August 3, 2015
ISSUE 5-16
       

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Yours in prevention,
Kari Lerch
Deputy Director, Public Policy Institute

Check out our new website! 

We are happy to introduce you to our new Public Policy Institute website! Find your favorite programs such as the Milwaukee Brighter Futures Initiative, the City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance, and the Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, or read about our overall approach to prevention work.

The new website makes it easier to find information on relevant topics, and features an events calendar, a new PPI blog, archives of the Prevention Journal, and areas for news, resources, and publications. Sign up here to receive the first issue of the soon-to-come PPI e-newsletter, and thank you for being a loyal reader of our Prevention Journal!

 

Change is in the air     


 

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is rumored to mandate smoke-free policies in the upcoming year. First, policy language will get drafted, followed by a 60-day public comment period. This new policy would be monumental in protecting children and adults from secondhand smoke exposure.

 

The Wisconsin Association of Housing Authorities is a part of the Clear Gains Network and has surveyed Wisconsin housing authorities and found 81% of respondents had smoke-free policies covering all or some of their buildings. While great news, there are still housing authorities that have not adopted smoke-free policies in Wisconsin and more specifically in Milwaukee.

 

Clear Gains is eagerly awaiting any announcement from HUD and will continue providing resources and guidance to promote smoke-free housing policies. Feel free to contact Deb Heffner, City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance Coordinator at 414-270-4655 or visit the Clear Gains website for more information on smoke-free housing.

 

Stay tuned as the public comment period may come as soon as August or September!

 

Tips to help be a drug-free family  


The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids has recently launched a new Youtube series for parents to talk to their children about drugs and being drug-free. The series will provide tips and skills on how to start this conversation, and how to respond to difficult questions that may arise during the conversation. The web series will feature Heather Senior, LCSW, Director of Family Support Services at the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, and a video will be released each Thursday for the next few weeks.

To view the series, click here
 

Pesticide use poses an even greater health risk to marijuana users 


The transition from very small, individual growers of marijuana to large production has created an incentive for growers to use pesticides on marijuana in states that have now legalized the drug. However, because the federal government does not recognize marijuana as a legal substance, there is a lack of oversight that could prove to be extremely dangerous for users.  

 

Marijuana growers have an incentive to use pesticides that are not approved by the FDA, and have little reason to fear getting caught because not many inspections are being done. Legislation is just beginning to be passed regarding pesticide regulation with marijuana in states that have now legalized it. The current lack of regulation regarding this issues poses an even greater health threat to marijuana users than the already known deleterious effects of using the drug.  

 

Read more in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel  


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In This Issue
Check out our new website!
Change is in the air
Tips to help be a drug-free family
Pesticide use poses an even greater health risk to marijuana users
Event Announcements
END OF SUMMER RECOGNITION LUNCHEON
          August 18
Milwaukee, WI
The Coming Together Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence is hosting an End of Summer Recognition Luncheon. More information available here

FAMILY FUN EVENT AT MILLER PARK

August 15 

Milwaukee, WI 

The Parenting Network is hosting an event at Miller Park. There will be a tailgate before the Brewers game, and a concert by the Goo Goo Dolls will follow afterward. Tickets are $35 with a suggested donation of $60. For more information, contact Mary Jane at 414.671.5575 ext.16 or mjorgensen@theparentinghetw
ork.org.   

 

FATHERHOOD SUMMIT 

August 22, August 29

Milwaukee, WI

Community Advocates is hosting a Fatherhood Summit. Programs include DVR services, Child Support Services, CDLR, Department of Workforce Development, Bottomless Closet, and Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. For more information, contact Tarvus Hawthorne at [email protected].

 

LOW INCOME TAXPAYER CLINIC

Milwaukee, WI 

Legal Action of Wisconsin's Low Income Taxpayer Clinic provides free help to eligible low-income taxpayers on a wide variety of IRS tax matters. More information available here.   

 

Volunteer Opportunities

SISTERFRIENDS VOLUNTEERS  

The Lovell Johnson Quality of Life Center is seeking African-American women to volunteer to pair with one pregnant woman and provide emotional support and guidance as a part of the Milwaukee Birthing Project. They are also seeking African American pregnant teens and women with due dates October through December. Please contact Tenille Washington at [email protected] for more information.

         Brighter Futures
 
The Prevention Journal is brought to you by the Community Advocates Public Policy InstituteFor more information on each of our prevention programs, click on their respective logos above.