Conversations to Creating a Healthy Community Wed, 27 May 2026 09:21:08 -0500 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2574951 en-us © 2026 Conversations to Creating a Healthy Community yes a167df71-8796-541c-8c69-6112518f0326 Milwaukee County DHHS episodic false Conversations to Creating a Healthy Community is a podcast from Milwaukee County’s Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) designed to spark honest, thoughtful dialogue around community health, family well-being, and the systems that shape everyday life in Milwaukee County.

 

The podcast positions DHHS not only as a service provider, but as a thought leader, listener, and collaborator, bringing together voices from across the community to explore challenges, highlight innovation, and share ideas that support healthier outcomes for all.

 

Each episode focuses on real people, real experiences, and real solutions, with an emphasis on learning, connection, and action.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Milwaukee County DHHS https://storage.buzzsprout.com/nj5q3npniqerfxat1eju8rq79w9t?.jpg Conversations to Creating a Healthy Community Episode 5 - Part 2: Community-Based Access to Behavioral Health Care Episode 5 - Part 2: Community-Based Access to Behavioral Health Care Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain

Guests: Ken Ginlack, CEO of Serenity Inns and Milwaukee County Mental Health Board Member; Jennifer Wittwer, Director of Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS); Brian McBride, Director of Wraparound Milwaukee-Children’s Community Mental Health Services

DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Ken Ginlack of Serenity Inns, Jennifer Wittwer of Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS), and Brian McBride of Wraparound Milwaukee for a conversation about how behavioral health services for children and adultsare evolving across Milwaukee County. Together, they discuss the redesign of the behavioral healthcare system from institutional to community-based care and how new access points, partnerships, and prevention efforts are making it easier for residents to get the mental health and substance use disorder support they need.

]]> Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain

Guests: Ken Ginlack, CEO of Serenity Inns and Milwaukee County Mental Health Board Member; Jennifer Wittwer, Director of Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS); Brian McBride, Director of Wraparound Milwaukee-Children’s Community Mental Health Services

DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Ken Ginlack of Serenity Inns, Jennifer Wittwer of Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS), and Brian McBride of Wraparound Milwaukee for a conversation about how behavioral health services for children and adultsare evolving across Milwaukee County. Together, they discuss the redesign of the behavioral healthcare system from institutional to community-based care and how new access points, partnerships, and prevention efforts are making it easier for residents to get the mental health and substance use disorder support they need.

]]> Buzzsprout-19173110 Wed, 13 May 2026 15:00:00 -0500 1746 full false Episode 5 – Part 1: Community-Based Access to Behavioral Health Care Episode 5 – Part 1: Community-Based Access to Behavioral Health Care Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain

Guests: Ken Ginlack, CEO of Serenity Inns and Milwaukee County Mental Health Board Member; Jennifer Wittwer, Director of Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS); Brian McBride, Director of Wraparound Milwaukee-Children’s Community Mental Health Services

DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Ken Ginlack of Serenity Inns, Jennifer Wittwer of Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS), and Brian McBride of Wraparound Milwaukee for a conversation about how behavioral health services for children and adultsare evolving across Milwaukee County. Together, they discuss the redesign of the behavioral healthcare system from institutional to community-based care and how new access points, partnerships, and prevention efforts are making it easier for residents to get the mental health and substance use disorder support they need.

]]> Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain

Guests: Ken Ginlack, CEO of Serenity Inns and Milwaukee County Mental Health Board Member; Jennifer Wittwer, Director of Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS); Brian McBride, Director of Wraparound Milwaukee-Children’s Community Mental Health Services

DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Ken Ginlack of Serenity Inns, Jennifer Wittwer of Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS), and Brian McBride of Wraparound Milwaukee for a conversation about how behavioral health services for children and adultsare evolving across Milwaukee County. Together, they discuss the redesign of the behavioral healthcare system from institutional to community-based care and how new access points, partnerships, and prevention efforts are making it easier for residents to get the mental health and substance use disorder support they need.

