Conversations to Creating a Healthy Community
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.
Episodes
10 episodes
Episode 10: Suicide Prevention Awareness
Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClainGuests: Clare Martell, DHHS Suicide Prevention Coordinator; Vaynesia Kendrick, Co-Chair of Prevent Suicide Greater Milwaukee DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined...
Episode 9: Addressing Food Insecurity
Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClainGuests: Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell, Chairwoman of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors; Emily Kenney, DHHS Strategic Initiatives and Transformation Director DHHS Executive Direct...
Episode 8: Meet the New DHHS Administrators
Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain, DHHS Executive Director Guests: Amy Lorenz, Administrator, Behavioral Health Services; David Comer, Administrator, Child Support ServicesDHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McC...
Episode 7: Connecting Individuals and Children and Families to Disabilities Services
Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClainGuests: Desilynn Smith, Executive Director of Uniting Garden Homes, Inc. and Chair of DHHS Combined Community Services Board; Toto Chanthavixay, Director of DHHS Children’s Disabilities Programs...
Episode 6: Becoming an Age-Friendly Community
Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClainGuests: Denise Callaway, Host of “Connect MKE” on MY24/CW18 and Chair of the Commission on Aging; Emily Peterson, DHHS Aging Services Project Manager and Policy AdvocateDHHS Execut...
Episode 5 - Part 2: Community-Based Access to Behavioral Health Care
Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClainGuests: 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, Direc...
Episode 5 – Part 1: Community-Based Access to Behavioral Health Care
Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClainGuests: 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 ...
Episode 4: Strengthening Community Safety Through Violence Intervention
Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClainGuests: David Muhammad, DHHS Deputy Director; Reggie Moore, Medical College of Wisconsin Director of Community Safety Policy and EngagementDHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain ...
Episode 3: Honoring the Legacy of Marcia P. Coggs in Milwaukee County
Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClainGuests: Priscilla Coggs-Jones, Milwaukee County Board Supervisor; Elizabeth Coggs, Former Milwaukee County Board Supervisor and Wisconsin State RepresentativeDHHS Executive Director Shaki...
Episode 2: Expanding Access to Affordable Housing in Milwaukee County
Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClainGuests: David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive; Jim Mathy, Housing Services AdministratorDHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Milwaukee County Executive David C...
