Category Archives: Intentional Communities

June 17, 2022

Video available at: https://youtu.be/6IpEO0-HPEk

New Funding Included for Anti-Discrimination Legal Services; Family Acceptance Programs for LGBTQ+ Youth; Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, and Non-Binary (TGNC/NB)-led Nonprofits; and Social Services Towards LGBTQ+ Youth HomelessnessInvestments Developed as Result of Mayoral Roundtables Led by Transgender People of Color and LGBTQ+ Community

NEW YORK New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the Mayors Office of Equitys Unity Project, and the New York City Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD) today announced an investment of nearly $6.7 million to provide new and expanded services for the LGBTQ+ community. These new services provide wide-ranging support that include first-of-its-kind funding for capacity building of transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC)/non-binary (NB)-led nonprofits, legal services, and support for homeless youth.

The investments demonstrate the interagency coordination between the Office of Equitys Unity Project, DYCD, the New York City Department of Consumer and Workforce Protection (DCWP), the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS), and the Mayors Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) to address gaps and expand services for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. With these new investments, New York City honors and strengthens its legacy as the home of Stonewall and the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

These new investments that we are unveiling today, which weve been working to develop for months with community stakeholders, sends a clear message to our LGBTQ+ family that New York City hears you, sees you, and embraces you, said Mayor Adams. As the home of Stonewall and the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, New York City has an obligation to continue to lead the way, and we are doing just that with robust community investments and new programming. Pride is more than a celebration, it is a call to action. We are proud to invest nearly $6.7 million to support our LGBTQ+ youth, to put real dollars into transgender, gender nonconforming, and non-binary focused nonprofits, and to take a critical step forward to creating a more equitable New York City. Thanks to everyone who participated in our LGBTQ+ and transgender people of color roundtables, helping to inform the substance of this important initiative. Led by our Office of Equity and leadership across our administration, City Hall will continue to champion and support New Yorkers of every identity.

Pride is a time for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers to celebrate who they are, their hard-won victories, and their extraordinary resilience and brilliance. During Pride and every other month, New York City remains committed to ensuring LGBTQ+ New Yorkers are safe, healthy, and supported while fulfilling its historic legacy. The $6.7 million package announced today was developed partly after conversations between Mayor Adams and the administration-led roundtables at City Hall alongside LGBTQ+ and transgender people of color.

Todays announcement demonstrates how we continue to center equity across city government, saidDeputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. These new and expanded programs led and supported across seven city agencies and offices will invest in organizations that understand theimportance ofcommunity while supporting and empowering LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.

Todays investment in expanded services for our LGBTQ+ community means creating spaces where people are more seen, understood and served, said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. Investments like these, permeated with equity and inclusion, mean an improved quality of life -- for everyone.

The Office of Equity is proud to partner with our city agencies to develop and fund solutions that directly tackle disparities we know are impacting our LGBTQ+ community, saidMayors Office of Equity Commissioner Sideya Sherman. Our work doesnt stop here. Through the NYC Unity Project, we will continue to build and strengthen our citys work to support and serve this community and ensure we are advancing equity across city programs and policies.

Protecting and promoting the physical and mental health of New York City means building a healthcare system and ensuring health and social services are tailored to the needs of individuals and communities with unique needs, said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. These investments will promote a system of care and supports for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers that guarantees dignity, respect, sensitivity, and high quality of care, in ways that for too long have not been protected.

To experience homelessness, especially as a LGBTQ+ youth, compounds numerous stressors that can be challenging to overcome, said DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. By arming these youth with tools to improve their financial stability, they will be more empowered in all aspects of their lives and be more prepared to avoid homelessness in the future.

This unprecedented investment in LGBTQ+ New Yorkers is particularly impactful on the lives of youth and young adults who face a significant number of obstacles in findingemploymentand a safe, welcoming environment to stay, saidincoming DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard. DYCD is proud to team up with oursister agenciesand community partners to connect young people to critical support servicesdrop-in centers, financial literacy, and employment opportunitiesand to provide capacity building support to organizations that serve the transgender, gender non-confirming, and non-binary communities.

This investment represents a commitment to a safer and fair city for all New Yorkers through an expansion of services for our LGBTQ+ community, said Deanna Logan, director, Mayors Office of Criminal Justice. Todays announcement is the continued realization of Mayor Adams promise to support New York Citys vulnerable communities, especially those impacted by hate and discrimination.

