Help Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Every question and answer across the site, organized by section and page. 308 FAQs in all — browse by section below, or jump straight to a page.
General Questions
Hope Council helps people, families, and communities in Kenosha County navigate substance use, recovery, prevention, diversion, testing, family support, risk reduction, related mental health challenges, and community education.
No. You can reach out even if you are not sure what to ask for yet. Hope Council can help you talk through options and find a practical next step.
Yes. Hope Council provides support not only for individuals experiencing substance use challenges, but also for parents, spouses, family members, caregivers, and other loved ones. We are happy to answer general questions, provide education, discuss available resources, and help families navigate their options. To protect our clients’ privacy, we cannot share any client-specific information without a signed Release of Information (ROI) on file. This commitment to confidentiality helps ensure every person can seek support in a safe, trusted environment.
Hope Council supports access to naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, safer-use supplies, safe disposal kits, and the Public Health Vending Machine. Start with the Risk Reduction section or contact Hope Council for current information.
Hope Council provides court-referred and diversion services, including IDP, AODA assessments, UDAAP, DAAP, Hold-Open / Alternative Agreements, General Diversion, and related pathways.
No, however, all inquiries will be responded to within one business day. Web forms should not be used for emergencies. If someone is in immediate danger or may be overdosing, call 911. For mental health or substance use crisis support, call or text 988. For local 24/7 crisis support, call 262-657-7188.
Get Help
Yes. You can reach out even if you are not sure what to ask for yet. Hope Council can help you talk through options and find a practical next step, with no judgment and no lectures.
Yes, in certain circumstances. Hope Council provides outpatient substance use treatment for individuals participating in the Intoxicated Driver Program (IDP). We also offer assessments, diversion services, testing, peer support, recovery coaching, prevention, and support for families and loved ones. When another level or type of care is the best fit, we connect individuals to a network of local treatment providers.
Call 911, give naloxone if available, and stay with the person until help arrives. For mental health or substance use crisis support, call or text 988. For local 24/7 crisis support, call 262-657-7188.
You can still get help. Contact Kenosha Human Development Services at 262-764-8555 or khds@khds.org about county funding and insurance options, and ask treatment providers about scholarships and self-pay financing.
Hope Council provides court-referred and diversion services, including the Intoxicated Driver Program, AODA assessments, UDAAP, and related pathways. Start with Court-Referred & Diversion, and bring your questions; the process is clear, fair, and human.
No. Web forms should not be used for emergencies. If someone is in immediate danger or may be overdosing, call 911. For mental health or substance use crisis support, call or text 988. For local 24/7 crisis support, call 262-657-7188.
Yes. Hope Council supports family members, partners, friends, and caregivers, not only the person using substances. You can reach out even if your loved one will not.
You can still act. Focus on safety, set boundaries you can keep, take small next steps, and get support for yourself through the Loved Ones Support Group or counseling. People do not have to be ready for treatment to deserve help, and neither do you.
If opioid overdose risk is present, yes. Hope Council prepares family members, friends, and loved ones with naloxone kits, education, and training on how to prevent, recognize, and respond to an opioid overdose, and supplies are available through the 24/7 Public Health Vending Machine.
No. The group meets Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 6103 39th Ave., Kenosha. There is no cost, no registration is required, and it is confidential.
The Loved Ones Support Group is confidential. Alcohol and drug services provided by Hope Council are protected by federal and state confidentiality laws; staff cannot share or discuss client information unless the participant has signed a Release of Information.
Yes. Hope Council supports family members, partners, friends, and caregivers, not only the person using substances. You can reach out even if your loved one will not.
You can still act. Focus on safety, set boundaries you can keep, take small next steps, and get support for yourself through the Loved Ones Support Group or counseling. People do not have to be ready for treatment to deserve help, and neither do you.
If opioid overdose risk is present, yes. Hope Council prepares family members, friends, and loved ones with naloxone kits, education, and training on how to prevent, recognize, and respond to an opioid overdose, and supplies are available through the 24/7 Public Health Vending Machine.
No. The group meets Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 6103 39th Ave., Kenosha. There is no cost, no registration is required, and it is confidential.
The Loved Ones Support Group is confidential. Alcohol and drug services provided by Hope Council are protected by federal and state confidentiality laws; staff cannot share or discuss client information unless the participant has signed a Release of Information.
Programs & Services
Completion is documented and reported according to what your agreement requires. Staff explain the reporting that applies to you at intake — you will know exactly what is sent, and to whom, before services begin.
Bring your paperwork to Hope Council, or call 262-658-8166 — staff review agreements every day and will confirm your requirements. For questions about the agreement itself, contact the DA’s office or your attorney; Hope Council cannot give legal advice.
It depends on which services your agreement requires. Published fees are listed on each service’s page (assessments, testing, UDAAP), and staff confirm the total that applies to you at intake.
The test itself takes minutes, and it reads alcohol use within hours of the test. Because the window is short, scheduling timing matters — call 262-658-8166 and staff will sort it with you.
If the requirement asks about right now, usually yes. If it asks about a pattern — the past weeks or months — ask about PEth or EtG biomarker testing instead. Describe the requirement when you call, and staff will point you to the right test.
