Meet our SUD/MH Project Coordinator

Denise Johnson
Independence First Wisconsin Statewide Project Coordinator for SUD/MH Services for Persons who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind

The SUD/MH project services to improve Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Mental Health (MH) Services for the Deaf/deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind in Wisconsin. This project is operated by the Wisconsin Coalition of Independent Living Centers (WCILC) through a grant with Independence First, the Independent Living Center in Milwaukee, where I have worked for 22 years.

In my job, I do several things. Working statewide through the network of Independent Living Centers, I provide SUD/MH presentations, referrals and resources for Persons who are Deaf/deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind, as well as technical assistance and training for SUD/MH treatment providers, and other types of service providers.

Providers:

Now this is where you come in; I was wondering if you and your agency would be interested for me to come to your place and provide “How to work with Persons who are Deaf/deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind” including Best Practices for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Mental Health Consumers who are Deaf/deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind” workshop. What’s more, I can also provide additional tools such as “What is Assistive Listening (ALD), How to Communicate through different Technologies of Today with Deaf/deaf, Hard of hearing or Deaf-Blind”. I am very interested in providing these presentations throughout the state of Wisconsin.

Cost:

What more can you ask for this services is NO COST to you or your agency. I provide my own interpreting services. All I need from you is to coordinate the workshop, by providing me several possible dates, and then once we confirm the date then you can let others know about the place and time of this free workshop. Please visit the Providers section for more information.

Presenter Bio:

In the past, I worked at DePaul Hospital in their Keystone Residential AODA and Mental Health Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. I also worked for the Wisconsin School for the Deaf for 8 years as a Teacher Assistant and Child Care Counselor. I am also Deaf. I serve on the Wisconsin State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (SCAODA) Diversity Sub-Committee, Mental Health Alliance of the People who Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind, American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA) and Wisconsin Association of the Deaf (WAD).

I look forward to meeting you!

Denise Johnson

Independence First Wisconsin Statewide Project Coordinator
Substance Use Disorder/Mental Health Services
for the Persons who are Deaf/deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind

Independence First
540 South 1st Street
Milwaukee, WI 53204

Main Office: 414-291-7520 (V/TTY)
Direct: 414-937-5910

E-mail: djohnson@independencefirst.org

Website: http://48w.dfc.mytemp.website