It is critical that we support our homeless and most vulnerable LGBTQ+ neighbors thats why the Department of Social Services is proud to support Mayor Adams historic investment inLGBTQ+ services and supports," saidDSS Commissioner Gary P. Jenkins. In the midst of these ongoing attacks across the country against the LGBTQ+ community, the $6.7 million investment says loudly and proudly that New York City will once again lead the nation in efforts to serve and protect LGBTQ+ individuals and that New York, the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ movement, will remain a beacon for freedom and equality."

New York City would not be the place it is without its vibrant, diverse LGBTQ+ community, said Ronald Porcelli, senior policy advisor, NYC Unity Project. As the home of Stonewall, New York City continues to lead the nation in LGBTQ+ rights and policy. These investments ensure the NYC Unity Project can expand its innovative, interagency programs to support and empower the NYC LGBTQ+ community.

The Peer Navigation and Financial Literacy Programs for Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) were prioritized as necessary interventions by young people through our recent Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program planning efforts, said Cole Giannone, senior advisor for youth homelessness to Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. These new programs will both provide employment to young people who experienced homelessness help their peers navigate their experiences and provide historic infrastructure within our eight RHY drop-in centers. Investments to address youth homelessness inherently support LGBTQ+ youth given their overrepresentation in the population and we are very excited to launch these initiatives in partnership with the community.

Funding will support:

Culturally Competent Civil-Legal Services for LGBTQ+ Community ($1 million)

Family Acceptance of LGBTQ+ Youth ($1.5 million)

Peer Navigators and Financial Literacy for Runaway and Homeless Youth ($3 million)

TGNC/NB-Led Non-Profit Capacity Building Innovation Grants ($183,500)

Faith-Based Healing Initiative for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers Who Have Experienced Religious Hate ($350,000)

HIV and Sexual Health Services and Programming ($400,000)

LGBTQ+ Health Care Bill of Rights and DOHMH Transgender Health Booklets (150K)

We at Destination Tomorrow are excited about the mayor's over $6 million investment in the LGBTQ community, said Sean Ebony Coleman, founder and executive director, Destination Tomorrow. This commitment, which focuses on the most vulnerable, is an important first step towards equity. We are also delighted that the mayor chose our Bronx center as the location for his announcement as this highlights the fact that many LGBTQ folks live, work and thrive here in the outer boroughs, and that we are in need of support and resources too.

The mayor is continuing to champion the rights of LGBTQI+ in New York City and accelerating the march towards full equality, said Rev. Dr. Vanessa M. Brown, Rivers of Living Water Ministries. It is important that we in the faith community take seriously the healing of inherited traumas from our religious traditions and our families. We must make every effort to support our LGBTQI+ youth and families.

We are thrilled to see the mayor's office make this very targeted and intentional investment in our community, said Elisa Crespo, executive director, The NEW Pride Agenda. This is the result of advocates expressing their concerns and government hearing the calls and taking action. This new funding will support organizations who serve the LGBTQ community, particularly trans-led organizations who have bore the brunt of inequitable funding for far too long. We look forward to working together with the mayor's team to continue advancing our communities priorities.

"I'm extremely happy to see over $6 million in new funding has been allocated by Mayor Adams for programs that will benefit our LGBTQ community, said Carmen Neely, president, Harlem SGL-LGBTQ Center. This clearly shows the mayor has our community in his heart, that he cares and is invested in our well-being, which is right in line with his long record of helping our LGBTQ community.

Stonewall CDC applauds the adoption of the new budget and the mayors investment in our community. We look forward to working together to address the critical issues impacting New York Citys LGBTQ+ older adults, said Sayief Leshaw, program director, Stonewall Community Development Corporation.

Equity must be transformational and radical, it must prioritize those communities historically erased and stigmatized for it to have true impact, said Kiara St. James, co-founder and executive director, New York Transgender Advocacy Group.

Which is what Mayor Eric Adams culturally-competent civil-legal services is intentional in addressing through a wholistic and nuanced lens. It is a new day! A new era! In NYC!

Callen-Lorde is heartened to see that Mayor Adams is responding to the needs of New York Citys LGBTQ communities by committing $6 million to various legal, social service and health programs, said Jonathan Santos-Ramos, senior director of organizational planning and sustainability, Callen-Lorde. While there are many more needs to be met, we are especially optimistic that these investments will be focused in our BIPOC communities and will serve TGNB New Yorkers, runaway and homeless youth and others who historically have been marginalized. Callen-Lorde is a community health center, but we know that holistic health and well-being rely as much upon full access to competent and quality health care as it does on a government and society that values, supports and protects those so often underserved. We applaud the mayor for making these initial investments.

