Advocacy & Alerts

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.

The Mental Health Task Force submitted recommendations for the 2021 Behavioral Health Division (BHD) budget to the Milwaukee County Mental Health Board.  We encourage you to participate in the 2021 BHD budget process and share your priorities with the Mental Health Board.  Feel free to borrow from the Mental Health Task Force Testimony.

Here are some helpful links:

• Mental Health Task Force Testimony on the 2021 BHD Budget
• 2021 Milwaukee County DHHS Behavioral Health Division Budget– what’s happening and how you can participate
• Submit your budget comments.  You may email the Mental Health Board.

The Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force Steering Committee has two openings: for an advocate and an at-large member.  We invite Mental Health Task Force members to consider applying for this leadership position.

Service on the Steering Committee is a leadership role and requires some previous participation in the Mental Health Task Force and a commitment to the values and policy priorities advanced by the Task Force.  See the application form for details on expectations for serving.

To be considered for the open positions, you may self-nominate.  You may also nominate someone else, however, please check with them first, and ask them to also complete and submit the nomination form.

1. Submit nominations by end of business April 30 to Barbara Beckert, MHTF Coordinator.
   • Email to barbara.beckert@drwi.org. Questions?  Call 414-292-2724.
2. Nominees should plan to participate in the May 12th Task Force meeting to speak briefly about their interest in serving.

If you want to learn more about serving on the MHTF Steering committee, please feel free to reach out to our current members.  We are so grateful to them for giving of them time and talents.  They include the following:

Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force Steering Committee:

• Mary Neubauer and Christine Apple, co-chairs
• Shirley Drake
• Chyra Trost
• John Clayton
• Sue Gadacz
• Heather Martens
• Tom Reed
• Pardeep Kaleka
• Patricia Obletz
• Robin Pedersen
• Todd Scharrer
• Barbee Sorensen
• Christine Apple
• Sara Morgan
• Tim McGuire
• Barbara Beckert, Coordinator