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 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) issues impacting the lives of this multi-cultural community. In 2019, I decided to use my broadcasting experience to create OCBN to showcase educational institutions, companies, non-profits, healthcare providers, and government agencies, utilizing best practices in creating and maintaining DEI initiatives. Presenting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in a positive way is the goal. We cannot adequately discuss DEI issues without acknowledging the impact the absence of equity and inclusion has on the diverse community's Behavioral Health (BH). As defined by the AMA, "Behavioral Health generally refers to mental health and substance use disorders, life stressors and crises, and stress-related physical symptoms. Behavioral Health Care refers to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of those conditions.” OCBN BH programs discuss Behavioral Health issues and how to access appropriate services when needed.

Creating OCBN Programs The interviews and presentations are captured on the Zoom platform, and then I do a full edit for best use of time and content. After the editing is finalized, the program is embedded on this site and made available for embedding on the website and e-newsletter of the contributor as well as the general public. The interview and presentation formats are an effective way to showcase the DEI and/or BH work of an organization, in their own words. This online virtual approach allows for interviews and presentations anywhere in the country. I have interviews posted with people in cities such as New York, Memphis, Houston, San Francisco and Indianapolis, to name a few. I welcome collaborating with organizations throughout the country with an interest in promoting DEI best practices and BH issues and advocacy. I believe this is a positive and effective way to educate and inform the public about DEI and BH issues and examples of the many ways the issues are approached.

I am self-funding OCBN to maintain autonomy and encourage cross-promotion of all contributors. To access the interviews and presentations, visit the DEI Programs and BH Programs pages. Below the Announcements, is a listing of all the organizations that have contributed to the programming, directly or indirectly, and support the Our Community Broadcasting Network initiative. Thank you for your interest in OCBN.
Best regards,

Announcements

National Library of Medicine

I am pleased to announce that Our Community Broadcasting Network has become a member of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). The mission of the NNLM is to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public health by providing all U.S. health professionals with equal access to biomedical information and improving the public's access to information to enable them to make informed decisions about their health. The Program is coordinated by the National Library of Medicine and carried out through a nationwide network of health science libraries and information centers. For more information about the mission of the National Library of Medicine, visit the Newsroom.

Project CARE

I am a participant in the ongoing Project CARE Research Program. I qualified for the program as the primary caregiver for my wife Sue, living with Alzheimer's disease. The first phase had participants in the national study help examine the impact of emotions on social distancing among family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias during the COVID-19 Pandemic. I participated from May through August, 2022. The next phase has started and focuses on intervention by helping identify the stress factors for the individual with information on how to cope with and change the dynamics of the negative feelings. For more information about Project CARE, visit the Newsroom.

Fandom Acts of Kindness by Dr Tanya Cook & Dr Kaela Joseph

A fascinating book about fandom pop culture and a willingness to engage in activism, advocacy and to help each other, through online communities. Dr Cook approaches the fandom issues from a sociology perspective and Dr Joseph from a psychology approach. The book is a road map on how to engage in the various online pop culture communities. Our recent interview is posted on the BH Programs page.

Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council (BHPAC)

I'm pleased to announce my appointment to the Colorado Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council. The BHPAC, in accordance with federal law and as directed by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), was established to advise the State regarding the federal block grant and address key statewide policy issues related to behavioral health. The BHPAC includes people in recovery, family members, state agencies, treatment providers, advocates and other individuals who have a vested interest in Colorado's behavioral health systems. For more about BHPAC visit the Newsroom.

Colorado Resiliance Collaborative (CRC)

A collaboration was finalized between the University of Denver, Graduate School of Professional Psychology and Our Community Broadcasting Network to produce a video series featuring the Colorado Resilience Collaborative to recognize and counter identity violence by redicalized people. For more information about the video series, visit the Newsroom.

Aurora Mental Health & Recovery, Client Advisory Council (CAC)

I'm pleased to announce my appointment to Aurora Mental Health & Recovery (formally Aurora Mental Health Center) Client Advisory Council. For more information about the CAC, visit the Newsroom page.

OCBN Partners

Click on the logos to learn more about each organization.