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Mayor Adams Announces Nearly $6.7 Million Investment in new and Expanded Services for LGBTQ+ New Yor - nyc.gov

We designed our new membership program to streamline this practice development lift, and to do so in a way that is both affordable and right-sized for each practice that participates.

ATLANTA (PRWEB) June 20, 2022

Woodard CEO Joe Woodard announced a new membership structure during his keynote presentation at the 2022 Scaling New Heights conference in Orlando, FL. The new Woodard Membership program combines the best of Woodards education, community, and coaching offerings within a single, easily managed program.

Accountants and bookkeepers who are program members will receive unlimited access to best-in class practice advancement courses and client advisory courses and will engage with practice coaches, experience in-depth training events, and enjoy a wide range of virtual resources designed for highly intentional, innovative, forward-looking practices. Members will be able to develop the skills, processes, technology, and strategies to generate capacity, price to value, and build the practices they want.

The Woodard Membership program offers accountants and bookkeepers the choice between three levels of benefits:

See the full breakdown of the three levels at Woodard.com/membership.

Most bookkeepers and accountants struggle with capacity issues, making it difficult for them to execute on practice strategies in the areas of technology adoption, pricing methodologies, process documentation, and team building, says Joe Woodard, CEO of Woodard. We designed our new membership program to streamline this practice development lift, and to do so in a way that is both affordable and right-sized for each practice that participates.

About Woodard Woodard provides education, coaching, resources, and professional communities to accountants and bookkeepers, and Woodard produces programs like the annual Scaling New Heights conference, the Woodard Membership Program, Woodard Summit, the Woodard Podcast, and Tech Makeover. Learn more at Woodard.com

About the Annual Scaling New Heights Conference Scaling New Heights launched in 2009 and has grown over the years into one of the worlds largest and highest-rated accounting technology conferences and expositions. The training at Scaling New Heights equips bookkeepers, accountants, tax preparers, CPAs, and other small business advisors with the essential tools needed to generate extreme efficiencies through automation, standardization, and production strategies that maximize team performance. The 2023 conference will take place June 25-28, 2023, at a location to be announced on June 22.Learn more at ScalingNewHeights.com

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Woodard announces its new Woodard Membership program for accountants and bookkeepers with unlimited access to practice advancement and client advisory...

Daniel Rossi-Keen| Special to The Times

You spent 14% less time on your phone this week.

As many readers may know, the iPhone generates weekly messages that are automatically delivered to its users. Intent on providing a quick snapshot into phone usage, these messages appear unsolicited and without much context.

Generally, these messages are not something to which I give much attention. But, this week, the seemingly simple statement hit me like a ton of bricks.

I am well aware that I spend too much mindless time on my phone. Recognizing this, over the past six or eight months I have disciplined myself to replace screen time with books. During that time, I have taken a particular liking to books about our current technological and entertainment culture. More than just refraining from wasting time, I have been seeking to understand the lure of mindless technology, the architecture of social networks, and the psychological impacts of the overuse of such media. During this time, I have also undertaken technology fasts, have removed various apps from my phone, and have made a commitment to engage in other forms of activity and entertainment.

To my mind, I had been doing relatively well ensuring that the mindless use of technology was not eating up my life. And then I got this simple message.

You spent 14% less time on your phone this week.

At first glance, this message might seem like it should have been encouraging to me. But in this case, this message had the exact opposite effect.

The reason this message was so striking to me was that I immediately knew EXACTLY why that number had dropped so dramatically. The reason was because my son and I had gone fishing three times in the preceding week, accounting for roughly 15 hours of shared leisure. So, when I read that message, which is usually void of context and generally vague, I was quickly able to translate the words into their real meaning.

You traded 15 hours mindlessly staring at your phone for quality time spent in nature with your son last week.

This. This was the real message behind the distant and declarative words that appeared unsolicited on my screen. And it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Coming so close on the heels of time spent with my son, I knew precisely the value of the time we had spent together. During our trips, my 7-year-old son was able to learn how to navigate a kayak. He spent an evening with my brother, whom he sees only a few times a year. He helped to steer a boat at 35 mph across the open lake. He missed five fish and learned about the habits of living creatures. He experienced nature, a sunrise, and death. He spilled his kayak and got back up and started over again. All of this and more was what I had traded for 14% less time spent on my phone. It was time that would have meant nothing in retrospect, that would have imperceptibly robbed me of something so much more beautiful and important.