$25, paid in full before testing. There is a $25 fee for no-shows; rescheduling with notice costs nothing.
Call 262-658-8166 and describe your situation. Staff will confirm what is needed to schedule — including any documentation or consent requirements that apply when testing a minor — without judgment about why you are asking.
No. The collection is a small hair sample — quick, painless, and done at any age. Staff handle these appointments with care, for you and for your child.
Cost and payment details are confirmed when you schedule. All testing is self-pay, with payment in full before testing is completed. No surprises — staff will tell you the full cost up front.
Alcohol and drug services at Hope Council are protected by federal and state confidentiality laws. Results go only to the authorized parties established when the test is scheduled — such as a court, attorney, or agency — through proper releases. You will know exactly who receives them before testing happens.
Substance Use Disorder counseling is offered at reduced rates, with the rate and payment details confirmed when you reach out. If cost is a concern, say so — navigating it is part of the help.
You don’t have to choose alone. Staff will talk through both with you; many people use different formats at different points.
No — and they work well together. Counseling is professional clinical support; peer support is no-cost help from a Certified Peer Specialist with lived experience. Plenty of people use both.
If your plan or referral involves counseling, contact Hope Council with your paperwork — staff will confirm what your requirement calls for and whether services here fit it.
No. Testing is open to anyone — court-referred, employer- or agency-referred, or entirely on your own. All tests are self-pay and by appointment.
Call Hope Council at 262-658-8166. Tell staff what the test is for, and they will confirm the right panel, the cost, and what to bring. Payment in full is required before testing is completed.
There is a $25 fee for testing appointment no-shows. If you need to cancel or reschedule, call ahead — rescheduling with notice costs nothing.
Alcohol and drug services at Hope Council are protected by federal and state confidentiality laws. Results go to you and to anyone you authorize through a signed Release of Information — such as a court, employer, or attorney. Nothing is shared without it.
No. Vending machine access is anonymous and available 24/7. Front-desk supplies are available with no questions and no judgment; syringe service packs are for anyone 18 and older.
The Public Health Vending Machine is outside the Hope Council office at 6103 39th Ave., 24/7, 365 days a year. Front-desk supplies are available Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
No. Supplies come without conditions. If you ever want a connection to peer support or treatment, ask — that door is always open, and it stays your choice.
A structured, evidence-based cognitive-behavioral program that builds decision-making and reasoning skills, used widely in justice-involved settings. At Hope Council, it serves people in criminal justice, family court, probation, and DA referral pathways.
Most participants are referred by a court, the DA’s office, or probation. If you have paperwork naming MRT, bring it — staff will confirm your requirements. Unsure whether MRT fits your situation? Call 262-658-8166.
Cost details are confirmed with staff at enrollment. Bring your questions — you will know what applies before you commit.
Staff explain the completion and reporting process for your specific requirement at intake, so you know exactly what finishing accomplishes — and who is notified.
It depends on what the result needs to show. EtG (nails or hair) looks back 4–6 months; PEth (bloodspot) looks back 3–5 weeks; drug panels cover 5 or 12 substances, alone or combined with EtG. Call 262-658-8166, describe the requirement, and staff will point you to the right one — no lecture included.
Fees are published up front: EtG $115, PEth $115, 5-panel $100, 12-panel $200, EtG + 5-panel $200, EtG + 12-panel $300. Testing for additional drugs is available on request at additional cost.
No. A biomarker result shows presence within the detection window — not specific dates or amounts. If precision matters for your situation, discuss it with the professionals relying on the result before you schedule.
You, and only the parties you authorize through a signed Release of Information. Alcohol and drug services at Hope Council are protected by federal and state confidentiality laws.
Staff help you identify the right service and walk you through what it involves — forms, documents, appointment steps, any fees that apply, and referral options if another provider is the better fit. You do not need to know the right program name before you call.
For most services, no. AODA assessments and alcohol and drug testing require no referral, and peer support, family programs, and risk-reduction supplies are open to anyone. Court-referred services follow the requirements of your referral.
Each service page lists its own scheduling, requirements, and fees where they apply. Peer support and risk-reduction supplies are no-cost; court-related programs and testing have published fees on their pages.
No. Peer Specialists bring lived experience, not a clipboard. The point is support and practical navigation — never blame.
Nothing. Certified Peer Specialist services are available at no cost.
Yes. Parents and caregivers of teens, young adults, and adult children all carry this differently — and all qualify for support.
Submit a peer support request or call 262-658-8166. A Peer Specialist will reach out, listen to what is happening, and go from there.
No referral is required. Families enroll through court orders, agreements, and their own arrangements — complete the intake documents and the coordinator will confirm what applies to your situation.
A one-time $50 enrollment fee, paid by the non-custodial (visiting) parent, plus hourly visitation fees: $35 per hour for the first 18 months of service, $50 per hour after 18 months, and $75 per hour after 24 months. Call the Visitation Coordinator at 262-658-8166 with any fee or payment questions.
At times convenient to the families we serve, including evenings and weekends. The coordinator sets the schedule with both parties after enrollment is complete.
Once both parties have returned their completed documents and the enrollment fee is paid, the program coordinator contacts each party to set up the visitation schedule.
Speaker fees are based on ability to pay. Mental Health First Aid training is free. Tell us what you need, and we will make it work.
