Symposium explores state policy changes needed to improve mental health and addiction treatment

A panel of leading mental health and addiction treatment experts in Milwaukee County will discuss the major statewide policy changes needed to improve treatment in Wisconsin during the Making Parity Real symposium.

Making Parity Real, the first in a statewide series, will be held from 8 a.m.-noon Monday, Nov. 23 at the Medical College of Wisconsin Alumni Hall (8701 Watertown Plank Rd.). Attendance is free but registration is required. For more information or to register visit www.MakingParityReal.org.

Panelists will explore issues such as the quantity, cultural competency and location of treatment providers; the adequacy of public and private funding sources; and the ability of non- medical providers to administer treatment.

Wisconsin Rep. Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay) and David R. Riemer, Director of the Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, will moderate discussion, with Milwaukee County District Attorney John T. Chisholm delivering closing remarks.

Lecture on the MAAFA in the 21 century at Coffee Makes U Black November 22

Black Genocide in 21st Century America will be the subject of a lecture Sunday, November 22 at 4 p.m. at Coffee Makes U Black, 2803 North Teutonia Avenue. They were stolen from their homes, locked in chains and taken across an ocean. And for more than 200 years, their blood and sweat would help to build the richest and most powerful nation the world has ever known. But when slavery ended, their welcome was over. America’s wealthy elite had decided it was time for them to disappear and they were not particular about how it might be done.

What you are about to see is that the plan these people set in motion 150 years ago is still being carried out to this day. So don’t think that this is history. It is not. This is happening right here and it is happening right now. To RSVP, call 562-5225.

The Salvation Army Needs 1,400 Volunteers for Christmas Toy Shop

Wauwatosa -- The Salvation Army Christmas Toy Shop bags nearly 100,000 toys every Christmas and is in need of 350 volunteers per day on Thursday, December 17; Friday, December 18; Saturday, December 19 and Monday, December 21, 2009. The Christmas Toy Shop is located at 5880 N. 60thSt. Volunteers will help parents select toys, sort toys and restock. To volunteer visit our website at www.SAmilwaukee.org or call our volunteer coordinator, Joy Alexander, at 414-302-4300 x2163. Volunteers are not eligible to receive toys.

Seasonal Flu Vaccination Clinics resume with replenished supply of vaccine

Seasonal flu vaccination clinics administered by the Aurora Visiting Nurse Association resumed November 18 after the service was suspended a month ago because of delays in shipments from vaccine manufacturers.

The clinics will take place at community locations throughout eastern Wisconsin.

“We are very pleased to have received all of the vaccine originally ordered,” said Lisa Taylor, R.N., coordinator of the VNA’s Shoo the Flu clinics. “The seasonal flu usually does not peak until January or February, so people still have plenty of time to get a seasonal flu shot.”

Shipments of seasonal flu vaccine were disrupted as vaccine suppliers switched production to the H1N1 vaccine, which created shortages of seasonal flu vaccine throughout the country.

Cost for a seasonal flu vaccination is $30 when paying by cash or check, and pneumonia shots are $45. Medicare Part B and Medicaid are accepted as payment.

Aurora Health Care has a single flu Web site that provides background information about the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu as well as where you can find flu immunizations throughout Aurora.

Just log on to www.Aurora.org/flu to find an Aurora Pharmacy, doctor’s office, Aurora QuickCare or Aurora Visiting Nurse Association Shoo the Flu clinic near you. Shoo the Flu & Pneumonia Too! clinics scheduled for the Milwaukee area include:

Thursday, November 19
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Aurora Health Center, 7220 W. National Ave., West Allis
3 – 7 p.m. at Sendik’s Food Market, 13425 Watertown Plank Rd., Elm Grove
3 – 7 p.m. at Aurora Health Center, W231N1440 Corporate Ct., Waukesha

Friday, November 20
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Aurora Pharmacy, 2700 S. 60th St., Milwaukee

Saturday, November 21
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Aurora Health Center, 6901 W. Edgerton Ave., Greenfield
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Aurora VNA, 11333 W. National Ave., West Allis

Saturday, November 28
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Aurora VNA, 11333 W. National Ave., West Allis

Monday, November 30
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Aurora Pharmacy, 13175 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield

Tuesday, December 1
3 – 7 p.m. at Majdecki’s Sentry, 10282 W. National Ave., West Allis

Wednesday, December 2
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Aurora Pharmacy – Aurora Credit Union, 3355 W. Forest Home Ave., Milwaukee

Thursday, December 3
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Aurora Health Center, W231N1440 Corporate Ct., Waukesha

Saturday, December 5
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Sentry, 7101 W. Lisbon Ave., Milwaukee
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Aurora VNA, 11333 W. National Ave., West Allis

The Aurora Visiting Nurse Association recommends following common-sense rules of hygiene and health care to avoid getting the flu:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Discard the tissue immediately.

• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often, especially after coughing or sneezing.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Avoid contact with sick people.

• Get plenty of sleep.

• Eat a well-balanced diet.

• Drink plenty of fluids.

• Participate in physical activity and avoid stress as much as possible.

Milwaukee’s Adoption Day Celebration November 20

Milwaukee County Children’s Court Judiciary, Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin and the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare will host an Adoption Day celebration Friday, November 20 starting at 8:45 a.m. at the Milwaukee County Children’s Court Center, 10201 Watertown Plank Road in Wauwatosa.

Several adoptions will take place. Pre-interviews and additional insight into the families are available prior to the event.

Adoptive families will also be available for photo opportunities at an afternoon reception at Discovery World. Contact us for more information.

November is recognized as National Adoption Awareness Month. Adoption means finding a permanent home for children.

Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin finalized the adoption of more than 250 Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare foster children in 2008.

Since 2001, Children’s Service Society has finalized the adoption of nearly 3,200 children.

Partnering to Reach out to Veterans

Dr. Michael McBride speaks to representatives of several local community service organizations to refer veterans they see to the VA if they see vets suffering from medical or mental health challenges.

In the next three to four months, a large number of service men and women will return to the Milwaukee area from the Middle East.

Some of them will bring with them medical and psychological challenges as they try to make the difficult adjustment back to civilian life.

A number of local community service organizations are looking to work with the Veterans Affairs (VA) office to provide the help the vets need to transition back to home life.

Dr. Michael McBride of the Milwaukee area VA facility spoke to the representatives at the Social Development Commission on Veterans Day.

Dr. McBride told the groups that “you will see many veterans before I do," noting that many vets do not avail themselves of the treatment facilities at the VA that they have earned through their service to our country.

Dr. McBride asked the community organizations and programs to refer veterans to the VA if they appear to be suffering from medical or mental health challenges.

Members of the groups asked how they can best let veterans know about their services that could also help them ease back into civilian life.

The VA doctor suggested holding a presentation by the groups for VA staff so they could learn about each other’s resources and how best to make them available.

McBride said that a large number of service men and women is expected to come home next January and February and that the community needs to be ready to help ease the move from the Battle Zone to the Comfort Zone.

To reach the Milwaukee area Veterans Affairs office for more information on their services, call 414-384-2000 during regular business hours.