Archive: Jul - Sep 2022 | Wisconsin Partners

UPDATES + ANNOUNCEMENTS

"Wisconsin Partners continues to be a source of connectivity and professional development that weaves in and out of my leadership responsibilities at work and my personal interests more broadly." – Sam Wilson, former State Director of AARP Wisconsin

Jul - Sep 2022

This year, Wisconsin Partners is diving into housing, with the understanding that housing is critical for thriving communities. We have been meeting regularly to explore this topic from a multi-sector, asset-based approach. By the end of the year, we hope to identify opportunities for collaboration and action.
- In February, we looked at data and trends within housing around the state.
- In March, we spotlighted statewide solutions proposed by WISCAP, RWHC, AARP, and NAMI.
- In June, we spotlighted community-based solutions: farmworker housing through SWCAP, Door County Community Land Trust, Red Caboose / Movin' Out collaboration, A Home of Our Own / Prairie Haus, and Richland Economic Development.

Wisconsin Partners is working with the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association to engage parents, grandparents, and other primary caregivers who are struggling with child care in any way. We know that some common challenges include long waitlists, high costs, and limited options. If you are a parent and want your voice to be heard, please contact rlpeller@wisconsinpartners.org

Through our involvement in the Civic Health Initiative, we are helping to launch a pilot version of Neighbor to Neighbor: Reuniting Wisconsinites to Eat, Play, and Serve Together, a week of dedicated connection in our communities. Participants can create art, play sports, volunteer, share a meal, have a conversation, or take a walk - the goal is to connect in a way that you enjoy. More info coming soon!

Internally, we continue to host regular huddles for staff from member associations working on similar types of work: Policy and Governmental Affairs, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Communications and Outreach, and Membership. These are informal spaces for staff to connect across sectors, share best practices, and identify alignment and collaboration opportunities.

Upcoming events

Browse past updates

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS

NAMI Wisconsin

Arts Wisconsin is now Create Wisconsin!
AARP Wisconsin has hired Martha Cranley as their new State Director!
GWAAR has hired John Schnabl as their new Executive Director!
Gov. Evers has appointed Elmer Moore, Jr as new WHEDA CEO and Executive Director!

Rural WI Health Cooperative

Upcoming VIRTUAL Training Opportunities Open to Non-Members:

July 14 - Coaching for Performance: “Effective coaching is essential to getting the best out of your employees. How long is long enough to coach someone? What if they cry or get defensive when I bring up an issue? How do I keep from getting derailed by someone who tries to turn the tables on me? These and many more questions will be explored and you will leave with a plan for coaching in your own style with skill and confidence.” Register at: https://bit.ly/3HIx1ve
July 26 & 27 - Growing in Change Leadership (2-part): “Join us for this two-part webinar to grow as a change leader! In today’s quickly changing environment, leaders need to be mindful of how their own behaviors, attitude and actions impact those around them. From this awareness, you are called to take action and move your employees, departments and organization forward. Join us to explore how to best use your strengths to achieve success with your team and within your organization.” Register at: https://bit.ly/3zNGOOn

Wisconsin Early Childhood Association

WEESSN: With an influx of local, state and federal funding, the Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network continues to expand, totaling 1,431 members in June, a 43% quarterly increase. WEESSN’s broad outreach efforts target the full range of early care and education providers and work to ensure they reap the benefits of the WISER platform as well as individualized coaching and software support.
Advocacy: WECA and Raising Wisconsin collected signatures to a letter for Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to encourage her support of child care in the federal reconciliation bill, which would increase funding to the existing Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Head Start programs, and with the Murray-Kaine proposal, would allow Wisconsin to support an additional 24,000 children from low-income backgrounds.
WECA and Raising Wisconsin continue to partner with Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) and Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) to organize forums that bring together state legislators with employers and economic leaders to highlight child care’s impact on the workforce and economy.
T.E.A.C.H. & REWARD programs are expanding this summer! REWARD will be able to support a majority of the state’s early childhood educators at higher stipend amounts, and T.E.A.C.H. changes will make qualifying educational pathways nearly free for professionals pursuing credit-based education. The T.E.A.C.H. application deadline for the fall semester is Friday, July 1. Apply here.
WECA has a number of job openings.
The WECA Virtual Annual Conference returns September 29th to October 1st! We are pleased to offer a range of informative and engaging keynotes, breakouts and interactive sessions through the theme, “Cultivating Connections.”

