CONTACT: Anne Pankratz, apankratz2@wisc.edu, 608.216.5637
The Wisconsin Partnership Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health has awarded nearly $400,000 to eight community-driven projects with innovative ideas to improve health equity in Wisconsin. The grants were awarded through the Partnership Program’s new Community Catalyst grant program, designed specifically to give a boost to new community-based ideas to improve health. This year’s inaugural awards focus on a wide range of topics including: addiction awareness, support for veterans, incarceration, care for postpartum Latina mothers and more. The awarded projects span 24 months.
Bringing Addiction Awareness to Schools
The WisconsinEye Public Affairs Network was awarded $50,000 to create and distribute a curriculum statewide for its film “Straight Forward: The Truth about Addiction.” The documentary features five young Wisconsinites of diverse backgrounds who share their stories of opioid and heroin addiction and recovery. Through the project, Wisconsin middle and high schools will have the opportunity to show the film and use the accompanying curriculum. The project’s ultimate goal is to create awareness about Wisconsin’s addiction crisis and empower young people and their families with information and inspiration to live sober and successful lives.
Expanding Mental Health Services for Veterans
Great Lakes Dryhootch has received $50,000 to support development of The Dryhootch Digital Forward Operating Base (DigitalFOB), a cloud-based solution to the increasing demand from veterans for non-clinical, peer-based mental health services. DigitalFOB will offer a secure, confidential space in which veterans and family members can connect virtually with other veterans and family members. The service aims to reach veterans across the state and has the potential to reach beyond Wisconsin as well.
