HIGHLIGHTS FROM WISCONSIN PARTNERS
- Over this past year, the value of Wisconsin Partners could not be more clear: we must build relationships before we need them. We work together across and because of our differences, and we know real solutions won’t be quick or easy. Visit our website to review our mission, model and values (https://www.wisconsinpartners.org/)
- COVID-19 Response:
- Wisconsin Partners collated and disseminated updates from each association through member networks, at a time when information was quickly changing and often hard to find.
- Southwest Partners launched COVID Caring Cash, which resulted in a total economic impact of approximately $300,000
- Kickapoo Conversations convened local hospital, faith, nonprofit, business, and citizens to align COVID strategy across sectors and communities.
- Using an asset-based model:
- Stronger Together Fox Valley is launching an Equity Network with a host of other nonprofit partners.
- To address the ongoing crisis and the underlying issues that prolong and exacerbate them, the multi-sector associations of Wisconsin Partners continue to collaborate across sectors on child care, broadband, health care communications, and more.
- We are thrilled to welcome NAMI Wisconsin (https://namiwisconsin.org) and the Wisconsin Philanthropy Network (https://wiphilanthropy.org) to our team in 2021. The mission of NAMI Wisconsin is to improve the quality of life of those affected by mental illness and to promote recovery. The Wisconsin Philanthropy Network (WPN) is a professional membership association for grantmakers from across the state.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS
Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
- After two years of development and fundraising, RWHC is launching an initiative to (a) Increase rural hospital engagement and leadership with local multisector Community Economic Development efforts, (b) Increase the effectiveness of rural hospital engagement and leadership with CED, (c) Increase rural health perspective in statewide CED, and (d) Increase statewide CED perspective in rural health. Learn more at http://www.rwhc.com/Portals/0/xBlog/uploads/2020/8/17/September.pdf
United Way of Wisconsin
- UWWi/211 Wisconsin is seeking referrals to establish direct and consistent contact with cohorts of caregivers. The project seeks to reach informal/unpaid family caregivers providing care to adults 18+ years of age to learn about their experience and needs, and connect them to resources when appropriate. Over the course of 6-8 weeks, we will make weekly phone call connections to provide ongoing, supportive listening with the additional benefit of offering resource referrals as identified, and grow our state-wide 211 database to be more responsive to caregiver needs. 211 Wisconsin is one of six 211 systems/centers partnering with United Way Worldwide and AARP. Make a caregiver referral at https://211wisconsin.communityos.org/caregiverprogramreferralform
Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association
- The Wisconsin Collaboration on Immigrants and Public Benefits aims to develop and circulate information to dispel myths, reduce confusion, and promote the safety and value of accessing supportive, means-tested benefits for those who are eligible. The collaborative recently developed and deployed an interactive texting tool to help individuals and public benefits enrollment assisters grappling with questions about the impact public benefits use could have on an individual's immigration status. The tool is available in English and Spanish, uses language specific to Wisconsin public benefits program, and provides local legal referrals when appropriate. For more information go to: https://www.coveringwi.org/immigration and https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/know-your-rights/.>
Wisconsin Early Childhood Association
- In support of the WI Infant Toddler Policy Project, WECA will be hosting a virtual Advocacy Week March 2nd-4th. This event will include a briefing on Wisconsin child care issues from WECA and a 30-minute break out session for participants to talk directly with their elected officials and staff. Meetings will be organized by child care licensing regions, which can be found in the registration link here.
- Is child care an issue in your area? Child care providers in WECA's Grassroots Advocacy Network are looking for community partners to connect locally and support state policy.
- Registration is now open for WECA's Virtual Advocacy Week. Join us as we gather with Wisconsin State legislators for a 45-minute Zoom meeting that includes a briefing on Wisconsin child care workforce issues from WECA and a 30-minute break-out session for participants to talk directly with elected officials and their staff.
Shared efforts across associations:
- The following associations are members of the Stop the COVID Spread Coalition <https://www.wha.org/stopthecovidspread>: Wisconsin Counties Association, Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Arts Wisconsin, United Way of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association
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