I am unsure what those who come after us will have to say about our little sliver of history. But I am certain that historians will come to explain how something dramatic and unfortunate took place within the span of our lives. I am convinced that the essence of community itself is being challenged through the mindless choices we make about how to spend our days, our evenings, and our weekends. One percentage point at a time. Ten minutes here, an hour there. One new app, another set of influencers to follow.

As my friend Howard says often, please dont hear what Im not saying. I am not against technology. I am not unaware of the value of our connectedness. I leverage tools each and every day that undoubtedly help to bring humanity together, that do the hard work of building community. But, at each and every step along the way, I am tempted, and I fall prey to easy and mindless activities, that rob me of precious time and resources spent in relationships with others. And, for this week, at least, I found myself reflecting on what that means for the kinds of communities we are creating together. It got me wondering afresh what the opportunity cost is of having a phone at my disposal each and every moment of my life. It got me wondering what I am failing to see, understand, and accomplish with others as I mindlessly inhabit the illusion of community in virtual space.

Management guru Peter Drucker once famously said that Culture eats strategy for breakfast. This week, that was again made crystal clear to me. Despite my resolute strategies, the culture of technology so often continues to have its way with me. Though I managed to claw my way out for 15 hours last week, this week is here, and next week will soon be upon us.

Another alert will soon be generated.

For my part, I am going to work to see if I cant be more intentional, more resolute, and more focused on creating culture around technology than committing to short-lived strategies to keep me from using it so much.

Perhaps youll consider joining me in this.

Undoubtedly, our communities will be better for it.

Daniel Rossi-Keen, Ph.D., is the co-owner of eQuip Books, a community bookstore in Aliquippa and the executive director of RiverWise, a nonprofit employing sustainable development practices to create a regional identity around the rivers of Beaver County. You can reach Daniel at daniel@getriverwise.com.

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Community Matters: Less technology leads to healthier communities - The Times

Today, Governor Kim Reynolds announced $100 million in school safety funding to support Iowas 327 public school districts and 183 non-public and independent schoolsduring a press conference with the Department of Public Safety,Department of Education and Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Thisdedicated new funding will provide vulnerability risk assessments free of chargefor all1,500K-12 school buildings in the state and create a School Safety Improvement Fund makingup to $50,000 available per school building to implement recommended safety measures. School districts can combine these funds with their ESSER funding allocations to cover additional costs to implement safety improvements.

Every family should be able to confidently send their children to school knowing theyll be safe, said Gov. Reynolds. These investments will make a tremendous impact on our ability to prevent violence in schools while also taking steps to ensure schools and communities are in the best position possible to respond to an active event.

The funding alsobuilds upon the foundation of the Governors School Safety Bureauto support all schoolsand law enforcement partners with prevention, training and response strategies.A portion of the funding will be utilized to implement technology and tools including proactive social media scanning software, an anonymous reporting tool, digital critical incident mapping and specialized training.

The Governor's School Safety Bureau will provide Iowa with an intentional focus on providing assistance and tools to identify, report, and assess school-based threats, while still embracing local control, said Iowa Department of Public SafetyCommissioner Stephan Bayens. It will facilitate training so that teachers, administrators, and first responders are equipped and empowered to keep our kids safe. The Bureau will work shoulder to shoulder with all involved for the common good of providing a safe place for our children to learn and grow.

Mass shootings and other violent acts committed against innocent people are difficult to understand, said Gov. ReynoldsBut work must be done to answer the question why they happenand what can be done to prevent this type of behavior.

Prioritizing mental health services across Iowa has been a top priority for Governor Reynolds since taking office and has received strong bipartisan support. When Iowas FY23 budget goes into effect on July 1, 2022, total mental health-related funding will increase by nearly $3.5 million dollars.

We must be persistent in our efforts to keep students and those who care for them safe from violence, said Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo. Our schools provide a reassuring presence and much needed connection for our families, our communities and for our students to learn and grow. With this additional funding we can build on our strong foundation and help ensure our schools continue to be physically, emotionally and academically safe places of learning.

The Governors School Safety Bureau will immediately begin its work with a goal of being fully operational by the start of school this fall.

