1. Agency Updates
Caradonna reported for UW-Madison (survivor support services) – They are in the
process of internalizing forensic nurse exams so that they'll be available at Meriter at
the Lucky Building, and then for college students at University Health Services. They
had a successful sexual assault awareness month where there was a lot more
collaboration with community orgs and campus partners. UHS as an organization is
launching a strategic plan. They will see what develops from that and how that impacts
their work. They have a new mental health provider starting in the next few weeks.
Statam reported for Anesis Therapy – They are trying to help clients that are no longer
eligible for MA. That seems to be a thing that's coming back up. They are planning for
families for the summertime, what's going to happen with kids, lack of resources, strain
on food and housing. They are trying to figure out what services realistically we can
offer. There is still time to register for their event. There is still an early bird that doesn't
end until the 30th of this month.
Freeman reported for Adult Protective Services (APS) –They have a full time
investigator starting on June 16 to fill a transfer. A couple weeks ago they had a
Dementia Support Case Manager start and her role is to work with persons in the
community experiencing behavioral crises related to their dementia. They have an offer
pending for a Project Manager to look on a feasibility study for a Dementia Stabilization
and Care Transition Unit so that they’ll have a setting into which persons who need
further time to spend to stabilize, medication adjustment, will have a place. They are
hoping to have a decision on that by the end of the month and then start the feasibility
study because the funding is intended for feasibility to determine if they can do this
setting. That is where the work of the Dementia Support Case Manager would help
inform, and be involved in that project. They are getting their 2026 budget planning
started. They have been asked to do a flat budget with no changes. Their elder abuse
and adults at risk supervisors are working with Corporation Council to update all of our
memorandums of understanding with law enforcement and financial institutions. Their
interpretation has created some barriers to being able to easily share information with
law enforcement partners when they need to do investigations. Elder Abuse Awareness
Day is next month on June 15th. They are having a Shred Fest on Friday, June 13th at
Warner Park. It's free, it's open to the public. It's a great opportunity for people to bring
things to protect their confidentiality, minimize risks of anyone accessing personal
information that could put them at risk.
Kato reported for Rainbow - The grandparents and other relatives who are parents
group is growing. They have hired two new group facilitators who are from this group
originally. They are having another separate art therapy group for those grandparents
who need to grieve many things, but especially the loss of their adult children, either
literally or figuratively. They provide childcare for attendees. They have a new child
psychiatrist, Dr. Tanner, who will be starting at end of June.
Brown reported for the District Attorney’s Office for updates in the victim-witness unit,
last week they had their statewide victim witness conference. Julie Foley receive a
lifetime achievement award. They are recruiting for a Bilingual Spanish Victim Witness
Case Manager. They hope to be in the interview phase next week.
Sonja Liston reported for UnityPoint Health Meriter Forensic Nursing Program - They
have multiple medical leaves in June and July that are coinciding. They are trying to
make that as least disruptive to their population as possible. Otherwise they are fully
staffed and things are moving smoothly.
UNIDOS Executive Director Virginia Gittens Escudero reports that they are fully staffed.
They are implementing a system that will allow clients to text. People can email, or they
can walk in Monday to Friday or call the helpline. The text system will be available for
the public on May 27. They received a grant and they are exploring an opportunity for a