Schools, workplaces, community centers, medical facilities, civic groups, faith communities — anyone with an audience that would benefit. Use the Request a Speaker form or call 262-658-8166.
Both coalitions welcome community participation — schools, businesses, parents, professionals, and neighbors. Start with the coalition page that fits your interest, or contact Hope Council.
Speaker fees are based on ability to pay — discussed and confirmed up front when you schedule. Budget should never be the barrier; tell us your situation.
No — deliberately. Hope Council’s programming is evidence-based and honest, because research is clear that scare tactics do not work and respect does. Young audiences get the facts and the credit to make informed decisions.
Yes. Audience, topic, depth, format, and timing are all matched to your request — from a single classroom session to workplace training to a community series.
Find the requirement named on your paperwork (IDP assessment, AODA assessment, UDAAP, or an agreement requirement) and start on that program’s page. If it is unclear, call 262-658-8166 — staff sort this out every day.
Court-related programs include the reporting their requirements call for — for example, the IDP sends completion reports to the Department of Transportation. Each program page explains what is reported and to whom.
Fees vary by program and are listed on each program’s page, exactly as published. Payment requirements and cancellation policies are listed there too, so you can plan ahead.
The Loved Ones Support Group is free, and parent peer support is no-cost. Supervised Visitation / Parenting Time has published enrollment and hourly fees, listed on its page — no surprises.
No referral is required for Supervised Visitation / Parenting Time, and the Loved Ones Support Group requires no registration at all. Court-ordered situations are welcome too — bring your paperwork and staff will sort out what applies.
Yes. Alcohol and drug services provided by Hope Council are protected by federal and state confidentiality laws; staff cannot share client information without a signed Release of Information.
No. Supplies come with no questions, no stigma, and no judgment. Syringe service packs require only that you are 18 or older.
The kits include resource information and are handed out without questions — if you are keeping someone you care about safer, that matters too. For naloxone specifically, free training is available so you know how to use it when it counts.
Then say so — that day, or any other. Peer support, treatment connections, and recovery options are always available, and never required.
No. Assessments are open to community members as well as people referred by courts, licensing boards, employers, and other professionals.
Yes. Every assessment results in clear recommendations — which may include education, treatment at an appropriate level of care, peer support, or other next steps — along with referral options to act on them.
Only with your signed Release of Information. Federal and state confidentiality laws protect all alcohol and drug services at Hope Council; you decide who receives your results, including referral sources requiring documentation.
Fee and payment details are confirmed when you schedule. Call 262-658-8166 and staff will walk you through what applies to your situation.
KRW focuses entirely on tobacco and nicotine across Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth Counties. This coalition covers every substance, in one county. Different scopes, same idea: prevention works best when a community does it together.
Organizations and individuals alike — public agencies, schools, healthcare, businesses, faith communities, recovery organizations, and residents. Contact Hope Council to get connected.
Community reports and findings are shared on this page and through Hope Council’s impact reporting as they are published.
Tobacco and nicotine prevention across Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth Counties: retailer education and compliance through Wisconsin Wins, smoke-free housing support through Clear Gains, retail marketing data through WRAP, candidate education, and youth prevention.
KRW focuses entirely on tobacco and nicotine, across three counties, with state funding. The Kenosha County Substance Abuse Coalition covers every substance in one county. Different scopes, same idea.
A free Wisconsin initiative helping multi-unit housing go smoke-free — with customizable model lease language, implementation timelines, enforcement tips, and resident education. Contact the coordinator to get started.
Free online training and certification for tobacco retailer employees is available at WITobaccoCheck.org, and the coalition provides retail employee education on the tobacco sales law.
The IDP is Wisconsin’s required process after an OWI: an assessment with a licensed assessor that results in a Driver Safety Plan — education, treatment, or both. Completing it is required to have full driving privileges in Wisconsin and other states.
A completed intake package, a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, and payment in full. Arrive on time (more than 15 minutes late counts as a cancellation) and substance-free for at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Yes — an assessment can be completed voluntarily before conviction (pre-trial). Note that if you complete it pre-trial, the Department of Transportation may require you to complete the Driver Safety Plan even if you are not convicted.
Hope Council is required by law to send a non-compliance report to the Department of Transportation, and your driving privileges may be withdrawn. If you are at risk of missing a deadline, call 262-658-8166 — extensions exist (a fee applies), and acting early is always better.
Yes. Every supply in the machine is no-cost, funded as part of Hope Council’s public health work.
No. Walk up, take what you need. Access is anonymous and available around the clock.
Stock varies as supplies are used and restocked. Front-desk supplies are available Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., or call 262-658-8166.
Because recovery is only possible for people who survive — and because barriers cost lives. In 2023, the machine’s first year, 448 doses of naloxone were distributed through it. Every one of those was a chance for someone’s story to keep going.
Hope Council is not a clinical treatment center — it provides treatment-support services: no-cost peer support, Moral Reconation Therapy, reduced-rate Substance Use Disorder counseling, assessments, and referral connections to local clinical providers when that level of care is the right next step.
Peer support is no-cost. Substance Use Disorder counseling is offered at reduced rates, with details confirmed when you reach out. Where insurance or funding questions come up, staff help you navigate options — including county funding through Kenosha Human Development Services.