Breakdown of funds:

$75M School Safety Improvement Fund

$7.5M Vulnerability assessmentsforall 1,500 K-12 school buildings

$6M Digital critical incident mapping technology

$4.5M -- Radios for schools

$1.5M -- Digital applications and software for reporting and intelligence

$5.5M -- School Safety Bureau operations funding through 2026

Initial funding for is being made availablethrough the use ofARPA and ESSER funds.

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Gov. Reynolds announces $100M investment in school safety | Office of the Governor of Iowa - Governor Kim Reynolds

On this year's ballot are members from both branches of the Michigan Legislature (the state House of Representatives and Senate). If you are unsure which legislative districtyou vote in, visit the Michigan Voter Information Centerto find more information including your sample ballot customized to your home address.

Whether you choose to vote absentee or in person, get to knowthe candidatesbefore you vote by reading their responses tokey issues facing Michiganders.

Here are candidates in their own words:

Logan Byrne(Democrat):I grew up on a small family farm in Attica, Michigan and relocated to the greater Lansing area when attending Michigan State University College of Law. I currently live in Dewitt.I am a board member on the Clinton Countys Zoning Board of Appeals andthe Ingham County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section board.I am an attorney with experience in Labor, Employment, and Construction Law. I also have extensive experience in Immigration and Criminal Law and have worked with various nonprofits in Michigan and California.I currently work full-time for the Ingham County Circuit Court for the Hon. Rosemarie Aquilina. Additionally, I work part-time for the Genesee County Circuit Court for the Hon. Elizabeth Kelly, where I focus primarily on the Felony Criminal Flint Water cases.I am licensed to practice law in both Michigan and California. I am an appointee to theClinton County Zoning Board of Appeals and active in the local Democratic party and Democratic organizations. Note:I have signed the Michigan League of Conservation Voters pledge to support a transition to clean and renewable energy.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford(Democrat):Over the years, Ive had many different titles in this community student, athlete, coach, volunteer, mentor, and small business owner, to name a few. My dream is to see Michigan continue to grow and thrive! One of the things I enjoy most is listening and learning from other people. My passion for listening to people means members of my district will be heard on various issues that matter to them, and it will allow me to be a better advocate.I grew up in Lansing, went to Grand Ledge schools, and, after living all over the country, my wife and I have settled where were from because we genuinely care about the people here.I believe mid-Michigan holds the key to job opportunities, a bright future for our children, and expanded affordable housing options in our state. To make that happen, we will need strong, compassionate leaders who have experience serving our community. I amCo-Chair of Grand Ledge United;Vice-Chair Young Eaton County Democrats;member of the Michigan Black Leadership Advisory Council Health Committee;Vice-Chair of the Eaton County Parks and Recreation Commission; a Michigan Political Leadership Program Fellow; a Great Lakes Political Academy Fellow; and Rotary Club of Lansing Member. Note:Ive taken the Operating Engineers 324 pledge, the #voteprochoice pledge, and the Michigan 100% Clean Energy/Climate Pledge.

John Magoola (Republican): No response.

Logan Byrne(Democrat):Michigan should continue its efforts in criminal justice reform to help address systemic racism. As an attorney, I have witnessed the inequitable application of the criminal justice system on minority communities. As a state representative, I will support modifications to Michigans jail credit laws, so that all individuals are entitled to credit for the time they served in jail or prison. Likewise, I support law enforcement training programs, which educate officers on the constitutional rights of immigrants to avoid civil rights violations and expensive civil rights lawsuits.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford (Democrat):Ignorance and extremism are costing innocent people their lives. Perpetuating dangerous lies about the threat people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and history pose to the racial hierarchy in the forms of Replacement Theory, the misunderstanding of CRT, COVID conspiracies, and the Gay Agenda conspiracy is moving America backward.I believe in racial justice for all and that the injustice of systemic racism needs to be addressed through, but not limited to: comprehensive criminal justice reform, fundamentally re-imagining police departments and their roles in BIPOC communities, and investment in BIPOC communities.

John Magoola(Republican): No response.

Logan Byrne(Democrat):(Grade B+) While COVID-19 was unprecedented, Michigan led the nation in taking necessary steps to slow the spread of the pandemic. Retrospectively, Michigan should have taken additional steps to support local businesses and to protect our most vulnerable populations, including long-term care facility populations and nursing home populations.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford (Democrat):I was happy that the state moved to shut down non-essential business in the beginning of the pandemic to help save lives and reduce congestion of our hospital systems statewide.However, I think a lack of assistance/funding from the state after limiting businesses led to the closure of many businesses that would have survived had they not been forced to close/limit their offerings.Now, federal dollars need to be spent to support the industries which were hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, including small businesses, healthcare, and education.

