The N.E.W Mental Health Connection is excited to introduce Tiffany Yang as the newly hired project coordinator who will lead the DRIVE Health Project, a new initiative to improve the mental health of the Fox Cities’ Hmong and Black communities.
Tiffany Yang
The project is being funded by a three-year, $1 million grant from the Wisconsin Community Safety Fund to aid in reducing violence stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The WCSF was created to support local, evidence-informed activities that enhance the safety and wellbeing of children, youth, and families throughout Wisconsin. The WCSF is administered by the Comprehensive Injury Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the Black and Hmong communities,” said Tiffany, who grew up in Manitowoc and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “I’m really interested in grassroots, community organizing, and this job is an opportunity for me to explore all my passions in one position and help others.”
The Fox Cities was one of 10 communities and organizations throughout Wisconsin selected to receive the grant funding, totaling $10.4 million, which comes from a portion of the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars received by the state.
The DRIVE Health Project will work to address the unmet mental health needs of Hmong and Black community through several strategies, including training Community Health Workers, developing a dedicated peer support phoneline, building equitable pathways into healthcare, and implementing mental health literacy and anti-stigma campaigns.
Tiffany previously worked as a victim services grant specialist for the state of Wisconsin. “I have grown to love grant management work but didn’t get to see a lot of the people who I served,” she added.
Previously, Tiffany has volunteered at The Hmong Institute in Madison and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for CASA of Dane & Columbia Counties. She is also an alumna of the Alpha Pi Charter of Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. which aimed to combat violence against women in its varied forms. Her work and experience in Sigma Psi Zeta have fueled her passion for promoting health and well-being within the community. In her free time, Tiffany loves to cook, spend time with family and friends and is learning to crochet.
The DRIVE Health Project is a collaboration among the N.E.W. Mental Health Connection, United Way Fox Cities, People of Progression, NEW Hmong Professionals, and Partnership Community Health Center. The three-year project will also receive ongoing support from the Comprehensive Injury Center at MCW to assist with data, evaluation, and training.