No. You can reach out directly for peer support or counseling — and court-referred pathways like MRT follow the requirements of the referral. One call sorts out where to start: 262-658-8166.
Then don’t start with treatment. Start with a conversation, peer support, or just information. People do not have to be ready for treatment to deserve help — and nothing here requires you to be.
Yes. You must appear at your initial court date and ask to enter UDAAP before you can register. The class cannot be an option without that appearance.
All no-shows and class transfers are subject to a $50 fee. If you have a conflict, contact Hope Council before your class date — and if your return-to-court date falls before the next available class, contact your court about an extension.
Federal and state confidentiality laws prevent staff from sharing client information without the participant’s signed Release of Information — including with parents and guardians. If payment or additional information is needed, please have the participant contact the office directly.
Payment in full is required to finalize registration and can be made online or by phone. Refund requests are subject to a $25 processing fee.
No — the urine screen is non-witnessed, as published. If your requirement calls for something different, tell staff when you call and they will help you sort out what fits.
The 12-panel urine screen is $50. Laboratory confirmation testing is available for an additional $100. Payment in full is required before testing is completed.
If a court, employer, or agency will rely on the result, probably yes — a screen indicates, confirmation verifies. Ask when you schedule so the right process happens in one visit.
You, and only the parties you authorize through a signed Release of Information. Alcohol and drug services at Hope Council are protected by federal and state confidentiality laws.
Really. No cost, no registration, every Thursday from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at 6103 39th Ave.
Especially then. The group is for you — your understanding, your boundaries, your life. People do not have to be ready for treatment for their families to deserve support.
No. Listen for as long as you need. Share when and if you are ready.
It is a different program — an education-and-strategies support group based on the work of Dr. Ed Hughes — but it serves a similar need. Many families attend both. Find Al-Anon and other community meetings on the Recovery Meeting Calendar.
Nothing. Certified Peer Specialist services — recovery coaching, case management, telephone recovery support, and naloxone training — are available at no cost.
No. Peer support is for any stage of readiness — seeking support, in recovery, unsure where to start, or supporting someone else.
Lived experience, plus training and certification. Peers have been there — and are certified to turn that experience into practical, judgment-free support.
Use the Request Peer Support form, call 262-658-8166, or email info@hopecouncil.org. A Peer Specialist will follow up with you.
Resources
There’s no single test — the signs list above is the practical answer. You don’t need to be sure before reaching out, and a conversation costs nothing: 262-658-8166.
Yes. Confidential AODA assessments by licensed practitioners, no referral required — for court, employer, or licensing requirements, or just for your own clarity.
Yes — EtG (4–6 month window), PEth (3–5 week window), and breathalyzer (within hours), all by appointment with published fees. See Alcohol & Drug Testing.
After sustained heavy drinking, suddenly stopping can be dangerous — withdrawal from alcohol can be medically serious. Talk with a medical professional before detoxing on your own, and call 262-658-8166 to talk through safer options.
Start with the practical filters — payment, location, level of care — then call your top two or three and ask about intake timing and fit. An assessment can answer the level-of-care question first, and Hope Council staff can help you shortlist: 262-658-8166.
Title 19 — Wisconsin Medicaid. “Accepts T-19” means the provider takes Medicaid coverage.
Ask to be added, then keep moving — call the next option, and consider starting peer support now; it bridges the gap and people with support stay engaged at higher rates.
For some people, yes. About 3 in 10 people who use cannabis develop some degree of cannabis use disorder, and the risk is significantly higher when use starts young or runs daily. “Not as addictive as other substances” is true and beside the point if it’s running your life.
Not for recreational use. Whatever neighboring states allow, possession in Wisconsin can carry legal, school, work, and licensing consequences — including for products purchased legally elsewhere.
Calmly, factually, and more than once. Today’s products are genuinely different, which means honest concern has real footing — and lectures still don’t work. Start with Talking to Teens About Substance Use.
Yes — assessment, peer support, family guidance, UDAAP for underage citations, and prevention education. Call 262-658-8166 and describe what’s going on.
No. These pages are honest education and navigation — they do not replace medical care, assessment, or treatment. Every page points to the real support behind it.
Current public health sources, including the CDC, SAMHSA, and substance-specific research institutes, reviewed by Hope Council staff and dated so you know it’s current.
Call 262-658-8166 or start at Get Help — assessment and peer support cover all substances, listed here or not.
These directories focus on local and regional resources relevant to Kenosha County. If nothing fits, call 262-658-8166 — staff know options beyond what’s listed, including statewide and virtual resources.
Email info@hopecouncil.org or call 262-658-8166 — corrections genuinely help, and listings are re-verified on a regular cycle.
Listings are a navigation resource, not an endorsement. Hope Council doesn’t control outside organizations — ask providers your fit questions directly, and use the MAT page’s question list as a model.
Earlier than feels necessary — attitudes form well before high school, starting with things as simple as medication safety at home. The Talking to Youth page covers the early years; Talking to Teens picks up from there.
With a calm conversation, not a search of their room. Start with Talking to Teens for the how, the Vaping & Nicotine or substance pages for the what — and know that Hope Council’s family support and assessment services are there if it’s bigger than a conversation: 262-658-8166.
Teens are welcome everywhere on this site — and the substance information pages are written to respect their intelligence. For free, confidential quit support built for young people, see Vaping & Nicotine.
Recovery is defined by the person living it. For many people it means abstinence; for others it starts with medication, with using less, or with staying alive long enough to decide. Every legitimate starting point is on the Recovery Options page.
No — recurrence is a common part of many recovery paths, and a return to use is information for the next attempt, not a verdict on the person. Support that expects this works better than support that punishes it.
The Recovery Meeting Calendar lists local recovery meetings, Hope Council groups, and virtual options — one place to look.
Naloxone does no harm to someone who hasn’t taken opioids. When in doubt, give it — and call 911 either way.
The Public Health Vending Machine at 6103 39th Ave., 24/7, free, no questions. Front desk during business hours.
Always. It reverses the opioid part, which is what restores breathing. With xylazine present, the person may stay sedated after breathing returns; keep them on their side and stay until EMS arrives.
No. Most recovery meetings are hosted by community organizations and mutual-help fellowships; Hope Council lists them so there is one local place to look. Hope Council’s own groups and trainings are clearly marked.
Not for everything. Open meetings welcome anyone, and some groups exist specifically for family members and friends — including Hope Council’s Loved Ones Support Group, every Thursday at 5:30 PM.
Schedules change, especially around holidays. When in doubt, confirm details with the hosting organization — or call us at 262-658-8166.
Slow or stopped breathing, unresponsiveness, blue lips or fingertips, pinpoint pupils, gurgling sounds. Call 911, give naloxone if available, and stay with the person.
The opioid overdose reversal medication — it rapidly blocks opioids and can restore breathing when given in time. It is free at the vending machine and front desk, safe to use, and does nothing harmful if opioids turn out not to be involved.
Yes — unambiguously. MAT combines medications with treatment and is among the most evidence-based approaches for opioid use disorder. “Replacing one drug with another” is stigma, not science. See MAT Providers for local options.
Wherever fits: free supplies (right now, no questions), peer support (no cost, any readiness), assessment and treatment navigation, or family support. One number reaches all of it: 262-658-8166.
Start with your situation, not a category: worried about yourself → Get Help for Myself; worried about someone else → For a Loved One; worried about a teen → Youth and Teens; worried about overdose → Overdose Prevention. Or skip the reading and call 262-658-8166.
No. These pages are education and navigation — honest, current, and practical — but they do not replace assessment, treatment, medical, or crisis care. Every page points to the real help behind it.
External links and national organizations are provided for convenience; Hope Council does not control or guarantee outside information. Local directory listings are maintained and verified on a regular cycle.
Try hard to wake them: shout their name, shake their shoulders, rub your knuckles firmly on their breastbone. A sleeping person responds. An overdosing person doesn’t — and that’s your answer. Check breathing and act.
Slow and shallow, gurgling, rattling, or a deep, unusual snore — or nothing at all. Strange breathing sounds in someone you can’t wake are an emergency.
Stay with them and make sure 911 is still coming. Naloxone is temporary — overdose symptoms can return when it wears off, especially with fentanyl in the supply.
No. Naloxone does no harm to a person who hasn’t taken opioids — the risk of giving it unnecessarily is essentially zero, and the risk of withholding it isn’t. When in doubt, give it.
Typically within 2–3 minutes. If nothing changes by then, give a second dose in the other nostril. EMS continues from there.
Yes — check the date on yours, and replace expired or used doses free at the vending machine. An expired dose is still better than no dose in a true emergency.
No — the steps on this page are the whole procedure. But free training builds the confidence that makes people act fast, and it takes about ten minutes. Worth it.
Yes. Naloxone wears off before many opioids do, and symptoms can return hours later. “Fine right now” is the middle of the window, not the end of it.
Gently, once, when they’re stable: “Would you talk to someone, one time?” Then let it breathe. The days after an overdose open a real window — pressure slams it; presence keeps it open.
Completely. Responding to an overdose is traumatic even when you save the life. Talk to someone — the Loved Ones Support Group, a counselor, or 988 if it’s heavy. You did the hardest right thing there is.
Free, 24/7, at the Public Health Vending Machine outside Hope Council, 6103 39th Ave. — or the front desk during business hours.
Yes — constantly. Readiness arrives on its own clock, usually quietly, often after the consequences accumulate and a judgment-free door is still open. Your job isn’t to schedule that moment; it’s to make sure the door exists when it comes.
Sometimes it helps; sometimes it backfires into deeper isolation. It depends on the person, the relationships, and how it’s done. Talk it through with Hope Council first — 262-658-8166 — before committing to the dramatic version.
In some situations, families explore court-ordered treatment through a Three-Party Petition. It’s a significant legal step with real tradeoffs — contact Hope Council to understand what’s involved, and consult an attorney for legal questions.
Stepping back from rescuing is not stepping away from loving. You can stop absorbing consequences, protect your own life, and remain warmly, visibly available — all at once. That combination is usually what the turning point eventually walks through.
No — that idea is stigma, not science. MAT medications are FDA-approved, taken as prescribed under medical care, and they restore stability rather than impairment. People on MAT work, parent, drive, and live in recovery. The evidence: fewer overdose deaths, better treatment retention, stronger long-term outcomes.
