Grant Program: Community Impact Grant

The project, Reducing Intimate Partner Violence and Intergenerational Trauma Impacts in Vernon County: A Community-driven, Systems-based Public Health Initiative, led by the County of Vernon in partnership with the UW–Madison Division of Extension’s Regional Community Health Team, is addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) and its intergenerational cycle. Grounded in the voices of those most affected by IPV, the initiative focuses on reaching individuals through trusted spaces such as schools, clinics, churches, businesses and law enforcement. By training community members and strengthening local support networks, the project aims to expand access to care, ensure no one faces violence or its aftermath alone and better support populations overlooked, including pregnant

The project, Designing Pathways to Belonging: Empowering Neurodivergent Youth Through School-based Creative Technology and Community-building, led by Islands of Brilliance, will explore mental health and well-being for neurodivergent high school students in Milwaukee through creative technology and community-building. In partnership with TransCenter for Youth and UW-Milwaukee, the initiative introduces three inclusive programs—Doodle Lounge, Brilliant Connections and CollabQuest—that use art, design and digital tools to help students build friendships, confidence and a stronger sense of belonging. By training educators to sustain these programs, the project seeks to reduce isolation, foster social connection and create a scalable model to support youth in schools across Wisconsin. Jeana Holt, PhD, assistant professor, School of Nursing, UW-Milwaukee, serves as the academic partner.

The project, Addressing and Preventing Childhood Trauma in Winnebago County: A Community Schools Approach, led by Winnebago County Public Health, uses a community school approach to address and prevent childhood trauma by embedding Community Health Workers (CHWs) in two local schools. The initiative connects families facing economic hardship with resources such as food, housing and transportation support, reducing stress and improving students’ ability to learn and attend school regularly. By providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed care and engaging parents, teachers and community partners, the project aims to enhance student well-being, academic achievement and family stability. Samantha Larson, PhD, assistant professor, Public Administration, UW–Oshkosh, serves as the academic partner.

The project, Bridging Gaps in Perinatal Care: A First Breath Pilot Addressing Substance Use and Mental Health, led by the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation, is expanding the statewide First Breath program to better support the mental health of pregnant and postpartum people working to reduce or quit substance use. Guided by input from people with lived experience, the initiative introduces enhanced mental health supports, including improved screening tools, educational text messages and additional check-ins with trained health educators. By integrating mental health care into existing perinatal services, the project aims to increase engagement, improve health outcomes and reduce gaps in care for families across Wisconsin. Danielle McCarthy, PhD, professor, UW–Madison Department of Medicine, serves as the academic partner.

The project, Accelerating Birth Equity in Wisconsin Through a Community-based Doula Workforce, led by the Foundation of Black Women’s Wellness, seeks to improve maternal and child health outcomes for Black mothers and babies through a strategy that expands and sustains a community-based doula workforce. By providing culturally aligned perinatal care and collaborating with health system teams and community health workers, the initiative seeks to improve birth outcomes, reduce complications and promote equitable access to trusted, high-quality care. Tiffany Green, PhD, associate professor, Department of Population Health Sciences and Obstetrics & Gynecology, UW–Madison, serves as the academic partner.

The project, Reducing the Harms of Incarceration on Individual and Community Health, led by the Nehemiah Community Development Corporation, is launching Justice for a New Day, a community-informed educational initiative designed to reduce the harmful impacts of incarceration on individual and community health. Developed with leadership from people who have experienced incarceration, the course will educate health care professionals, social workers, educators, policymakers and advocates on how incarceration contributes to poor health outcomes and equip them to respond with empathy and systemic change. Building on Nehemiah’s successful Black History for a New Day model, this project aims to inspire cross-sector collaboration and create a blueprint for more equitable, just and healthy communities. Dan Grupe, PhD, research assistant professor, Center for Healthy Minds, UW–Madison, serves as the academic partner.

The project, Achieving Health Equity for Unhoused Parents and Children in Need of Medical Respite Shelter, led by JustDane, expands the services of Healing House, the nation’s only 24/7 medical respite shelter designed for families experiencing homelessness. By adding health care education, employment support and home visiting by community health workers, the initiative aims to improve access to medical care, enhance health outcomes and promote housing and economic stability for parents and children. The program will also evaluate the impact of medical respite care for families with minor children. Pajarita Charles, PhD, MPA, associate professor, UW–Madison School of Social Work, serves as the academic partner.

This initiative advances health equity for Hmong and Hispanic communities in central Wisconsin by providing bilingual case management through trusted community health workers (CHWs). CHWs will connect individuals to essential health and social services, addressing barriers like language, transportation and access.

The goal of this project is to provide crisis intervention services for young adults participating in Workforce Resource Inc.’s Independent Living for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care and Anti-Human Trafficking programs by utilizing crisis navigators. In doing so, the project aims to reduce the negative effects of stress caused by crisis, enhance resilience and promote recovery, and achieve a sense of economic stability and security for program participants. Tamara Kincaid, UW-River Falls, serves as the academic partner.

The initiative’s goal is to address the disproportionate health challenges faced by tribal communities by increasing their communities’ capacity to identify, design, implement and evaluate culturally relevant solutions to mental health challenges. The project is adapting the existing Community Powered community resilience training program for use in tribal contexts to address health challenges including depression, isolation and drug and alcohol abuse. Arijit Sen, PhD, UW-Milwaukee, serves as the academic partner.