Lived experience perspective is critical to transforming the children’s mental health system. The Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health (OCMH) Lived Experience Partners are parents and young people whose reality includes social, emotional, or behavioral health needs. These leaders own their journey and recognize the value they bring to improving programs and policy. By sharing their stories and ideas with organizational leaders and peers, OCMH Lived Experience Partners are inspiring change.
Through a structured model of participation and intentional financial support for participation, OCMH Lived Experience Partners are set up for success as effective advocates and collaborators.
We welcome caregivers and parents, or young people aged 18-26, who are motivated by their unique life journey to join us as an OCMH Lived Experience Partner. If you would like to be an OCMH Lived Experience Partner, please start by completing our brief application to share more about yourself. Parent Application or Young Adult Application
Below is our current membership of OCMH Lived Experience Partners. Click on their name to learn more about each member. Please consider them a resource in system change work or as a peer.
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Abigail Hicks, Sauk County
Becky Krisko, Brown County
Erica Lofton, Milwaukee County
Jane Stueber, Milwaukee County
Jennifer Helt, Sauk County
Kimberlee Coronado, Waukesha County
Rachel Zwicky, Bayfield County
Robert Kaminski, Outagamie County
Shimika Harris, Milwaukee County
Shenika Moss, Milwaukee County
Terri DeGaro, Milwaukee County
For more information about the OCMH Lived Experience Partners, please contact OCMH@wisconsin.gov.