Seeking Recovery Services in Milwaukee?

Trans and non-binary people who are uninsured or low income and who are seeking assistance with substance use and/or mental health issues can now do so with more confidence, due to a two-year joint project between FORGE and the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division’s Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS).  <learn more>

CARS provides a full array of supportive community services for people with severe and persistent mental health conditions and/or who have been affected by alcohol and other drug (ab)use, specifically serving those who are uninsured or low income.

CARS wanted to ensure they knew how to appropriately and respectfully serve trans and non-binary clients, and they didn’t just want a short 101. Instead, helped along with funding from the Cream City Foundation and the Office for Victims of Crime, FORGE conducted multiple focus groups and employee surveys to assess how they were currently treating trans/non-binary (NB) clients and where assistance might be useful. As a result of this analysis, FORGE has now completed its six-part training series. We addressed much more than the 101 issues, including: advocating on behalf of trans/NB clients; placing trans clients in sex-segregated housing; addressing bias among other clients; conducting outreach; and providing support to clients who are pursuing transition services. The project has touched dozens of agencies and hundreds of employees, making Milwaukee a much friendlier place for trans and non-binary folks to access mental health and case management services.

FORGE will have multiple copies of CARS resources that you can pick up at our March 16^th meeting if you are interested, including:

• “I’m in Crisis: Numbers to Call for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Crisis…Treatment…Recovery”
• “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families”
• “Comprehensive Community Services: Recovery Starts with a Connection” and
• A directory of CARS resources and application for services.