]]> Buzzsprout-19171873 Wed, 13 May 2026 15:00:00 -0500 1821 full false Episode 4: Strengthening Community Safety Through Violence Intervention Episode 4: Strengthening Community Safety Through Violence Intervention Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain

Guests: David Muhammad, DHHS Deputy Director; Reggie Moore, Medical College of Wisconsin Director of Community Safety Policy and Engagement

DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Reggie Moore of the Medical College of Wisconsin and DHHS Deputy Director David Muhammad for a conversation about Milwaukee County’s collaborative approach to community violence intervention. Together, they discuss how public health strategies, credible messengers, and evidence-based programs are working to prevent violence and support healing. From hospital-based intervention to community-led mentoring, this episode highlights how partnership and prevention can help build safer, healthier communities.

]]> Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain

Guests: David Muhammad, DHHS Deputy Director; Reggie Moore, Medical College of Wisconsin Director of Community Safety Policy and Engagement

DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Reggie Moore of the Medical College of Wisconsin and DHHS Deputy Director David Muhammad for a conversation about Milwaukee County’s collaborative approach to community violence intervention. Together, they discuss how public health strategies, credible messengers, and evidence-based programs are working to prevent violence and support healing. From hospital-based intervention to community-led mentoring, this episode highlights how partnership and prevention can help build safer, healthier communities.

]]> Milwaukee County DHHS Buzzsprout-18841102 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0500 1866 1 4 full false Episode 3: Honoring the Legacy of Marcia P. Coggs in Milwaukee County Episode 3: Honoring the Legacy of Marcia P. Coggs in Milwaukee County Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain

Guests: Priscilla Coggs-Jones, Milwaukee County Board Supervisor; Elizabeth Coggs, Former Milwaukee County Board Supervisor and Wisconsin State Representative

DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Priscilla Coggs-Jones and Elizabeth Coggs for a conversation about the legacy of their mother and grandmother, trailblazing public servant Marcia P. Coggs, and her lasting impact on human services in Milwaukee County. Together, they reflect on her groundbreaking career, the family tradition of public service she helped inspire, and how the Marcia P. Coggs Health and Human Services Center carries her mission forward today. From the “No Wrong Door” approach to improving access to services, this episode highlights how Coggs’ legacy and the new facility it inspired continue to contribute to healthier communities in Milwaukee. 

]]> Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain

Guests: Priscilla Coggs-Jones, Milwaukee County Board Supervisor; Elizabeth Coggs, Former Milwaukee County Board Supervisor and Wisconsin State Representative

DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Priscilla Coggs-Jones and Elizabeth Coggs for a conversation about the legacy of their mother and grandmother, trailblazing public servant Marcia P. Coggs, and her lasting impact on human services in Milwaukee County. Together, they reflect on her groundbreaking career, the family tradition of public service she helped inspire, and how the Marcia P. Coggs Health and Human Services Center carries her mission forward today. From the “No Wrong Door” approach to improving access to services, this episode highlights how Coggs’ legacy and the new facility it inspired continue to contribute to healthier communities in Milwaukee. 

]]> Milwaukee County DHHS Buzzsprout-18797201 Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0600 1897 1 3 full false Episode 2: Expanding Access to Affordable Housing in Milwaukee County Episode 2: Expanding Access to Affordable Housing in Milwaukee County Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain

Guests: David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive; Jim Mathy, Housing Services Administrator

DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Housing Services Administrator Jim Mathy for a conversation about housing, homelessness, and the role affordable housing plays in community health. Together, they discuss Milwaukee County’s Housing First approach, efforts to expand affordable housing across the county, and the importance of meeting people where they are with supportive services. From housing navigators to new developments for families and individuals, this episode highlights how stable housing creates a foundation for healthier communities.

]]> Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain

Guests: David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive; Jim Mathy, Housing Services Administrator

DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Housing Services Administrator Jim Mathy for a conversation about housing, homelessness, and the role affordable housing plays in community health. Together, they discuss Milwaukee County’s Housing First approach, efforts to expand affordable housing across the county, and the importance of meeting people where they are with supportive services. From housing navigators to new developments for families and individuals, this episode highlights how stable housing creates a foundation for healthier communities.

]]> Milwaukee County DHHS Buzzsprout-18650687 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0600 1165 1 2 full false