John Magoola(Republican): No response.

Logan Byrne(Democrat):Michigan should foster an environment that encourages the creation of new businesses, while offering incentives for well-established businesses to relocate to the state. Similarly. encouraging production of locally made products will not only strengthen our regional economy but will reinforce our states local supply chain. Additionally, regional economic development will create high paying jobs to help fight against the rising cost of groceries and other household expenses.Likewise, agriculture, starting with the family farm, has always been the bedrock of Michigan's economy. I support a comprehensive economic plan designed to protect and nurture the already robust agricultural sector in Michigan.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford (Democrat):The State can find ways to better educate existing business owners and people that would like to be business owners on best practices to keep their businesses open and doing well. Ive talked with a lot of people on the doors that had businesses but missed out on opportunities to benefit from COVID relief funding because of lack of knowledge when it came to properly filing for funding or because they were unaware of available programs that would have helped.

John Magoola(Republican): No response.

Logan Byrne(Democrat):Michigan has safe and secure elections, which has been verified through various audits. I accept the results of the 2020 election.Voting is the bedrock of our democracy and should be cherished and protected. Through voting, we assert our beliefs and chart the states political course. As such, I oppose legislation designed to infringe on this basic right and instead support measures designed to ensure that every vote counts and that all eligible voters are able to make their voices heard. I oppose any bills that are designed to make it more difficult for citizens to vote.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford (Democrat):I accept the results of the 2020 election. I am proud of the Secretary of State and all of our local Clerks for administering one of the largest and most secure elections in November 2022. Our elections are free and fair and they will stay that way if we continue making it easy for voters to vote.Thats why I support expanding equitable access to the ballot through early voting, absentee ballot pre-processing, and full funding of our election administration at all levels.

John Magoola(Republican): No response.

Logan Byrne(Democrat):Decisions about whether to choose abortion, adoption, or to raise a child must be left to an individual and their family with the counsel of a doctor or health care provider not to politicians or governmental agencies. As such, I support the right of a woman to make reproductive medical decisions about her own body. Let me be clear I will always stand with women across the nation in their right to choose, regardless of the circumstances.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford (Democrat):This is a pivotal moment for reproductive rights. With the uncertainty of the future of reproductive freedom on the line, its more important now than ever before that we elect leaders who will defend a womans right to choose.Our campaign is proudly pro-choice. People of color experience significantly worse health outcomes than their white peers when it comes to maternal and infant mortality, unintended pregnancy, and HIV infection rates as a result of a system that has not adequately prioritized their health care needs.

John Magoola(Republican): No response.

Logan Byrne(Democrat):I support the inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals in the protections given by the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and Michigan's Ethnic Intimidation Act. LGBTQ+ individuals should not face discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, or in any other aspect of life. As such, I also support amending Article I, Section 2 of the Michigan Constitution to add equal protection for individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford (Democrat):We need to expand the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes. Expanding Elliot-Larsen would also prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ citizens in employment, housing, access to public accommodations, and more.Every Michigander deserves equal protection under the law, these protections are long overdue in our state and I will continue to be an advocate for the LGBTQ community by supporting these expansions.

John Magoola(Republican): No response.

Logan Byrne(Democrat):While politicians played the numbers game, the needs of rural Americans have been neglected. These needs have not been lost on me. Farmers and rural businesses deserve representation and an advocate willing to fight for them in the Michigan House of Representatives. I support farmers and will advocate forcefully for policies that benefit rural Michigan. For example, I support an intentional allocation of state budget resources to rebuild Michigans crumbling infrastructure, which will benefit Michiganders throughout the entire state.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford (Democrat):Urban Farming. This fast-growing phenomenon has the potential to nourish the health and social fabric of communities and create economic opportunities for rural communities and farming families that could sustain through future generations.Funding and urban contaminants are two large issues that stop urban agriculture programs from coming to fruition. The cost that comes with starting up a farm or garden is expensive. Many urban farmers also are tasked with the cost of having to rehabilitate the soil to get rid of contaminants and could use the States help to kickstart more investment in this growing opportunity.

John Magoola(Republican): No response.

This story was assembled from email questionnairesmanagedby LSJ news assistants Jayne Higo and Veronica Bolanos. Contact them at LSJ-EAs@lsj.com or 517.377.1112.