It varies by provider — some offer same-week or even same-day intake. Ask “how soon can I be seen?” first; if the answer is slow, call the next provider. When someone is ready, speed matters.
Requirements vary by provider and medication — ask. Most evidence supports medication plus counseling and recovery support together, and no-cost peer support pairs with MAT at any provider.
No — Hope Council does not provide prescription services. What it does is connect: assessment, navigation to MAT providers, peer support alongside treatment, and help with the insurance and funding questions.
Options exist with or without insurance: county funding through KHDS, provider scholarships, self-pay financing, free mutual-help groups, and Hope Council’s no-cost peer support. Cost is a problem to solve, not a door that’s closed.
No. Peer support, assessment, mutual-help meetings, and harm-reduction supplies all meet people in active use. Recovery options exist at every stage of readiness — that’s the point of a menu.
That’s exactly what an assessment determines — a licensed practitioner matches the level of care to your actual situation, so you’re neither under-supported nor over-prescribed.
A sponsor is a mutual-help group relationship; a Certified Peer Specialist is a trained, certified professional with lived experience providing structured support at no cost. Many people have both — they do different jobs.
No — not unless the label or pharmacist specifically says to. Most medications belong in a drop box or disposal kit, not the water system.
Most medication drop boxes don’t accept them. Sharps need their own disposal path — start with Syringe Service Providers or call 262-658-8166 for current options.
No. Drop boxes are free to use, take-back events are free, and Hope Council’s disposal kits are free at the vending machine and front desk.
Yes — and it’s a kind thing to do. Bring what’s accepted to a drop box or use disposal kits, and if the loss is connected to substance use, support exists for you too: the Loved Ones Support Group welcomes grieving family members.
It’s outcome correctness. The words measurably change help-seeking, treatment retention, and even professional judgment. If a free, instant change makes someone more likely to ask for help, the label on the change doesn’t matter much.
Then you’re a person who grew up in the same culture as everyone else. Correct it and keep going — the goal is direction, not perfection. Nobody in recovery is keeping score of your vocabulary; they’re noticing whether you’re safe to talk to.
Their story, their words — many people use that language for themselves, especially in mutual-help traditions. Follow their lead about them, and stay person-first about everyone else.
Yes — stigma-and-language training for staff, policies, and materials, with fees based on ability to pay. Use the Request a Speaker form or call 262-658-8166.
Support helps the person; enabling helps the substance use. Buying groceries supports; covering for a missed shift enables. The test: does this action protect their wellbeing, or protect the use from its consequences? Imperfect calls are inevitable — patterns matter more than single decisions.
No. Stepping out of rescuing is not the same as abandoning — you can stop absorbing consequences and stay warmly, stubbornly in relationship. Both halves matter.
Longer than anyone wants, usually with setbacks — which is why your own support is structural, not optional. Recovery timelines belong to them; your sustainability belongs to you.
Move while the window is open: call 262-658-8166, request peer support, or look at treatment providers today. Willingness is precious and perishable.
At the Hope Council front desk: no questions; packs are for anyone 18 or older. The vending machine is fully anonymous. Confirm Vivent Health’s current process when you visit — their program is built on the same judgment-free care.
Syringe services programs operate and exist precisely so people can access supplies safely. Walking in is a health decision, and it’s treated like one.
Nothing — supplies at the front desk, the vending machine, and Lifepoint are free.
Hope Council & Vivent Health accept used syringes for disposal. They must be dropped off in a hard-sided container, such as a milk jug, an empty detergent bottle, or a personal sharps container. Sharps containers are available from Hope Council at no cost.
Before there’s a concern — and if there’s already a concern, then today. The topic rewards returning to it; no single conversation carries the weight.
End the conversation early and well: “Fair enough — I’m not accusing you of anything. I just want us able to talk about this stuff.” Short and calm now buys the next conversation. Defensiveness usually softens when interrogation stops.
Honest and boundaried: share what you learned, skip the war stories, and don’t lie — teens have radar for it, and credibility is the whole game. “I made choices I’d handle differently now” is enough.
Yes — evidence-based programming with fees based on ability to pay. Use the Request a Speaker form or call 262-658-8166.
There’s no “too young” for medication safety and “you can always ask me.” Simple, age-appropriate honesty scales from preschool up — the topics grow with the kid.
Honest and boundaried beats both lying and oversharing: “I made some choices I’d do differently, and here’s what I learned.” You don’t owe details — you owe truth at their level. Lying risks the credibility every future conversation depends on.
Then this conversation matters more, not less — family history is a real risk factor, and naming it (age-appropriately, without drama) is protective. “Some families have a harder time with alcohol, ours is one, so we’re careful” is honest, calm, and enough.
Yes — evidence-based prevention programming for classrooms, youth organizations, and parent nights, with fees based on ability to pay. Use the Request a Speaker form or call 262-658-8166.
For a developing brain, yes — modern products deliver heavy nicotine doses, dependence builds fast, and nicotine affects attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. Serious doesn’t mean hopeless: support works, and most teens who vape want to quit.
Consequences are your call as a parent — but consequences alone don’t treat dependence. Whatever you decide about rules, pair it with quit support and keep the conversation open. The teens who quit are the supported ones, not the most punished ones.
