New Grant Program, Exceptional Work Highlighted at Substance Use Prevention Conference

New Grant Program, Exceptional Work Highlighted at Substance Use Prevention Conference

Event provides opportunities to advance public health and safety

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is lifting up substance use prevention efforts across the state through a new grant program and awards recognizing exceptional local work improving the health and safety of individuals and communities. These announcements are part of the 2025 Wisconsin Substance use Prevention Conference, which is wrapping up its two-day run today.

"Substance use prevention gives us an opportunity to get ahead of challenges," said DHS Director of Substance Use Initiatives Michelle Haese. "By addressing the root causes of substance use before it takes hold, substance use prevention protects the long-term health and well-being of individuals and strengthens communities."

Four organizations are each receiving one-time grants of $250,000 to provide services in their communities preventing the non-medical use of opioids. These grants are funded by Wisconsin's share of opioid settlement dollars managed by DHS.

Grant recipients include:

• Arbor Place for a project focused on youth in Dunn and Pierce counties.
• Forest County Potawatomi Community for a project focused on youth who are enrolled or descendants of the Forest County Potawatomi Community.
• Hope Council for a project focused on people of all ages in Kenosha County.
• United Community Center for a project focused on people of all ages in Milwaukee's Hispanic community.

Recipients of the awards for exceptional local substance use prevention work include:

• Kaytlin Kuettner of Oshkosh. The Leaders of a Brighter Future: Outstanding Young Adult Advocate for Substance Use Prevention Award recognizes Kuettner for promoting a substance-free lifestyle through youth-led groups in local middle and high schools and inspiring her peers to be part of the substance use prevention movement.
• Megan Conway of Franklin. The Beyond the Call to Action: Outstanding Substance Use Prevention Professional Award recognizes Conway's efforts to engage her neighbors and community organizations in education and empowerment activities.
• Lac Courte Oreilles Health Center-Behavioral Health Department of Hayward. The Catalyst for Change: Outstanding Partner in Substance Use Prevention Award recognizes the La Courte Oreilles Health Center-Behavioral Health Department for their Good Health & Wellness Program that focuses on helping youth build the skills and confidence to live a substance-free lifestyle.
• African American Opioid Coalition in Madison. The Protect the Pond: Outstanding Substance Use Prevention Coalition Award recognizes the events and advocacy of the African American Opioid Coalition, a group of Black leaders representing organizations with roles to help Dane County's Black community make positive decisions about their health and wellness.
• Nine high school students from Brooklyn, East Troy, Omro, Portage, Spooner, and Wausau are recipients of the Leaders of the Next Generation: Outstanding Youth Advocate for Substance Use Prevention Award that recognizes teens for their leadership in developing and supporting initiatives that empower their peers to avoid substance use.

DHS selected the award winners from a pool of nominations submitted through a statewide call for nominees.

Organized by DHS the Wisconsin Substance Use Prevention Conference is held every other year and brings together people from across the state working in the fields of behavioral health, education, government, medicine, and public health for two days of learning best practices from national, regional, and state substance use prevention experts. Nearly 500 people participated this year, the largest attendance in the event's history.

Find more information about substance use prevention work in Wisconsin on the Substance Use: Prevention and Healthy Living page on the DHS website.