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Election 2022: Candidates for Michigan Representative District 77 in their own words - Lansing State Journal

By Maria Lopez-Nunez, Michellene Davis and Jaye Wilson

For generations, families of color across the country have endured racial inequities that severely impact their health. This unacceptable reality is most evident in the Black maternal mortality rate in the United States, which is a staggering four times higher than that of white women, and in New Jersey alone, it is seven times higher making Black women more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth than women in any other racial demographic.

Although Black maternal and child health continues to make headlines, there are two contributing factors that are not getting enough focus: climate change and environmental injustice. Pregnant women who are exposed to high temperatures or air pollution are more likely to have children who are premature, underweight or stillborn.

That is why when we discuss health equity in this country, specifically Black maternal health, it is imperative that we recognize the implications of environmental injustice and climate change. Air pollution and extreme heat are killing inner-city residents at a higher rate than almost all other causes according to a 2020 peer-reviewed study published in the journal, Climate.

This is a serious public health emergency.

A new report also found that communities of color and those living below the poverty line experience disproportionately hotter temperatures compared to white or wealthy people in U.S. cities. These communities experience hotter temperatures on average because they have more concrete and asphalt and fewer green spaces and tree coverage.

Lets be very clear about one thing. This is not by mistake, but rather by design.

The nearly century-old, discriminatory housing practice of redlining has left many Black and brown neighborhoods exposed to deadly, hotter temperatures than the areas that were not subjected to redlining. The 2020 study published in Climate also found an indisputable link between higher heat and redlined neighborhoods, where lower-income families and communities of color still live today.

Unfortunately, the worst is yet to come.

With climate change expected to bring higher temperatures and more frequent heat waves, those same historically redlined neighborhoods will be left to endure increasingly dangerous and deadly health consequences.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also found that Black, Latino/a, Asian, and other people of color are disproportionately exposed to air pollutants, urban emissions, and toxic industries that affect mental well-being and have serious public health implications. This is not surprising given that multiple studies have concluded that race is the single biggest predictor of whether an individual lives near a hazardous waste facility.

In fact, a 2016 environmental justice study by researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of Montana found that industries specifically target Black, brown, and low-income communities for placement of hazardous waste facilities.

This is blatant and intentional discrimination.

As women working on the frontlines of health equity, our goal is to raise awareness and deliver solutions that create systemic change.

At National Medical Fellowships, we support underrepresented Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) students in medicine and other health professions as well as advance diversity in clinical trials in order to achieve equity and access to quality health care for all.

Melinated Moms aims to dismantle the barriers associated with motherhood, womanhood, and sisterhood while reshaping the world of maternal health for women of color. And the work of the Ironbound Community Corporation with the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council is about advocating and organizing for concrete policy solutions to advance environmental justice.

While we certainly have more work to do, the efforts of advocacy organizations led to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signing the New Jersey Environmental Justice Law, which makes New Jersey the first state in the country to require mandatory permit denials if an environmental justice analysis determines that a new facility will have a negative impact on overburdened communities. This law can serve as a national model.

Similarly, New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy launched the Nurture NJ Strategic Plan, which is working to reduce the states maternal and infant mortality rates through solutions championed by the communities that are impacted by these inequities. As a result, Gov. Phil Murphy has signed over 42 pieces of legislation to address this urgent issue.

These are important steps forward, but more must be done locally and nationally to address health equity and the Black maternal health crisis.

That is why we are coming together to raise awareness and advance an action agenda through IMAGINE MORE: Racial Justice Begins with Us, a virtual series that brings together one of the largest and most diverse lineups of New Jersey organizations and voices from across the ideological spectrum to develop a strategic plan for racial justice and reparations aimed at repairing the harm of ongoing systemic injustice. This event series is about making sure that the promises made during the racial reckoning are kept.

IMAGINE MORE is ensuring people have the information and tools to push for policies and change in their own communities. The series covers disparities in economics, the criminal justice system, housing, education, healthcare, and political power because all of these issues are interconnected. Join us for the next IMAGINE MORE installment, Ensuring Health for All, taking place on Tuesday, June 21 at 6 p.m.

True systemic change requires education, advocacy, and movement buildingand it starts with us. Lets imagine a more just, fair, and equitable future together.

Maria Lopez-Nunez is a member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council and deputy director of organizing and advocacy for the Ironbound Community Corporation.

Michellene Davis, Esq., is president and chief executive officer of National Medical Fellowships.

