Friday, September 18, 2026

What do you do when someone you care about just isn’t themselves?

Maybe a friend, neighbor, family member or coworker is struggling. You notice something is off, but you’re not sure what to say or how to help.

COMET™ is a 2-hour virtual training designed to help everyday people feel more prepared to support someone who may be experiencing emotional distress, especially before a crisis occurs.

During the training, you’ll learn how to:

• Start a conversation that could be difficult or emotional

• Be present and supportive without feeling like you have to “fix it”

• End the conversation in a helpful way by offering resources, follow-up or next steps

You don’t have to be a mental health professional to make a difference. Sometimes, simply knowing how to start the conversation can be a really important first step.

Friday, October 23, 2026

1:00–3:00 p.m.

Virtually via Zoom

Brought to you by Katie Daul and Sarah Schindel, Oconto County Extension Educators.

Register here: https://go.wisc.edu/18g79c

Let’s make sure our friends, families and neighbors know they don’t have to face hard things alone.

Join our WeCOPE seven‑week, interactive program to learn skills for coping with stress and difficult times. The series is based on the research of Dr. Judith Moskowitz and has been shown in randomized trials to reduce stress and depression, increase positive affect, and improve healthy behaviors. Dr. Moskowitz’s work shows that positive emotions can occur even during serious life stress and that cultivating those emotions supports healthier coping and better self‑care.

Each one-hour session includes interactive activities focused on learning and practicing positive coping skills. Participants are encouraged to practice the skills between sessions to get the most from the program.

Topics include:

Mindfulness

Emotion awareness

Positive reappraisal

Gratitude, noticing and savoring

Self-compassion

Acts of kindness

Personal strengths and goals

Classes are offered virtually via Zoom. Participants should register for one section. The program costs $20, which includes a mailed workbook and certificate of continuing education contact hours. The fee is waived for rural residents.

Questions? Contact healthandwellbeing@extension.wisc.edu.

Section 1: Mondays, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CT
October 5–November 16

Section 2: Tuesdays, 6–7 p.m. CT
October 6–November 17

📅 September 30, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM CT
💲 Cost: $50

Youth Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based training that teaches adults how to recognize, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in young people. This course is ideal for parents, educators, youth-serving professionals, caregivers, and other adults who regularly interact with adolescents.

Participants will learn practical skills to:

Identify warning signs of mental health concerns

Respond confidently in a supportive way

Connect youth to appropriate professional help and resources

Individuals who live or work in rural areas may be eligible to receive materials at no cost through available grant funding.
Learn more about rural scholarship support.

Take control of the future and give your loved ones peace of mind with Planning AHEAD: For the End of This Life. This FREE 7-week virtual program guides you through essential end-of-life choices so your family won't have to navigate difficult decisions alone.

Program Details:

Dates: Tuesdays, November 3 – December 15, 2026

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Location: Virtual via Zoom

Cost: FREE (includes class and workbook)

Topics Covered:

Getting Started

Handling Financial Changes

Advance Medical and Legal Directives

Estate Planning

Choices in End-of-Life Care

Final Wishes

Understanding Grief

🔗 Register online here: https://go.wisc.edu/fc2mcl

Have questions? Contact Katie Daul at katie.daul@wisc.edu or call 920-834-6848.

Do you feel behind because you don't have a computer at home, but purchasing one isn't within your budget? UW-Extension Oconto County, Tri-County United Way, United Way of Wisconsin, and Techquity are partnering to bring no-cost laptop distribution events to our community!

How It Works

The United Way has specific eligibility criteria for who can receive a free laptop. To check your eligibility and complete your required pre-registration, choose the link corresponding to your preferred location below. During registration, you will select your specific pickup appointment time.

Eligibility Requirements

Community members ages 13 and older

Must be Wisconsin residents

Do not currently own a personal laptop, computer, or tablet

Have not previously received a device through this program

Meet the program’s financial/eligibility criteria

Event Locations & Registration Links:

Riverview Location

Date & Time: Monday, October 5th | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Location: Town of Riverview, 15152 Island Lake Road, Mountain, WI 54149

Register Here: unitedwaywi.org/event/Riverview-10-5

Oconto Location

Date & Time: Tuesday, October 6th | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Oconto County Law Enforcement Center, 220 Arbutus Avenue, Oconto, WI 54153

Register Here: unitedwaywi.org/event/Oconto-10-6

October is Cyber Security Month! Join us for Digital Learning Days to build your tech confidence, protect your information, and learn essential online skills. Bring your own devices!

Event Details:

Where: Gillett Community Center (204 E. Main St., Gillett)

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Cost: Free (Registration appreciated)

Session Schedule:

Computer Basics: Monday, Oct. 26

Net Etiquette: Tuesday, Oct. 27

Frauds and Scams: Wednesday, Oct. 28

Intro to Email: Thursday, Oct. 29

Connecting to Government Resources: Monday, Nov. 2

Social Media Savvy: Tuesday, Nov. 3

Buy and Sell Online: Wednesday, Nov. 4

Zoom for Participants: Thursday, Nov. 5

🔗 Register online: https://go.wisc.edu/6nk6r1

For more info or assistance registering, call Oconto County Extension at 920-834-6848 or email Katie.Daul@wisc.edu.

If you’re a family caregiver, you understand both the rewards and challenges of caregiving. Powerful Tools for Caregivers can help!

You may not even think of yourself as a caregiver – you’re simply helping someone you love. But when the stresses and difficulties that often come with caregiving become overwhelming, it’s important to take care of yourself too. That’s where Powerful Tools for Caregivers © (PTC) comes in. 

