Waukesha County CHIP Score Card

Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) ARPA Awards

In alignment with our commitment to enhancing public health, Waukesha County proudly announces the allocation of Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) awards to seven distinguished community agencies.

Through the CHIP process, we are distributing $300,000 to support these agencies in advancing work within key priority areas: mental health, healthy aging, and substance use. This funding is particularly significant as CHIP initiatives are typically unfunded, providing our teams and community partners a unique opportunity to broaden their impact and drive system-level change.

By bolstering the effectiveness of this CHIP cycle, we are fostering more vital collaboration and making meaningful strides toward improved community health.
 

The recipients of these awards are:

• City of Waukesha Parks, Recreation, and Forestry: Offer no-cost Ballroom Basics training to develop a pool of instructors, and free Ballroom Basis classes to improve balance and decrease falls.
• Eras Senior Network: Increase social connections through their Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, weekly phone calls and visits, transportation services, and seasonal yard clean up with students.
• The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System: Decrease falls by making classes more available through an increases in the number of locations offering StrongBodies and an increase in the number of instructors.
• La Casa de Esperanza: Increase social connections through Seniors and Scholars Program. Middle school students will be paired with seniors to conduct podcast interviews, have a monthly “grandparents lunch”, enjoy quarterly game days, a trip to the zoo, and participate in other activities.
• Aurora Health Care: Support the Waukesha County Falls Prevention Coalition by increasing membership in the coalition, promote community wide awareness and access to fall screening through resource distribution and participation in community events. They will also educate and train the healthcare workforce on evidence-based strategies to prevent falls.
• Wisconsin Community Services: Hire and support a fulltime certified peer specialist to offer a continuum of care for adults with opioid use disorder who complete Drug Treatment Court, Waukesha County CPS programming, DOC supervision, those involved with the Day Report Center, and self-referred, recently released individuals. They will also educate 12 community organizations about certified peer specialists and reduce overdoses of individuals receiving peer services.
• NAMI: Enhance outreach and educational impact within schools through Ending the Silence expansion, increase capacity of the Lighthouse project which helps link families to resources, and promote 9-8-8 through a marketing campaign.

Why Is This Important?

Ensuring the safety of individuals aged 60 and above in Waukesha County from falls is paramount. Falls pose a significant risk to older adults, often resulting in severe injuries and a decline in overall health. We can enhance their well-being and quality of life by implementing targeted measures to prevent falls among this population. Strategies may include home modifications, exercise programs, educational campaigns, and regular health assessments. These initiatives aim to identify potential fall hazards, improve strength and balance, raise awareness about risk factors, and encourage appropriate interventions. By prioritizing fall prevention for seniors in Waukesha County, we create an environment where they can age safely, maintain independence, and enjoy an active and fulfilling lifestyle without the fear of debilitating falls.

Health Aging Team

Health Aging Team Chairs:

• Sarah Butz, Director of Community Benefit, ProHealth Care
• Mary Smith, ADRC Manager, Waukesha County HHS
• Dave Carroll, PhD, LP, Assistant Clinical Professor of Behavioral Health Psychology, Carroll University 

Healthy Aging Action Team Members:

Why Is This Important?

Ensuring social connections among all individuals in Waukesha County is incredibly important, as it directly impacts their health. Connectedness, or the state of being socially engaged and supported, plays a significant role in the well-being and quality of life of all people and especially older adults. By fostering and maintaining social connections, there is a direct positive impact on our health, and by combating feelings of social isolation and loneliness we can maintain a strong sense of well-being, purpose, belonging, and our emotional health. Social connections provide opportunities for companionship, active participation, and support in times of need, and they enable seniors to stay involved in their communities and reduce the risk of a wide variety of health and mental health issues. Moreover, social connections allow seniors to share experiences, wisdom, and mutual assistance, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Prioritizing social connections for older adults in Waukesha County creates a more inclusive and thriving community, where everyone can age with better health and well-being.

Health Aging Team

Health Aging Team Chairs:

• Sarah Butz, Director of Community Benefit, ProHealth Care
• Mary Smith, ADRC Manager, Waukesha County HHS
• Dave Carroll, PhD, LP, Assistant Clinical Professor of Behavioral Health Psychology, School of Education & Human Services, Carroll University 

Healthy Aging Action Team Members:

Why Is This Important?

Improving access to mental health services and knowledge of resources for adolescents in Waukesha County is crucial for early intervention, reducing stigma, promoting academic success, fostering healthy development, enhancing community well-being, preventing long-term issues, supporting families, reducing health disparities, ensuring public safety, and building resilience. This investment benefits individuals and the community by creating a more supportive and mentally healthy environment.

Mental Health Team

Mental Health Team Chairs:

• Amanda Wisth, Manager of Community Benefit & Impact, Froedtert HealthMary Smith, ADRC Manager, Waukesha County HHS
• Amanda Huber, Supervisor, Waukesha County HHS 
• Daniel Shine, Community Outreach & Education Manager, NAMI
• Dhruvi Shah, Epidemiologist, Waukesha County HHS

Substance Use Action Team Members:

Why Is This Important?

The importance of providing access to life-saving interventions for people who use opioids or are in recovery for opioid use in Waukesha County cannot be overstated. Opioid use and addiction have become a significant public health concern, with devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Further, too often services are not made available for those who are still active in their use which is when they tend to need the services most.

Access to life-saving interventions, such as naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal medication) and medication-assisted treatment (MAT), can significantly reduce the risk of fatal opioid overdoses and support individuals on their path to recovery. These interventions have proven to be effective in saving lives and improving health outcomes for people struggling with opioid addiction. By ensuring that residents in this age group have access to these interventions, Waukesha County can make a meaningful impact in addressing the opioid crisis. Prompt administration of naloxone during an overdose can reverse the effects of opioids and prevent death, providing a critical window of opportunity for individuals to seek further treatment and support. Medication-assisted treatment, which combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies, can help individuals manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and improve overall recovery outcomes.

Access to life-saving interventions not only saves lives but also offers hope and support to individuals and their families during challenging times. It helps to break the cycle of addiction, reduce the burden on emergency medical services, and promote a healthier and safer community overall. Therefore, ensuring access to life-saving interventions for residents aged 18-44 who use opioids or are in recovery is crucial in addressing the opioid crisis and promoting the well-being of individuals and the community as a whole.

Substance Use Team

Substance Use Team Chairs:

• Brea Lopez, Integrated Services Supervisor, Waukesha County HHS
• Hailey Nenonen, Community Outreach Manager Aurora Health Care
• Sara Carpenter, Vice-President, Wisconsin Community Services
• Stephanie Engle, Overdose Fatality Review Social Worker, Waukesha County HHS

Substance Use Action Team Members:

Why Is This Important?

People who use or are in recovery for substance use are at an increased likelihood to have difficulties managing finances, especially housing. To compound the issue, housing in Waukesha County is more expensive than both surrounding counties and comparable counties. Housing first initiatives have proven the importance of stable and affordable housing on substance use treatment. 

Substance Use Team

Substance Use Team Chairs:

• Brea Lopez, Integrated Services Supervisor, Waukesha County HHS
• Hailey Nenonen, Community Outreach Manager Aurora Health Care
• Sara Carpenter, Vice-President, Wisconsin Community Services
• Stephanie Engle, Overdose Fatality Review Social Worker, Waukesha County HHS

Substance Use Action Team Members: