Substance Use: Alliance for Wisconsin Youth

The Alliance for Wisconsin Youth supports the work of more than 100 community groups or coalitions dedicated to preventing and reducing issues that arise from the use of drugs.

Five regions

Three organizations receive grants from the Division of Care and Treatment Services to act as regional coordinators for this program. The regional coordinators are known as regional prevention centers.

The regional prevention centers provide guidance and funding to member coalitions in their service areas. There are five regions.

Select the region name below for a list of counties in the region and the contact information for the regional prevention center.

The Marshfield Clinic Health System (Northwoods Coalition) is the regional prevention center for all federally recognized Tribal nations with members in Wisconsin.

Preventing and reducing substance use

Alliance for Wisconsin Youth regional prevention centers support community coalitions in implementing media campaigns, presentations, programs, and other activities, as well as policies that limit access, availability, and acceptability of drugs to reduce the impact of substance use in their area.

Collaborative effort

Community coalitions that belong to the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth must:

• Have substance use prevention as a health priority.
• Make an effort to follow the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Strategic Prevention Framework.
• Meet regularly to address identified needs and issues in their service area.
• Encourage representation from culturally diverse groups.
• Include representation from at least five of the areas listed below:
  • Youth.
  • Parents.
  • Educators.
  • Health and human services professionals.
  • Public health professionals.
  • Health care professionals.
  • Law enforcement officers.
  • Business operators and owners.
  • People involved in civic organizations.
  • Elected officials.
  • Spiritual leaders.

New community coalition members are always welcomed. Contact the regional prevention center for the Tribal nation or area covered by your community coalition to apply for membership in the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth.

Community coalition members gain access to grants, specialized trainings, and networking opportunities designed to support their work in addressing local needs.

Activities sponsored by the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth are funded through federal grants including the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant and the State Opioid Response Grant.

Contact information

Alex Berg is the chair of the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth. You can contact the chair through email at alexandria.berg@dhs.wisconsin.gov.