Advocacy & Alerts

BACKGROUND

The State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee (SDMAC) Vaccine Subcommittee has developed recommendations for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to consider regarding which groups should be given priority in the next phase of vaccine distribution, which is referred to as 1b prioritization. The draft of the recommendations are available at this link, Wisconsin Public Meeting Notices and Minutes – Department of Administration.

Click here for an accessible PDF of the SDMAC Vaccine Subcommittee recommendations for 1b Prioritization.

I have listed below some of the groups that the Advisory Committee recommended to be prioritized in the 1b distribution.  If you agree with these recommendations, this is an important time to submit your comments in support.

Some of the groups prioritized by the Advisory Committee include:

• People above 70 years of age.
• IRIS and family Care recipients.
• Facility staff and residents of congregate settings. See the details in the definition. The definition includes housing serving those with age or disability, shelters, transitional housing, and incarcerated individuals, and those in mental health institutes.  (the current language does not specify state and county mental health facilities, but that could be suggested in public comment).
• Public facing essential workers (listed in the document).

 

TAKE ACTION NOW

The recommendations are out now for public comment.

• Submit your comments to DHSSDMAC@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
• Include “vaccine subcommittee” and “Phase 1B” in the email subject line.
• The public comment period will close at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, January 18, 2021.

The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors held their annual Public Hearing on the County Budget on Friday October 30^th.  Information about the hearing is posted on the Board of Supervisors website pages.  Share this testimony regarding our priorities for the 2021 budget.  Note that the 2021 budget for behavioral health services was approved earlier this year by the Milwaukee County Mental Health Board.

County Executive David Crowley has released his recommended budget for 2021.  You can view the proposed budget here.   The Mental Health Task Force Steering Committee is reviewing the budget and will share our priorities soon. The County budget provides funding for mental health services, transportation, housing, disability services, services for older adults, and for youth and adults in the justice system.

• We encourage you to get involved and share your priorities with your County Supervisor.  You can find your supervisor here: https://www.findyourcountysupervisor.com/
• Attend a Listening Session with Chairwoman Nicholson to share your priorities: https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Board-of-Supervisors/Members/Marcelia-Nicholson-5th-District

Here is the Mental Health Task Force September testimony on department budget requests, shared with the County Executive at the September 8^th budget hearing.

In 2014, the Milwaukee County Mental Health Board was created by 2013 Wisconsin Act 203 to oversee the provision of mental health functions and services in Milwaukee County.  There is currently an open position on the board, as Robert Curry has resigned. We thank Robert for his service. His resignation leaves open the position on the board for “A representative of the community who is a consumer of mental health services.”

Learn about the Process for Expressing Interest in Being Recommended for Consideration for Open Mental Health Board Position.

The Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force needs to hear from you.  Please complete this survey to share your priorities for the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division Budget.  The next BHD/ Milwaukee County budget will be challenging due to decreases in revenue.  BHD and other departments are facing a significant reduction in tax levy.  What services should be prioritized?  Are there opportunities to save money or bring in new revenue?

Share your perspective.  Survey results will be shared with the Mental Health Board, BHD and DHHS leadership, and the County Executive.

Complete the survey ASAP and no later than close of business Thursday June 11:

• Link to the survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D66D269

Thanks for sharing your perspective!  We also ask you to share the survey with your network – we especially seek input from those who receive BHD services.