Questions?  Contact Katie Daul

Katie.Daul@wisc.edu

Direct: (920) 834-6848

According to a Money Matters for Kids report by Acorns, 57% of parents say that talking about topics like drugs and puberty with their children is actually easier than discussing money. Financial conversations often bring up anxiety, with 1 in 3 parents avoiding money chats altogether due to feeling uncomfortable or unsure where to start. Because of this, nearly half of parents (46%) look for trusted tools or apps to help teach financial concepts rather than leading the conversation themselves.

Partner With Us: Bring a "Money as You Grow" Workshop to Your Group

Our Extension office offers a Money as You Grow book read program that you can bring directly to your community or organization. This session provides an engaging, stress-free way to build financial literacy across generations:

For Kids: An interactive story time and hands-on activities that introduce foundational financial concepts in a relatable way.

For Parents: Practical tools, conversation starters, and simple strategies to keep money conversations going naturally at home long after the story ends.

Interested in hosting or partnering?

Contact Financial Educator Katie Daul at katie.daul@wisc.edu

The 2026–2027 4-H Year is Officially OPEN for Enrollment!

Enroll online through 4HOnline:

https://4honline.com/#/user/sign-in

Questions about enrollment? Contact:

aimee.elkins@wisc.edu

Get ready for a year filled with hands-on learning, new experiences, friendships, leadership opportunities, community service, and FUN. We can't wait to see what you'll accomplish this year!

Find Your Spark. Grow Your Skills. Make Your Mark.

A new 4-H year means new opportunities to learn, lead, serve, explore, and grow!

Whether you're excited to dive deeper into your favorite projects, try something brand new, build leadership skills, make lifelong friends, or discover a new passion, 4-H has something for everyone!

Returning Members:

It's time to re-enroll! Log in using your existing family account information and complete your enrollment for the new 4-H year.

New Families:

We would love to welcome you to the Oconto County 4-H family! Create a new account and begin your 4-H journey today!

Men's Mental Health Event
Healthy Oconto County Coalition

Let’s be real—life gets heavy. Work, family, expectations, and dealing with difficult people can wear you down fast. Most guys just push through it. This event is about giving you better ways to handle it.

Join us for a practical, no-fluff night with Dr. Michael Weber, a nationally recognized speaker with 40+ years of experience. He’ll break down how to deal with negative people, communicate without escalating conflict, and keep yourself from getting pulled into the negativity.

What to expect:
• Straightforward, useful strategies you can actually use
• A solid meal (family-style dinner included)
• A relaxed setting—no pressure, just real conversation
• Chances to win some great raffle prizes (YETI cooler, grill/smoker, gift cards, and more)

Event Details:
Thursday, October 22, 2026
5:00–8:00 PM (Dinner served at 5:30)
Romy’s Holiday Inn
9600 Hwy G, Suring, WI

Cost: $25 (includes dinner + program)

You must be present to win raffle prizes.

If cost is a barrier, reach out—we have sponsorships available to help cover registration.

Questions or need help registering:
Brenda Rehberg
(920) 835-1101
Brenda.Rehberg@emplifyhealth.org

Register: 

A free conference where fathers, mentors, coaches and allies from across Wisconsin gather to learn, support each other and strengthen their roles in their families and communities. 

Build strength and boost your well-being with Strong Bodies this autumn!

StrongBodies is an evidence-based strength training program designed for aging adults to help improve muscle mass, bone density, energy levels, and overall wellness. Great for beginners and adults of all ages and fitness levels!

📌 Program Details:

Dates: October 6 – December 17, 2026

When: Tuesdays & Thursdays | 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Where: Virtual via Zoom

🔗 Register online today: https://forms.gle/2GZPvQBJQyF585f29

For questions, reach out to strongbodies@extension.wisc.edu or visit https://health.extension.wisc.edu/strongbodies/ to learn more!

2026 Topics Include:

• Tax-Filing Basics

• Budgeting & Spending Plans

• Credit Reports

• Getting Out of Debt

• Saving Basics

• Fraud & Scam Prevention

• Money Habits & Holiday Spending

…and more!

Join the Extension Horticulture Program throughout 2026 for an opportunity to connect with plant health experts from the UW-Madison Division of Extension. Each session, held monthly on Wednesdays, offers a chance to ask questions about trees and shrubs, homegrown fruits and vegetables, indoor plants, ornamental landscapes, lawns, and more.

Whether it’s about plant problems, diseases, pesky insects, or the selection and general care of plants in and around your home, our panel of seasoned experts will provide you with insightful answers.

The goal of these sessions is to connect how sustainable gardening practices positively impact landscapes and ecosystems, cultivate your knowledge of horticulture practices that improve biodiversity in landscapes, increase your understanding of climate change in horticulture, and promote adaptive strategies and the adoption of resilient gardening practices.

These online sessions are free but registration is required for each session that you would like to attend. Upon registration you will receive an email confirmation with the link for joining the session.

Do you have questions about your garden, lawn, trees, or plants? The Horticulture Help Desk is here to help!

Join us for Help Desk Hours every Monday and Thursday from 1:00–3:00 PM, where you’ll have real-time access to a horticulture professional ready to assist with your gardening questions.

Choose a 15- or 30-minute session during available times:

Mondays & Thursdays: 1:00–3:00 PM

Fridays: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM (as needed)

Appointments can be held via Zoom or phone, making it easy and convenient to get expert advice from wherever you are.

🌿 Book your appointment today: go.wisc.edu/HortHelpDesk

Whether you're troubleshooting plant issues, planning your garden, or looking for expert advice, we’re here to support your growing success!

Have a yard or garden question but can’t make it to Help Desk hours? We’ve got you covered!

Submit your question anytime using our online form—available 24/7. Whether it’s about plants, lawns, trees, or garden pests, our horticulture experts are ready to help.

👉 Submit your question here: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/ask-a-gardening-question/