WISCAP

WISCAP Agencies have distributed over $160M in emergency rent assistance. To refer a household to the Wisconsin Emergency Rent Assistance (WERA) program, find your local agency.
In early March, the WI Help for Homeowners Program was launched. To apply, or for program info, click here.
We are also partnering in building a cross sector affordable housing plan and ultimately an action network. Our first meeting was June 29 via Zoom and was facilitated by Fair Housing Council of Greater Milwaukee, WISCAP, and AbleLight.
WISCAP’s annual Poverty Matters Conference will be held October 18-19 at Madison Marriott West in Middleton, WI.

The NAMI Wisconsin Resource Guide was recently updated with more up-to-date information, guidance, and resources to help people who are affected by mental illness navigate the mental health system. To access a digital copy of the guide or to request a printed copy, visit namiwisconsin.org/resource-guide
Call for Art! NAMI Wisconsin is looking for artwork to showcase at the 16th Annual Healing Art Show in October 2022 in honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week! Each year, NAMI Wisconsin hosts the Healing Art Show to raise awareness and break down the stigma surrounding mental illness. Please complete our online application at namiwisconsin.org/healing-art-show by Sunday, August 21st for consideration.
Mental Health Trained Officers are in Wisconsin to Help: NAMI Wisconsin has been spreading awareness about Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) trained officers in Wisconsin who are trained to respond to mental health crisis calls. These efforts have included billboards, social media ads, and a partnership with WPR.
CIT Symposium: NAMI Wisconsin hosted our first CIT symposium in June with over 100 law enforcement officers from across the state to share updates and dive into advanced trainings.

Feeding Wisconsin

Wisconsin Council of Churches

Our post Hunger and Health Summit page is live. From there you can navigate to photos, general session videos, the agenda, handouts and most importantly, session decks for download on the page.
We are hiring a Statewide FoodShare Outreach Program Manager. We're hiring a data-driven, outcome motivated, ending hunger ambassador to help us manage, coordinate, and support our statewide FoodShare/SNAP Outreach program. Come join our team!
We have launched our Tribal Elder Food Box program for this season. This program works to purchase primarily Native and Wisconsin produced product to distribute mixed produce, protein, and shelf-stable food boxes to Elders of all 11 Federally recognized Native Nations.

Wisconsin Council of Churches

WCC and NAMI are releasing videos on empathetic listening featuring church leaders around the state teaching concrete skills of how to talk to others about vaccines and other difficult topics.
WCC is creating tools to help community gather and process some of the grief experienced over the past several years.
WCC hosted a gun violence vigil in Madison and supported others across the state. We continue to advocate for legislation to prevent gun violence and are working on creative responses to build safer communities.

United Way of Wisconsin

211 Wisconsin established a searchable 211 database guide of COVID-19 related resources. People are facing the burden of the pandemic’s financial disruption and loss of critical services, while organizations and businesses are also navigating a new norm. 211 Wisconsin is working closely with state and local health officials to provide up-to-date information to the general public about the virus, and resources available. Whether you want to learn more about COVID-19, need help paying bills, are trying to find food, child care, or emotional support, 211 Wisconsin is there to identify information and resources to help.
United Way of Wisconsin is partnering with Building Our Future and Higher Expectations for Racine County to expand access to Bright by Text in Wisconsin. Bright by Text is a national parent texting program that puts expert tips, games and activities, and child development information directly into the hands of parents and caregivers, with content focused on pre-birth through age eight. There will be opportunities in the coming months for connection and partnership to deliver statewide and local messaging content to parents and communities. You can contact Katie McMullen if you’d like to learn more.