Labeling is genuinely unreliable — liquids sold as nicotine-free have repeatedly tested otherwise. Skip the argument about the label and talk about what’s actually in their hand: “we can’t know what’s in it” is accurate and harder to argue with.
Yes — vaping prevention programming, parent nights, and staff support, delivered in partnership with local schools and public health. Use the Request a Speaker form or call 262-658-8166.
Yes and yes. No payment, no sign-in, no cameras pointed at your choices. Walk up, take what you need.
The front desk carries additional supplies (including syringe service packs, 18+) during business hours, and staff can point you anywhere else: 262-658-8166.
Yes. Hope Council’s machine was Kenosha County’s first, and Kenosha County Public Health now operates machines at the WIC office (Uptown), the Job Center, and The Sharing Center in Trevor — plus a City of Racine machine at the State Street transit center. All locations are listed above.
The machine was established through a Wisconsin Department of Health Services grant, and community support keeps supplies stocked — one of the most direct things donations do.
Give it anyway — always. Opioids are almost always present, and naloxone reverses the opioid part, which is what restores breathing. The person may stay sedated after; keep them on their side, watch their breathing, and stay until EMS arrives.
Free, and no. The vending machine is anonymous and open 24/7; the front desk hands supplies across with no questions during business hours.
A lethal amount fits on a pencil tip, and it is undetectable by sight, smell, or taste. That is not a scare tactic — it is the reason test strips and naloxone are free.
Get medical care early — deep, growing, dark, or non-healing wounds will not improve on their own. If you don’t know where to go, call 262-658-8166 and staff will help you find care without judgment.
They avoid combustion, which matters — but they deliver plenty of nicotine, dependence is dependence, and for young people and non-users there is no upside to start. “Safer than cigarettes” is the lowest bar a product can clear.
Support plus tools: free quit-line coaching (1-800-QUIT-NOW), quit medications or nicotine replacement through a health care provider, a plan for the triggers, and patience with the process. Each combined support roughly increases the odds.
Several. Most people who quit for good didn’t do it on the first try — a failed attempt is data, not a verdict.
Clear Gains — Wisconsin’s smoke-free housing initiative through the KRW Coalition — provides free model lease language, implementation timelines, enforcement tips, and resident education. Contact the coalition coordinator to start.
Vaping is not a safe activity. The aerosol contains chemicals of real concern, nicotine dependence is nicotine dependence, and for young people and anyone who doesn’t smoke, there is no health upside to start. Whatever vaping’s role for adults leaving cigarettes, that debate has nothing to do with a 15-year-old.
Often far more than people assume — a single pod or disposable can contain as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes or more, delivered smoothly enough that it doesn’t feel like it.
Take a breath before the conversation. Calm and curious gets further than confiscation and lecture — start with Talking to Teens About Substance Use, and know that free teen quit support exists when they’re ready.
Yes. Hope Council delivers youth vaping prevention in partnership with schools and community partners. Use the Request a Speaker form or call 262-658-8166.
Yes. Crisis lines exist for “I’m not sure” — 988 and 262-657-7188 take those calls all day, and reaching out early beats waiting for certainty. Nobody will tell you it wasn’t bad enough.
988 is the national crisis lifeline; 262-657-7188 is Kenosha County’s local 24/7 line with connection to county crisis services. Both work — use whichever you remember first.
Hope Council is not a 24/7 crisis service — use 911, 988, or 262-657-7188 in the moment. Where Hope Council helps is right after and alongside: navigation, peer support, family support, and the plan for what comes next.
Get Involved
No prior experience is required for most opportunities. Compassion, reliability, and a willingness to support the mission are what matter most. If a specific role requires training, staff will walk you through it before you begin.
Yes. Corporate and group volunteering is welcome — workplace teams, civic groups, students, and faith communities can volunteer together. Groups interested in deeper partnership can also explore sponsorship.
A staff member will contact you to discuss opportunities that match your interests, availability, and goals. If your role requires orientation or training, that comes next — then you begin.
Volunteers must be 18 or older for roles involving client services, which are protected by confidentiality laws. Younger volunteers are often able to help at community events and other activities with a parent or guardian’s signed consent — contact Hope Council to find an opportunity that fits.
No. You can share publicly with your name, with a first name only, anonymously, or privately just to Hope Council staff. You choose, and you can change your mind.
No. Every story is reviewed by staff, and nothing is published without your explicit permission for the specific use. You will know exactly where your story may appear before anything is shared.
Yes. You can withdraw your permission at any time, and Hope Council will remove your story from the places it controls. Contact us at info@hopecouncil.org or 262-658-8166.
If you or someone you love needs support right now, start at Get Help or call 262-658-8166. The story form is not monitored for crisis support. Your story will still matter later, whenever you are ready.
Current openings are always posted on this page. If nothing is listed, there are no open positions right now — but volunteering is a meaningful way to be part of the work in the meantime.
It depends on the role. Assessment positions require credentials such as SAC-IT or greater (or qualifying professional status under Wisconsin DHS 61.06); program coordination and administrative roles may not. Each posting lists its specific requirements.
