Our Community Broadcasting Network (OCBN)
As Vice Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Council at the Aurora Chamber of Commerce (2018-present), I became aware of the various Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) issues impacting our multicultural community. Aurora Colorado is rated as the 3rd most diverse city in the country. Having a background in Public Affairs Broadcasting, I decided to use that experience to create Our Community Broadcasting Network (OCBN) to feature companies, educational institutions, non-profits, and government agencies, that utilize best practices in implementing and maintaining DE&I programs and initiatives. Programming has expanded to include Health & Wellness issues important to the community-at-large. These programs offer information on maintaining a healthy lifestyle (with an emphasis on mental health) that promote health equity, provide health resources, and share information about the best ways to access our complex healthcare system. I am self-funding OCBN to maintain autonomy and encourage cross promotion of all contributors. Visit the OCBN Programs page to access the interviews and presentations. For a listing of all the organizations that contribute to the programming and support the Our Community Broadcasting Network initiative, visit the Partners page, and thank you for your interest in OCBN.
Best regards,
OCBN Announcements
A collaboration has been finalized between the University of Colorado Ludeman Family Center for Women’s Health Research and OCBN to produce a series on women's health issues. The Ludeman Center is regarded as one of the best places to conduct research that includes women and considers the distinct but linked concepts of sex (biological) and gender (social) differences. The initial program is an overview of the organization by Dr Judy Regensteiner, the Ludeman Center's Co-Founder and Director (linked here). Future programs will feature some of the nearly 90 researchers presenting in the three major areas of Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Metabolism, and Mental Health and the links between mental and physical health affected by these conditions.
For more information about the collaboration visit the Newsroom page. For more about the work being done at the CU Ludeman Family Center, visit their website at https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/center-for-womens-health-research.
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The Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation has welcomed me as a charter member of the newly created Annual Content Advisory Committee. On July 22, 2022 we met for the first time to start planning the 2023 programming using this new collaborative approach. I am contributing to the Leadership Foundation programming in the areas of Health & Wellness, Housing, and Basic Needs as Group 1. Other programming areas are; Group 2 Economic Development, Small Business, and Policy - Group 3 Education, Inclusivity, Arts, and Criminal Justice - Group 4 Environment, Water, Energy, Transportation and Infrastructure - Group 5 Leadership Development, Civic DNA Framework.
For more information about the Annual Content Advisory Committee, see the press release posted on the Newsroom page. To learn more about the DMCLF programs and initiatives, visit their website at https://denverleadership.org/.
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a collaboration was announced between the University of Denver (DU) and Our Community Broadcasting Network (OCBN) to produce a nine part video series featuring the Colorado Resilience Collaborative (CRC). The CRC's mission is to identify and counter targeted violence, including identity-based violence, hate crimes, violent extremism, and domestic terrorism, and offer support to those impacted by it. CRC is housed at the DU Graduate School of Professional Psychology and funded by the Dept of Homeland Security. OCBN is self-funding the production and hosting and will make it available to everyone as a public service to help keep our community safe. A press release gives additional information about the video series and is posted on the Newsroom page. The Overview and Modules 1 and 2 are currently completed and posted on OCBN Programs Page 7. Visit https://psychology.du.edu/CRC for more information about the CRC initiative.
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I am pleased to announce my appointment to the Aurora Mental Health Center Client Advisory Council. The announcement was made by Michelle Daniels, Executive Assistant to the Chief Administrative Officer, "...On behalf of Aurora Mental Health Center, I would like to congratulate you on being chosen to participate in the Client Advisory Council. From many unidentified applicants, yours was reviewed by current members and selected based on your commitment to address and enhance behavioral health issues."
The Client Advisory Council exists to provide an effective way to receive and respond to persons with lived experience input, impact effective planning to meet persons with lived experience priorities and verbalized needs, lead the organization to an increased understanding of community-based perceptions of provided services and the organization as a whole. It will also provide a client-centered perspective in efforts to transform, improve or impact services, culture, and experiences within the organization. The Client Advisory Council is a key partner in the development of agency policies and procedures as they are related to the client and family experience. Guiding Principles: (1) Dignity and Respect for All (2) Key Information Sharing Environment (3) Support of Participation (4) Commitment to Key Collaboration and (5) Person First Language.
For more information about the programs, services, and initiatives offered by the Aurora Mental Health Center, visit their website at https://www.aumhc.org/.
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