About Us
About Us
Driving positive change for a healthier Wisconsin, one community at a time.
At Extension’s Health & Well-Being Institute, we’re on a mission to make Wisconsin a healthier place to live. We tackle the big challenges—like food security, preventing chronic diseases, improving mental health, and accessing health insurance —through research-informed programs. Whether you’re in a city or a rural area, we’re here, working side by side with communities to ensure everyone in Wisconsin has the chance to live a healthier life.
Health & Well-Being Institute Program Areas
We’re organized in teams of health professionals set up to support community partners and strengthen Wisconsin communities. Our teams represent four key program areas and one strategic partnership.
FoodWIse
Providing nutrition education and partnering with schools, coalitions, childcare centers, and community organizations to advance healthy eating habits and active lifestyles for individuals and families with limited incomes.
Behavioral Health
Working with local leaders to create healthier communities by building skills, tools and resources to promote positive mental health and prevent substance misuse.
Healthy Eating Active Living
Helping communities provide accessible and safe physical activity spaces and food sources.
Covering Wisconsin
Connecting Wisconsin residents with health insurance and other programs that support health.
Center for Patient Partnerships
This strategic partnership enables us to do and teach health advocacy to create a more just, people-centered healthcare system that works for all patients and providers.
Mission
We support healthier lives by working with and for the people, communities, and Tribal nations of Wisconsin to build relationships, facilitate learning, and pursue data-informed and culturally-based strategies.
Values
In living our values, the Health & Well-Being Institute:
Strategic Priorities
Equity in Health
We’re committed to creating fair and equitable health outcomes for everyone, using strategies that truly make a difference.
Community-Based Research and Programs
We deliver top-notch, culturally relevant applied research and education. Our goal is to ensure clear and effective communication with everyone—from our team members to the communities we serve.
Resilient Team and Structure
We build a strong, adaptable Health & Well-Being Institute team by focusing on thorough onboarding and ongoing professional development. Our staffing and structure are designed to support our mission and enhance collaboration across programs.
Streamlined Operations
We’re always refining our processes to ensure our administrative systems are efficient, effective, and aligned with our program goals.
Director
Amber Canto
Amber Canto is the Director for the Extension Institute for Health & Well-Being. In her role, she provides administrative and programmatic leadership for community-based health promotion programs across multiple issue areas including healthy eating, active living and behavioral health throughout the lifespan
About UW-Madison Extension
Our Story: A Legacy of Service
At Extension, our mission is simple: connect the people of Wisconsin with the University of Wisconsin. We’re here to teach, learn, lead, and serve—transforming lives and communities along the way. The Health and Well-Being Institute is part of this effort, one of six Extension institutes that help more than 200,000 people across the state.
Rooted in the Wisconsin Idea, we believe the university’s knowledge should benefit everyone, not just those on campus. Since 1913, Extension has been bringing the university’s expertise to every corner of Wisconsin, staying true to this tradition of service.
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