WCS Connection November & December 2021 |
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From the desk of the WCS Executive Director: |
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The Year in Review
It is hard to believe that we are on the precipice of bringing 2021 to a close and welcoming in 2022 and all of the anticipation, hope and promise that each new year seems to bring with it. Suffice it to say, 2021 has had its ups and downs. From both a local and national perspective, we have witnessed progress and setbacks. For Wisconsin Community Services there are a number of programs, services and initiatives that were launched in 2021. All of them, we believe, consistent with our mission to advance justice, community safety, and provide innovative opportunities to help individuals overcome adversity. The following is a listing of services, and initiatives that were launched in 2021 in our efforts to respond to community needs and strengthen our impact in the community.
Purchase of the Former Employ Milwaukee Building in Milwaukee: WCS purchased the former Employ Milwaukee building located at 2610 W. North Avenue. The purchase was made to create space for new WCS programs and the additional staff needed. The purchase also confirms the commitment of WCS to locate programs and staff in high need and under served Milwaukee neighborhoods and communities. Employ Milwaukee remains an anchor tenant in the building and we are proud to be a major partner in their efforts to provide innovative Workforce Development Services.
Swigart House Supportive Housing Program: Opened in March of 2021, the Swigart House Supportive Housing Program serves up to 24 male residents at a time. While staying at the facility they receive substance use services and other programming at the Milwaukee County Day Reporting Center. The focus of the program is to improve an individual's functioning in the community, overall prospects for wellness and recovery, and reduce the likelihood of re-incarceration. The program is operated in partnership with the Milwaukee area Division of Community Corrections and the state Department of Corrections.
Hub and Spoke Health Home: The Hub and Spoke Health Home program, located at the WCS North Avenue Milwaukee Campus, was opened in June as part of an effort by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to create a Medicaid Health Home using a Hub and Spoke model. The program serves individuals with severe substance use needs and are experiencing or at a high risk for chronic physical and/or mental health needs. The program has the capacity to serve over 300 individuals. WCS serves as the Hub agency and works with several community partner organizations serving as spokes.
Launching of Peer Specialists Limited: In July, WCS created a peer corporation called Peer Specialists Limited (PSL). The vision for creating PSL is to provide a voice and leadership opportunities for persons with lived experience who are in recovery from mental health and substance use concerns. The majority of PSL board members have lived experience and all of the staff will be peer specialists with lived experience. PSL will help to fill the void for peer lead peer run organizations.
Youth Comprehensive Community Services in Waukesha County: In September, WCS entered into an agreement with the Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services to provide Youth Advocate-CCS services. The services focus on activities that support the youth with their mental health and/or substance use conditions to achieve their highest level of independent functioning, stability and independence to facilitate recovery. The program is designed to serve approximately 30 to 35 youth on an annual basis
The 2021 year was another busy period for WCS and continues our efforts to work in partnership with others to meet community needs. None of this would be possible without our dedicated and passionate staff who provide the very best services and are committed to supporting the growth and development of children, youth, adults and families in our community. |
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Introducing a New WCS Board Member
Last month WCS was pleased to welcome a new member to its Board of Directors, Shannon Ross. Shannon is the Founder and Executive Director of The Community, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit that fosters the full ability of people with criminal records by showcasing their successes and humanity. From 19 to 36 years old, Shannon spent time in the Wisconsin state prison system. He created The Community in 2014 with the assistance of family and friends while obtaining his bachelor’s degree in business administration. Over the years Shannon has had several occupations, and is now recognizable for his current roles at the Wisconsin Decarceration Platform, Employ Milwaukee, Marquette University, and the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Shannon is also a successful non-fiction writer of several works including With Organ Donations, Let Prisoners Give Life to Others, Unpalatable Truths about Criminal Justice Reform, and College Behind Bars. In the midst of all of his amazing work, Shannon still finds time to host a podcast titled “All In Wisconsin”, a show geared toward promoting greater collaboration in the reentry-reform-decarceration ecosystem in Wisconsin and showcasing the successes, humanity, and agency of people with criminal records. Most recently, Shannon received the Elijah O’Neil Award of Excellence from Project Return. We are honored to have Shannon join our Board of Directors! |
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First a WCS Program Participant, Now a WCS Employee
Not too long-ago Dwayne Mack was a program participant at the Joshua Glover Residential Reentry Center, a program of WCS. He was a model resident who was supportive of others, and successfully completed the program, securing a job at a local restaurant so he could support himself. After leaving the Center, Dwayne remained in touch with the staff and would ask if he could return to the Center and talk to the residents. His passion to return to where he once was a program participant and talk to others was very uncommon. His dedication and the recommendation of WCS staff, led Dwayne to go through peer support specialist training. Upon completion he was hired by WCS as a Peer Support Specialist! He now works at the same place where he once was a program participant, the Joshua Glover Residential Reentry Center, as well as the WCS ED2 Recovery+ Program. Dwayne’s amazing journey recently earned him a “Correcting the Narrative Award” presented by The Community. With this success, Dwayne is on his way towards better and brighter future. |
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The holiday season often brings additional stress and worries for the loved ones of individuals in recovery.
