongoing effort by Milwaukee County DHHS and Aging & Disabilities Services to build connections with Milwaukee’s senior and disabled communities while driving awareness around community resources for individuals struggling with addiction and recovery. This broader 18-month effort – part of the County’s broader Better Ways to Cope campaign – is focused on advancing harm reduction, prevention, treatment and recovery services in a community-centered manner. The campaign is being spearheaded by ADS with additional support from DHHS Adult Protective Services. Funding for the campaign comes from the County’s allocation of Opioid Settlement Funds.

In addition to these free community events, Community Outreach Specialists from Milwaukee County DHHS ADS with lived experience have been going door-to-door in Milwaukee neighborhoods to engage residents in conversation, distribute harm reduction kits including Narcan and fentanyl test strips, and share information regarding existing community resources for substance misuse prevention and recovery. That effort will continue to expand into more of Milwaukee’s highest-risk neighborhoods throughout the winter and into next year.

For more information on the broader “Better Ways to Cope” platform and Milwaukee County’s continued commitment to building a healthier community through supporting organizations and initiatives in the substance misuse treatment and prevention space, visit www.betterwaystocope.com.

About the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services
The Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) empowers safe, healthy, meaningful lives by ensuring that no one in need goes unserved. Whether it be experiencing homelessness, a mental health crisis, incarceration as a youth or caring for a child with disabilities, DHHS connects individuals and families to resources that can help. Using best practices from the human service sector, DHHS collaborates within its service areas and with community partners to provide personalized services that are integrated, trauma-informed, and evidence-based and drive positive outcomes. Committed to performance excellence, DHHS is dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need to overcome challenges and create opportunities to become self-sufficient, strengthen their families and create a healthy, stable and safe community. DHHS is comprised of the following areas: Aging & Disabilities Services, Behavioral Health Services, Children, Youth & Family Services, Child Support Services, Housing Services, Management Services, and Veterans’ Services.

For more information visit www.county.milwaukee.gov/DHHS.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.