Milwaukee County DHHS

Conversations to Creating a Healthy Community

Health EN ↓ 7 episodes

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 experienc...

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Milwaukee County DHHS

Episodes

Episode 7: Connecting Individuals and Children and Families to Disabilities Services 18.06.2026 45:24

Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain Guests: 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 DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Desilynn Smith of Uniting Garden Homes and Toto Chanthavixay of Milwaukee County DHHS Children’s Disabilities Prog...

Episode 6: Becoming an Age-Friendly Community 28.05.2026 37:13

Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain Guests: 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 Advocate DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Denise Callaway of the Commission on Aging and Emily Peterson of Milwaukee County Aging Services for a conversation about programs and part...

Episode 5 – Part 1: Community-Based Access to Behavioral Health Care 13.05.2026 30:21

Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain Guests: 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 Wraparound Milwaukee-Children’s Community Mental Health Services DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Ken Ginlack of Serenity Inns, Jennifer Wittwer of...

Episode 5 - Part 2: Community-Based Access to Behavioral Health Care 13.05.2026 29:06

Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain Guests: 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 Wraparound Milwaukee-Children’s Community Mental Health Services DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Ken Ginlack of Serenity Inns, Jennifer Wittwer of...

Episode 4: Strengthening Community Safety Through Violence Intervention 13.03.2026 31:06

Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain Guests: David Muhammad, DHHS Deputy Director; Reggie Moore, Medical College of Wisconsin Director of Community Safety Policy and Engagement DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Reggie Moore of the Medical College of Wisconsin and DHHS Deputy Director David Muhammad for a conversation about Milwaukee County’s collaborative approach to community...

Episode 3: Honoring the Legacy of Marcia P. Coggs in Milwaukee County 05.03.2026 31:37

Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain Guests: Priscilla Coggs-Jones, Milwaukee County Board Supervisor; Elizabeth Coggs, Former Milwaukee County Board Supervisor and Wisconsin State Representative DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Priscilla Coggs-Jones and Elizabeth Coggs for a conversation about the legacy of their mother and grandmother, trail...

Episode 2: Expanding Access to Affordable Housing in Milwaukee County 10.02.2026 19:25

Host: Shakita LaGrant-McClain Guests: David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive; Jim Mathy, Housing Services Administrator DHHS Executive Director Shakita LaGrant-McClain is joined by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Housing Services Administrator Jim Mathy for a conversation about housing, homelessness, and the role affordable housing plays in community health. Together, they discuss...