Certified Peer Support Specialist Ashley Beller from our Hub & Spoke program shares some helpful tips on how you can support loved ones in active addiction. See her special holiday right here! |
| Tips on How Sober People Can Support Their Loved Ones in Active Addiction: Holiday Edition By Ashley Beller, Hub & Spoke Certified Peer Support Specialist
In the recovery world us addicts call the non-addict folks “normies.” So, normies, this article is for you. The holidays are a difficult time for many people. When you add in the element of dread about a potential relapse, or your loved one continuing to use, it makes the season of giving, the season of stress. First big tip: bear in mind that none of us possess the power to prevent anyone from using or relapsing. We can only offer advice, a listening ear, and support. These are among the most important things you can provide for an addicted person. Family members and friends often experience or harbor shame and guilt from not being able to stop a relapse. No need to torture yourself this way, you are doing the best you can, and this is a sign that your efforts have not gone unrecognized.
As we know, the disease of addiction resides in a singular being, but greatly affects everyone around them. Second tip: don’t set yourself up for emotional failure and disaster by hoping relapse won’t occur, and the holidays will be perfect this year. If you accept situations as they come, you won’t be as stressed this season. Stress is the number one trigger for relapse. Our quality of life is directly related to our level of acceptance. This brings us to the third tip, SET BOUNDARIES. You can’t love someone out of addiction, if you love them too much (enabling), it could kill them. Instead of enabling the addict, set firm boundaries and stick to them. Be realistic with your time and remember that you deserve self-care. You don’t need to attend every single holiday party or spend money outside of your means to please others. The more you take care of yourself, the better you will be able to provide care for your loved ones. Especially those who are suffering from addiction.
Fourth & Final Tip: Remove Judgement & Give Patience. To become shame resilient, we have to be honest. The fear of judgement makes honesty seem impossible, especially for an addict that’s actively using. Your patience and love will go a long way. Instead of judging, try asking. Try to understand and be empathetic. Addiction touches two thirds of families. You didn’t cause the addiction, and there was nothing you could have done to prevent it.
If you’re interested in learning more about supporting those in active addiction or recovery, please visit www.al-anon.org. |
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Career Opportunities at WCS
WCS is searching for passionate and hard-working individuals to fill the following positions:
Care Coordinator – Wraparound Program If you are a kind and empathetic team player who wishes to help youth and young adults with identified mental health and life needs, then this is the job for you! The Care Coordinator will work with participants in the Wraparound Program to assist them through the court ordered programs of REACH and O’Yeah. You will monitor the quality of services that the participants are receiving, be an advocate for them across a variety of settings, and seek community resources to assist them while in the program. Qualified candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area education or human services and a minimum of one year of experience providing mental health services and complete 85 hours of mandatory training the Wraparound philosophy and policies.
Case Manager - Community Support Program We are looking for an organized, independent, compassionate individual who has experience working with individuals who have mental health needs to take on the role as a Case Manager in the Community Support Program. The Case Manager will provide treatment planning, symptom management, medication monitoring, and crisis intervention to participants in the program who have serious and persistent mental health needs and co-occurring substance use. Qualified applicants must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a behavioral science; sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic, and disability issues; and knowledge of the DSM V and psychotropic medications and their side effects.
GPS/SCRAM Technician – Electronic Monitoring Program WCS is a premier provider of 24/7/365 electronic monitoring services and we want your help in the Electronic Monitoring Program. As a GPS/SCRAM Technician you will have the responsibility of all technical functions regarding the program. This includes installation of electronic devices, technical maintenance, assistance with inventory control, and de-installations of devices. You will also provide management support on a daily basis for program participants in Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Manitowoc Counties, as well as where there is demand. An associate’s degree in criminal justice or related field is required; a strong preference for case management experience.
Youth Care Worker - Youth Shelter Care Are you passionate about working with youth and want to serve as a mentor? Then this position is for you. The Youth Care Worker provides supervision of the individuals placed in the Youth Shelter Care Program. This includes implementing the daily schedule of activities, providing group educational activities, recreational activities, following up individually with youth, and serving as a mentor and role model for youth. Applicants need to have at least three years of experience with youth. |
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Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. 3732 West Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 320 Milwaukee, WI 53208 Phone: 414-290-0400 Fax: 414-271-4605
Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. (WCS) advocates for justice and community safety, providing innovative opportunities for individuals to overcome adversity.
WCS is a 501(c) 3 non-profit agency that provides services in southeastern Wisconsin. WCS has been serving the community successfully for over 100 years. |
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