Our Community Broadcasting Network (OCBN)

Welcome to Our Community Broadcasting Network. Having been involved in public affairs broadcasting and community activism in the greater Denver area since 1999, I became aware of the many issues impacting the families that make up the metro Denver community. In 2019, I decided to use my broadcasting experience to create OCBN, an online broadcasting network, to present issues important to these various, diverse communities. Past programs covered important topics such as healthy lifestyle living, DEI (diversity, equity & inclusion), brain health, education, family caregiving, and more. These programs can be viewed on the Archived Programs page.

With mental health and substance use disorders having a major impact on communities throughout Colorado, I have turned my focus to getting information to the public featuring innovative practices in delivering services and patient/family support programs that help mitigate mental health and substance use disorders and improve behavioral health (BH) outcomes. As defined by the American Medical Association (AMA), "Behavioral health generally refers to mental health and substance use disorders, life stressors and crises, and stress-related physical symptoms. Behavioral healthcare refers to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of those conditions.”

Through collaborations with key behavioral health experts and community stakeholders, I have created a podcast series titled Behavioral Health Best Practices that highlight mental health/substance abuse treatment providers, mental health/substance abuse prevention and support groups, behavioral health community advocates, and behavioral health government agencies that are utilizing best practices in creating and maintaining behavioral health programs and initiatives that support the community. OCBN invites any behavioral health professionals and advocates to join the initiative to contribute content as guest presenters and/or to offer resource information.

Stay tuned for upcoming podcasts that feature information on upcoming state mental health legislation with Colorado Senator, Dafna Michaelson-Jenet about improving children's mental health access to services, Colorado House Representative, Michael Carter to discuss judicial reform to promote treatment for non-violent offenders with mental health issues instead of incarceration, and the Colorado Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health will be back with a special presentation explaining how a System of Care works for children needing mental health treatment.

I am pleased to announce a partnership has been established with the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration. OCBN's Behavioral Health Best Practices series is producing podcasts with interviews of departmental experts discussing the functions and policy positions of the BHA. The partnership will promote the programs through our respective networks to the public-at-large as behavioral health informational and educational resources for their communities.

The Behavioral Health Best Practices YouTube podcast channel has been created. To subscribe to the channel and get notifications whenever a new podcast is posted, click on the YouTube logo below and the link will take you to the channel.

For more information about the Behavioral Health Best Practices initiative, please fill out the Contact Form and I will contact you to answer your questions and to discuss any involvement in the initiative you may be interested in. I am currently working with a number of behavioral health experts to continually add to the series. I hope you find these interviews interesting and informative and thank you for your interest in the Behavioral Health Best Practices initiative!

Best regards,

Below is the current Behavioral Health Best Practices podcast. For past BHBP programs go to the BHBP Podcasts tab

The Colorado Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health is a family focused advocacy group to offer support for those dealing with a child’s mental health issues. They offer a vast array of resources as well as educational materials and emotional support. They have a broad network of collaborators to include other mental health advocacy organizations, local and state agencies, and providers. For more information about the organization visit www.cofederation.org.

Our Community Broadcasting Network Supporters

Click on the logos to learn more about each organization.