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Contents

Merry Christmas! 

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! Click the image above for a Christmas message! 

Supporting Mental Health 

It was a busy week in Madison with committees meeting to do critical work for the State of Wisconsin. On Tuesday, the Committee on Mental Health met to vote on legislation that will help ease the burden on law enforcement agencies when an emergency detention is required. I was proud to join my colleagues in supporting this bipartisan bill, which passed out of committee unanimously. 

Following the vote, we heard testimony on several other proposals, including legislation that will create a school-based mental health consultation pilot program, and legislation that will expand telehealth mental health treatment to offenders under community supervision. Both of these bills will further support mental health access in our state. 

Additionally, on Wednesday I convened the Committee on Children and Families for a hearing on legislation that enables Wisconsin to begin taking steps towards implementing the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA).

FFPSA, signed by President Trump in February 2018, is a major shift in federal funding for child welfare services. Under FFPSA, federal funding will be made available for prevention services that will help families remain intact, preventing the disruption of families. Additionally, congregate care (group home) placements will no longer be federally reimbursable, unless there is a medical reason for the placement. This will help children remain in the most family-like setting, which is ultimately the best place for a child. 

The legislation that was considered on Wednesday creates a process for licensing the type of group home that is an allowable placement under FFPSA. These facilities, called Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs), will provide high level behavioral and/or mental health treatment for children in out-of-home care. Stay tuned for the legislation to pass through committee shortly after the new year! 

The Joseph Project

Congratulations to these gentlemen on their graduation from the Joseph Project this week! The Joseph Project was spearheaded several years ago in the Milwaukee area by Senator Ron Johnson and Pastor Jerome Smith, from Praise Church of God in Christ. Since then, the project has spread to other communities in the state (including Wausau), proving successful results. 

In the program, participants are given training on stress management, interview skills, team building, financial management, spiritual fitness and conflict resolution. The goal of the program is to help connect individuals, many of which have criminal backgrounds, with well-paying jobs. It's honor to watch these individuals go through the program and graduate! 

upcoming events xmas.PNGLooking for some family fun this holiday weekend? Check out these events happening in our area this weekend: 

  • Missing the Farmer's Market? Come check out the Wausau Winter Market! Located at the Boys and Girls Club of the Wausau Area, the market takes place on Saturday mornings from 8AM-12PM. 
  • Join the Foundation of St.Clare's Hospital on Saturday, December 21st from 3-6PM to celebrate the Christmas season! The Angels Among Us Holiday Festival will take place at the Rothschild Pavilion; activities include crafts, games, and photos with Santa! 
  • Marathon County Public Library-Rothschild Branch is hosting another Saturday Spotlight; the topic this week will be penguins! On Saturday from 10am-2pm kids and families can learn about penguins through crafts, playing games and trivia, and more!
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