LEO Program - Wood County

LEO is a state-approved program available to youth ages 12-20 in Wood County, WI. LEO empowers youth to understand their brains and develop resilience.

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

We have completed our 2025 LEO Year in Review! Can you believe we served 1397 youth?! A big thank you to all of our school partners!

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

Today, our students at Lincoln High School created gratitude boxes to help strengthen their higher brains! These boxes are a great reminder to slow down and practice seeing the positive things in our lives. LEO alumni - do you know where you're gratitude boxes are?!

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

Your mental health matters. Don't be afraid to unplug.

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

Make today count and be the best version of YOU. Have a beautiful day, LEO friends!

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

Winter is the perfect time for hot cocoa. And it's the perfect time to practice some mindfulness and breathing to activate our higher brain. Next time you feel overwhelmed and your lower brain is active, try out some hot cocoa breathing! And then go get a real cup of cocoa! YUM!

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

The brain often focuses on things outside your control (like uncertainty) because it's a survival instinct to find threats, leading to worry, stress, and rumination (getting stuck in thought loops). Focusing on what we CAN control rewires our brain for more higher brain activity!

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

Here's your Monday reminder: You are worthy.
Self-worth is the internal, unconditional belief in your own value as a human being, independent of achievements, successes, or external validation, meaning you are worthy of love and respect just by existing.

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

Today is National Use Your Gift Card Day! Have you heard of retail therapy (shopping) making you happier? Well, it actually does. An occasional shopping spree can distract you from stressors and pump your brain full of dopamine! So, let's go shopping with those gift cards!

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

January is Mental Wellness Month, a time to focus on brain health after the holidays by setting realistic goals and building sustainable habits for the year ahead, emphasizing that strong mental health benefits overall brain function and physical health. #BrainHealth #LEO

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

This week was #WearBlueDay in support of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January. Awareness saves lives. Even small gestures like wearing blue helps spread the awareness needed to fight against human trafficking!

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

CW Solutions and LEO offices will be closed on December 24th and 25th in observation of the holiday. We will be back in office on December 26th! Have a safe and joyous holiday!

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

Ever wondered why your lower brain activates? We have a tool for that! Our O.U.C.H. tool helps us understand the why behind our lower brain activation. It stands for:

😡 Offended
🤨 Uncertain
😒 Conflict in Connection
😵‍💫 Had Enough

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

Going outside and getting some sun and fresh air is a great way to activate your higher brain and release healthy dopamine. If the cold isn't your thing, try cozying up and engaging with your favorite hobby! Have a great snow day everyone!

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

Noticing your lower brain getting more and more active during this stressful season? Use your STOP tool!
🛑 Stop
😮‍💨 Take a breath
🔍 Observe
👍 Plan and proceed

STOP can help to calm down the lower brain and activate the higher brain, so we can make better choices for ourselves!

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

Happy Halloween from the LEO Program! Remember to use your higher brain to help you stay safe and make good decisions tonight!

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

Today is National Youth Confidence Day! Do you remember the difference between self-esteem and self-worth?

Self-esteem comes from external comparison, while self-worth comes from the knowledge that we all have value! Focus on building your self-worth to boost your confidence.

[WIDeptHealthServices @DHSWI]

Get ready! #DrugTakeBackDay is coming soon. Cleaning out your medicine cabinet takes just a few minutes and collection sites around the state make it easy to safely dispose of those unused and expired medications: https://t.co/iGxtLZ9H5y #DoseOfRealityWI #DrugTakeBackWI

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

Our brains continue to grow and change throughout our whole lives. This is why it is so important to continue to engage your brain in mental exercise every single day. Here are some fun ideas to get you started:

🧩 Puzzles and brain teasers
📖 Read a book
🌎 Learn a language

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

Bullying often comes from our self-esteem and our lower brain making judgements to feel accepted in our social environment. If you think that something doesn't feel right, it might be your higher brain trying to tell you something!

[LEO Program - Wood County @LEOProgramWC]

Celebrate World Smile Day by giving someone a nice smile today! Smiling releases dopamine, helping us feel safe and rewarded, and activates the higher brain. Plus, smiling helps us maintain a positive mindset, making it easier to handle our stress by cooling down our lower brain.