Each posting includes its application instructions. In general, email a cover letter and resume to apply@hopecouncil.org — applications without cover letters are not considered.
Signature events are featured here on the Events page. For dates, details, or to register, call 262-658-8166 or send a General Inquiry.
Yes — events are one of the easiest ways to start volunteering. Complete the Volunteer Interest Form and mention event support, and staff will connect you with upcoming needs.
Yes. Event sponsorship is one of the most visible ways to support Hope Council’s work. See Sponsor Hope Council or contact 262-658-8166.
Donations support Hope Council’s programs in Kenosha County: no-cost peer support and recovery coaching, naloxone and risk-reduction supplies, prevention education, family programming, and community training. The annual impact report shows this work in verified numbers.
Hope Council on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, Inc. is tax exempt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Your donation is tax deductible. EIN 39-1098683. No goods or services were provided by the organization.
Yes. Call 262-658-8166 to give by phone or ask about mailing a check to Hope Council at 6103 39th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53142.
Both. Businesses can make a direct gift here, or explore a visible partnership — event, program, training, or supply sponsorship — through Sponsor Hope Council.
Events, programs, trainings, supplies, and in-kind contributions are all options — from a signature event like Light Up the Longest Night to naloxone trainings or youth prevention programming. Staff will help you find the fit.
Yes. Many organizations pair sponsorship with a corporate volunteer day, event participation, or group support. It is a great way to involve your whole team.
Recognition is confirmed with each sponsor and may include website, event signage, program materials, social media, and report acknowledgements depending on the sponsorship. Staff will walk through the options with you.
Sponsorship is typically a visible partnership tied to an event, program, or initiative, often with recognition benefits. A donation is a direct gift of any size. Both fund the same mission — choose whichever fits you.
Volunteer your time, apply for a career, share your story, sponsor as a business or organization, make a donation, or attend an event. If you are not sure where to start, contact Hope Council and staff will help you find the right fit.
Yes. Hope Council welcomes corporate and group volunteering alongside one-time, ongoing, and skill-based volunteer opportunities. Workplaces interested in deeper partnership can also explore sponsorship.
Upcoming events, meetings, and trainings are posted on the Recovery Meeting Calendar, and Hope Council’s signature events are described on the Events page.
About
Hope Council tracks service contacts, assessments completed, supplies distributed, youth reached, training hours delivered, and families supported — reported annually with verified data.
Yes. The most recent annual impact report is linked above.
Donations, sponsorships, volunteer time, and program partnerships all expand Hope Council’s reach. See Ways to Help for options.
The most recent annual impact report is featured on the Impact page, and each new report is announced here when it is released.
Upcoming meetings, groups, trainings, and community events live on the Recovery Meeting Calendar. News covers what has been announced or has already happened.
Yes. Call 262-658-8166 or email info@hopecouncil.org, and staff will connect you with the right person.
Hope Council is led by Executive Director Michelle Sandberg, SAC-IT, IDP-AT, supported by a staff of credentialed professionals working across assessment, peer support, prevention, program coordination, and administration.
The Board of Directors provides governance, oversight, stewardship, and community leadership. Board members are volunteers who help ensure the organization fulfills its mission responsibly and transparently.
To connect with Hope Council for partnership, referrals, speaking requests, sponsorship, or other collaboration, visit Contact Us or Partners & Funders.
Hope Council was founded in 1968 in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. What began as a counseling-focused organization has grown into a broad, community-based resource serving individuals, families, youth, courts, schools, and community partners across more than 55 years.
Yes, and much more. Hope Council’s work now spans alcohol and other substance use across a full continuum: prevention, education, intervention, assessment, referral, family support, peer support, recovery coaching, risk reduction, testing, and community training. The name reflects the organization’s history and the communities it continues to serve.
Hope Council’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance use disorders in the community by providing education, prevention, intervention, and referral services. The organization’s core belief: Hope changes everything.
Hope Council provides treatment, prevention, education, intervention, assessment, referral, family support, peer support, recovery coaching, risk reduction, testing, and community training for individuals, families, youth, and community members impacted by substance use in Kenosha County.
Hope Council is not a clinical treatment provider. Hope Council provides assessment, diversion, referral, peer support, recovery coaching, family support, risk reduction, testing, and prevention — and connects people to local treatment providers when clinical care is the right next step. See Treatment Providers.
6103 39th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53142. Phone: 262-658-8166. Email: info@hopecouncil.org. Office hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Hope Council partners with public health agencies, county services, schools, courts, healthcare providers, recovery organizations, community nonprofits, businesses, funders, and individual donors. Partnerships range from formal grant-funded collaborations to referral relationships and community coalitions.
Yes. Hope Council accepts referrals from courts, employers, schools, treatment providers, healthcare providers, and community partners. Contact Hope Council at 262-658-8166 or info@hopecouncil.org to discuss a referral or establish a referral relationship.
Yes. Hope Council staff are available for community education, professional training, and speaking engagements on topics related to substance use prevention, intervention, and recovery support. Use the Request a Speaker form or contact Hope Council directly.
Grants, county funding, donations, and sponsorships allow Hope Council to provide services regardless of a client’s ability to pay, sustain no-cost programs like peer support, keep risk-reduction supplies available 24/7, and expand reach into schools and community settings.
