News

Celebrated every May, Older Americans Month (OAM) is led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). Established in 1963, OAM is a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to serving older adults in our communities.

This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health,” focuses on prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging. It encourages older adults to take an active role in their health — advocating for themselves, accessing preventive care, and making informed decisions that support independence.

At the Community Health Partner Summit, nearly 250 partners across sectors shared insights that were captured in a collaborative community map. This visual reflects both our strengths and areas for growth and helps bring context to the data we collect. Elements shown in gray highlight areas for growth, while the colored sections represent community strengths and assets. Incorporating these perspectives alongside traditional data provides a richer understanding and strengthens our advocacy for the community’s needs. Together, these efforts ensure we are grounding our next CHIP in both data and lived experience.

CHIP Insights Newsletter April 2026

Waukesha County Clerk Meg Wartman has lost her battle with cancer. In January, Wartman made the difficult decision to retire mid-term following a 2024 diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Waukesha County continued its coordinated response and damage assessment efforts today following multiple rounds of severe storms that moved through the county on the evening of Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

All County parks remain open, though some have areas of flooding and downed trees. Conditions may vary.

Every few years, Waukesha County Public Health invites residents to take part in the Community Health Survey, an important opportunity for people who live in Waukesha County (18+) to share their experiences, concerns, and priorities.

Waukesha County Board Chairman Jim Heinrich has announced the appointment of Georgia Maxwell as the next Waukesha County Clerk, following the retirement of Meg Wartman.

At Waukesha County Health and Human Services (HHS), we know strong communities are built by people who show up for one another—and our volunteers have been doing just that for more than 45 years. For decades, volunteers have been an essential part of how we serve Waukesha County. They’ve stepped in wherever help is needed, offering their time, energy, and compassion to support neighbors across our community. Their contributions have evolved over the years, but one thing has remained the same: a shared commitment to helping others.

Nutrition is a vital component of our health and well-being, especially as we age. But in communities throughout the U.S., older adults sometimes lack access to the high quality, nutritious food they need to remain healthy and independent. Funded by the Older Americans Act, the national Senior Nutrition Program has provided nutrition services to older Americans since 1972.

For several years, Daniel Shine, Director of Friendships Unlimited, and Amanda Huber, a Health and Human Services Coordinator, who works closely with youth, have co-chaired the CHIP Mental Health Action Team, working together to identify gaps, elevate priorities, and advance strategies that support community well-being.

Through that collaboration, one theme continued to emerge: momentum around youth mental health was growing, and community programming needed to grow with it.