Mission:
The Covid 19 pandemic has highlighted the persistent health disparities experienced by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals across the Country and in our communities.
These gaps exist on top of the extreme racial disparities documented in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Addressing the mental health of BIPOC communities is a critical component of supporting the calls for more diversity, equity and inclusion.
Targeted approaches that center the lived experiences of BIPOC individuals are needed in order to make progress and promote sustainable change.
The purpose of the BIPOC Mental Health Coalition is to:
Composition:
Coalition participants will include BIPOC leaders committed to community wellbeing including BIPOC individuals with lived experience as participants in our mental health systems.
While this coalition is unique in its structure and focus, it will complement existing organizations, agencies, and coalitions focusing on mental health for the general population.
History:
The Coalition was created in 2023 by leaders from RISE Wisconsin and Journey Mental Health Center.
The initial funding for this organization was provided by the County of Dane with a 3-year grant from 2024 to 2026
The Covid 19 pandemic has highlighted the persistent health disparities experienced by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals across the Country and in our communities.
These gaps exist on top of the extreme racial disparities documented in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Addressing the mental health of BIPOC communities is a critical component of supporting the calls for more diversity, equity and inclusion.
Targeted approaches that center the lived experiences of BIPOC individuals are needed in order to make progress and promote sustainable change.
The purpose of the BIPOC Mental Health Coalition is to:
- Create an affinity space to explore and respond to the mental health disparities of BIPOC people,
- Support and advise participating agencies in their efforts to address the mental health needs of BIPOC, and
- Advocate for upstream system-level changes needed to support a system of care grounded in belonging, dignity, and antiracism.
Composition:
Coalition participants will include BIPOC leaders committed to community wellbeing including BIPOC individuals with lived experience as participants in our mental health systems.
While this coalition is unique in its structure and focus, it will complement existing organizations, agencies, and coalitions focusing on mental health for the general population.
History:
The Coalition was created in 2023 by leaders from RISE Wisconsin and Journey Mental Health Center.
The initial funding for this organization was provided by the County of Dane with a 3-year grant from 2024 to 2026
ADVISORY GROUP MEMBERS
https://risewisconsin.org
(Advisory Group Co-facilitator and Lead grant organization)
Fernando Cano Ospina IICDP Pronouns: He, Him, His and EL
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director
Direct: 608-210-0132 Ext 0132
Fax: 608-250-6637
www.RISEwisconsin.org
Fernando Cano Ospina IICDP Pronouns: He, Him, His and EL
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director
Direct: 608-210-0132 Ext 0132
Fax: 608-250-6637
www.RISEwisconsin.org
https://journeymhc.org/
(Advisory Group Co-facilitator)
Danielle Mitchell-Vance, APSW, LSW (she/her/hers)
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Organizational Consultant
Phone: 608.280.2544
journeymhc.org
Anesis Center For Marriage & Family Therapy
Brittany Neal MSW, LCSW
P.h.D Student
Community and Business Development Director
Clinical Supervisor
Pronouns- She, Her, Hers
Office: 608-268-6530
Fax: 608-709-1744
https://anesistherapycenter.com/
Celia L. Huerta, MS, LPC She/Her/Hers
Bilingual/Bicultural Adult, Child and Family Psychotherapist
Latinx Mental Health Coalition
Martha Saucedo, LCSW Latinx Community Liaison
Behavioral Health Consultant
www.accesscommunityhealthcenters.org
608.443.5480
Martha Saucedo, LCSW Latinx Community Liaison
Behavioral Health Consultant
www.accesscommunityhealthcenters.org
608.443.5480
Sharyl J. Kato LPC She/Her/Hers
Executive Director & Child & Family Therapist
Clinical Adjunct Professor, UW Dept. of Psychiatry
The Rainbow Project
https://www.therainbowproject.net/
Troy Polnitz, M.S. Nisha Banerjee, MSW, PHR
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager Director, Human Resources
Pronouns: He, Him, His Pronouns: she|her|hers
Email: Troy.Polnitz@agrace.org Office: (608) 327-7427 | Cell: (608) 843-6831
Social Media: Troy’s LinkedIn https://www.agrace.org/
Phone: (608) 290-1627 Confidential Fax: (608) 327-7136
Dana Pellebon (She/Her)
Executive Director
RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center
Business Phone: 608-251-5126 - Cell Phone: 608-575-1074
https://www.thercc.org/
MONICA CALDWELL
Caminos Certified Peer Specialist Trainer and Career Pathways programming support
Centro Hispano of Dane County
Office Phone #: 608-716-9265 (Call/Text)
www.micentro.org
Michael Waupoose MSSW, LCSW
Māēc-mahwāēw
Community Member
Retire Mental Health Provider/Community Leader
Mai Zong Vue, MSSW
The Hmong Institute
608-695-4041
maizong.vue@thehmonginstitute.org
Home - The Hmong Institute
https://www.countyofdane.com/
Julie Clayton (they/them)
Behavioral Health Outreach Coordinator
BHRC Website: https://danebhrc.org/
BHRC Main Phone: 608-267-2244
Direct Phone: 608-949-2265
Nani Gebrechristos, MSW
Senior Social Worker, DCDHS Youth Connect
Behavioral Health Division
Dane County Department of Human Services
Work Cell Phone: (608) 234-2015 (Preferred)
Office Phone: (608) 242-6278 Fax: (608) 242-6256
Email: Gebrechristos.Nani@danecounty.gov