Tennessee now has over 1,000 people across the state who are actively using their past experience with mental-health and substance-use challenges to help others who are struggling. They are part of the Tennessee Certified Peer Recovery Specialist program. Lisa Ragan, director of Consumer Affairs and Peer Recovery Services for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, said a Peer Specialist has been in recovery at least two years and must complete 40 hours of training to get their certification. .
Wisconsin is 21st in the country when measuring health data, but an annual ranking found the Badger State is behind most other states in funding public health efforts. America s Health Rankings from United Health Foundation showed Wisconsin is 49th among states in getting funds to local health departments. KT Gallagher, director of the Dunn County Health Department, said administrators like her must often scrape together whatever they can to provide services like immunizations, support for new families and environmental health programming. .
The majority of Kentucky families say they ll be gathering as usual for the holidays, according to a new poll. More than eight in 10 Kentuckians responded it is "not too likely" or "not likely at all" COVID-19 would keep them from the festivities. Ben Chandler, CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, explained choosing to get vaccinated against both COVID and the flu can help protect loved ones. .
MENOMONIE, WIS. – Operation 2 Save Lives (O2SL) & QRT National recently delivered pathway deflection training to community stakeholders, partners and leaders in Menomonie, Wisconsin.