February 1, 2016
ISSUE 6-3
              

We thank you for reading this edition of the Prevention Journal! As always, please keep us informed of your coming events, job opportunities, grant availability, and other activities. Your ideas and feedback are welcomed.

Yours in prevention,
Elysse Chay Wageman
Prevention Services Manager, Public Policy Institute
Milwaukee Mentoring Forum recap
Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Darienne Driver, Milwaukee Bucks Representatives, NBA Representative, Bob Lanier along with local and national leaders from President Obama's My Brother's Keeper initative, discussed the mentoring landscape in Milwaukee at a Mentoring Forum on Thursday, January 14th at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The objective of the forum was to identity gaps in mentoring services across Milwaukee to ensure that every young person has access to a mentor. Check out the full coverage here.
This February, start talking about healthy relationships
Encourage respectful, healthy relationships for Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month in February! Find out more about how you can participate and contribute hereYour voice will join the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), leaders, organizations, violence prevention professionals, and people who empowering youth to make relationships healthy!
Who are America's adolescents?
Adolescents are generally healthy; however, they face challenges to their health and well-being that are different from those of children and adults. The OAH website's new feature, America's Adolescents, profiles who America's adolescents are, what they do, and what health issues they face. Check out this feature on the Office of Adolescent Health (OAH) website.
2015 Tobacco compliance checks results reveal great need in Milwaukee
Wisconsin WINS is a state-level initiative aimed to decrease youth access to tobacco products. In the City of Milwaukee Community Advocates performs the compliance checks through its City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance in partnership with local youth and the Milwaukee Police Department. The above picture represents some of the products illegally sold to the youth in 2015.
While it's illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase tobacco in Wisconsin, results from the WI WINS Tobacco Compliance checks completed in 2015 reveal that it's far too easy for minors to walk away with illegally-sold tobacco products in the City of Milwaukee.
 
Milwaukee youth involved with WI WINS checks conducted by the City of Milwaukee Tobacco Free Alliance last year were able to purchase tobacco products at a rate of nearly 27 percent-a concerning 4 percent increase from the 2014 rate and far higher than the average statewide buy rate, which is consistently within single digit percentages. And as evident in the products obtained during the checks (photo below), these products undoubtedly appeal to youth with bright colors and candy flavors.

Smoking remains the number one cause of preventable deaths in the US and in Wisconsin and when youth have ready access to tobacco, there are higher rates of use. The City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance will increase the amount of checks conducted in 2016 and will also provide trainings for clerks and retailers about the importance of helping future generations avoid future addiction by keeping tobacco out of their hands. For additional information, contact Coalition Coordinator, Deb Heffner at [email protected] or visit https://www.smokecheck.org.
MCSAP supports Light & Unite RED campaign
MCSAP coalition members wore red to kick off the Light & Unite RED campaign. The campaign's purpose is to put a spotlight on the dangers of substance abuse and unite the community to engage in prevention, encourage treatment, and support recovery.

The Light & Unite RED campaign coincided with National Drug Facts Week, in which each day information about drugs will be shared. Each day focused on one of the following: Prescription drugs/heroin; Marijuana; Synthetic drugs; Alcohol; and Tobacco/E-cigarettes.
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In This Issue
Index ranks Milwaukee in top third of cities for fostering black male achievement
This February, start talking about healthy relationships
Milwaukee gun deaths equivalent to ten San Bernadinos
Index ranks Milwaukee in top third of cities for fostering black male achievement
MCSAP supports Light & Unite RED campaign
Event Announcements
MENTAL HEALTH IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
Feb. 4, 7:30-9pm
Milwaukee, WI
African-Americans experience unique challenges and barriers that make seeking mental health services a greater challenge. Our diverse panel aims to shed light on ways by which we can promote mental health recovery and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. This panel will be held at the Alumni Fireside Lounge in the UWM Student Union.

OPENING DOORS TO COLLEGE FOR FOSTER YOUTH
Feb. 10, 10-11:30am
Milwaukee, WI
This webcast will review the process and resources available to help foster youth and other at-risk populations access postsecondary education and training at Wisconsin Technical, UW or Private nonprofit institutions. 
Please register in advance here.

YOUTH SUMMIT ON GUN VIOLENCE
Feb. 25
Milwaukee, WI
Informational flyer available here.

SAFE HEALTHY STRONG 2016
March 17-18
Milwaukee, WI
SHS 2016 was created to meet the needs of those working to make a difference in the sexual and reproductive health of youth, adults, elders, & families. More information and registration available online.

SUMMIT ON HEALTHY TEEN RELATIONSHIPS
April 4
Wisconsin Dells, WI
More information available here. Scholarship application available here and due February 19.

MILWAUKEE CAN SUPPORT GROUP
Ongoing
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee CAN (Change Addiction Now) is a support group for anyone whose life has been affected by substance use and/or addiction. We recognize that this disease impacts not only those with the addiction, but also their friends and family. If you have similar life experiences, please join us. Milwaukee Area CAN meets on the 2nd Monday of every month, 6:00 PM to 7:30 at the Shorewood Library 3920 N. Murray Ave., Shorewood, WI.
Job Announcements
FOSTERING FUTURES DIRECTOR
The Fostering Futures (FF) Collaborative is accepting applications for a Director to join its leadership team and direct its statewide programming. More information here.

PAID ARTWORKS INTERNSHIPS
More information here.

PATCH PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Wisconsin Alliance for Women's Health (WAWH) is hiring for a Milwaukee PATCH Program Coordinator. More information here.
         Brighter Futures
 
The Prevention Journal is brought to you by the Community Advocates Public Policy Institute . For more information on each of our prevention programs, click on their respective logos above.