URBAN HEALTH CARE IN MILWAUKEE – ALL HANDS on DECK

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MILWAUKEE - Safety Matters Response Network has been selected to spearhead the ACTION of outreach-education-networking of the focus of the ALL Hands on Deck, WE, Not Me Urban Health Initiative.

There is a “health crisis” in urban Milwaukee that has “health-wellness” on its ear.

Twenty-first century “In-the-neighborhood access” to primary and specialty care for Milwaukeeans is equal to a third world country - even though we have many 2-year and 4-year sites receiving resources for health wellness. 

Assessment

Our observations over the last five years have revealed a disturbing pattern of:

• duplication of service, and
• NO comprehensive approach to reach Milwaukeeans for real change. 

African American, other People of Color and the Work Challenged (un-, under-employed; un-, under-degreed and certificated; un-, under-financed neighborhood-level business; disabled; and re-entry - especially those returning from WAR, INCARCERATION, BOOMERANG EMPLOYMENT, BOOMERANG RETIREMENT and DEGREED students without employment) for the most part have been exploited for acquiring mega fundings that include real estate, education of others, journal reports, conferences, partnerships and research from afar.

Discrimination through arbitrary and capricious behavior by well-connected Caucasian-only boards and advisory groups have literally sabotaged hands-on strategic planning by neighborhood stakeholders and in-the-neighborhood care.  

Mega funded hospitals and satellites lack the familiarity of the neighborhood.  They have clinics and satellites outside of the area of need, therefore, it poses an accessibility problem.  The rules and regulations increased EREmergency care instead of in-the-neighborhood health care designed for health wellness (prevention and intervention).

The epidemic illness in our city prevents the population from maximizing its land use, Smart Growth benefits, resources and human resource potentials.  It compounds the Enduring Concentrated Poverty status that is at the root of lagging quality of life and economic development for sustainability.

Urban Initiative Chicago
We have selected the model in Chicago that chose to empower the South Side of Chicago.

Take a listen to Sheila Aguilera's Story  and Urban Health Initiative (a Medical Home).

Outreach and Pipeline
Regular activity for promoting awareness and engagement will be shared with the FACEBOOK of the Safety Matters Response Network (www.facebook.com/safetymattersresponsenetwork) - an online think tank of selective individuals to share information such as related meetings, caucas groups, petitions, new legislation, pending legislation and public square notifications.

Safety Matters Exploratory Team and POSSE will be the second level of ACTION/Engagement.  This is utilizing the support of college-based students (2-year, 4-year and graduate levels) and juniors/seniors at the high school level.  It is the POSSE component (14 public high schools - more to come from all schools).

The academic sites are to ensure that "hidden talent" and neighborhood business/entrepreneurs are at the forefront of the planning Mission to put the professionals and specialist needed from the neighborhood-level.