Jaye Wilson, LPN, is the founder and chief executive officer of Melinated Moms.

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Climate change contributes to the Black maternal health crisis | Opinion - NJ.com

Webcast Details

Below are audio and video plus a transcript of the conversation, including time stamps.

Your CliftonStrengths can empower the 5 elements of your wellbeing -- career, social, financial, community and physical. But how does this happen if you are struggling in one or more of these elements? If you have Intellection, Appendix 1 of Gallup's Wellbeing at Work book has Strengths Insights and Action Items that can move you from struggling to thriving as you apply your Intellection talent to fuel your wellbeing. Join Jaclynn Robinson and Jim Collison on this CliftonStrengths Podcast to discover how.

Jim Collison 0:00I am Jim Collison, and welcome to The CliftonStrengths Podcast. On this podcast, we'll be covering topics such as wellbeing, teamwork, professional development and more. Now enjoy this episode.

Jim Collison 0:10In this CliftonStrengths Podcast, we'll look at the Strengths Insight and Action Planning items from Appendix 1 in the Gallup book Wellbeing at Work one theme at a time, and today's theme is Intellection. If you're listening live, we'd love to have you join us in our chat room. There's just a link right above there. Or if you're listening after the fact, you can always send us an email: coaching@gallup.com. Dr. Jaclynn Robinson is our host today. She works as a Gallup Learning and Development Consultant and was the primary contributor to Appendix 1 in the Wellbeing at Work book. And Jaclynn, it's always great to have you here. Welcome back!

Jaclynn Robinson 0:44Likewise. Thank you.

Jim Collison 0:46Let's get started with the standard definition. When we think of Intellection, what do we think of?

Jaclynn Robinson 0:51Let's dig in. People that lead with the Intellection theme are characterized by their intellectual activity. They're introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.

Jim Collison 1:02I have a lot of theme envy, but no one's ever accused me of this. So let's just get that out in the open before we start. As we think about this theme definition, how does it relate to you? And how does it relate to others?

Jaclynn Robinson 1:13I think about this relating to you as spending time each day engaging in a book, mindfulness activities or even a movie in which you learn a thing or two. That can feel ideal to you. So whatever you do, it's carving out time in a day for some solitude that truly keeps you at your best. How it relates to others: Because of your scholastic insights and that desire to engage in more deep and meaningful discussion, you have a natural way of asking a question or bringing up an insight that has individuals and teams stop to reflect more deeply. I always think about it as the, "Wow, I never thought about that!" kind of reaction that you end up getting from individuals and teams.

Jaclynn Robinson 1:13The silence in the room, and everybody goes, "Whoa!"

Jaclynn Robinson 1:19You just took it there. I didn't think about that. That is your superpower.

Jim Collison 1:27Yeah. It's great. When I was in college, one of my best friends high in Intellection. And I could give him a problem to think about and forget that I even had the conversation. I do that. And he'd come back 2 or 3 days later and remind me and then tell me what he thought about it. And it was super helpful, because I'd be like, "Oh, yeah, I totally forgot I even asked you to do that." And then he would have all these things that he thought about it. And it was just, it was really, really great. I really learned to appreciate that in him and figured out ways to work together on that, you know. So it was pretty cool. We are spending this series thinking about wellbeing. And so let's look at this theme first, maybe as it's thriving and then maybe as it's struggling.

Jaclynn Robinson 2:44Thriving is when you have the freedom to reflect and spend time in solitude. It's this time that allows for thoughts to flow, for ideas to come together, and processes, actions or even upcoming conversations to be thought through. Those high in Intellection will sometimes think through the conversation they want to have with somebody. So that's what I mean by these conversations here. And then in terms of struggling, if you're not afforded time in the day to process information or thoughts or ideas or your to-do list, it could feel unsettling and a bit anxiety ridden. So this can be compounded even more if the environment's loud and busy. And those are the types of things that could really lead someone high in Intellection to struggle.

Jim Collison 3:25Or distracting -- I know that borderlines a little bit on Focus but, but, you know, distracting, not conducive to that time that's needed or, or, or whatever -- however that fits in, right, in, in some of that, or maybe related stress associated with it, right, of not being able to be in the right frame of mind from that. So --

Jaclynn Robinson 3:48It is a good sort, because with Focus, you might want that quiet time so you can go deep and intentional into your work. But with Intellection, that quiet time allows you to have solitude, which is the need, so that you can just process your ideas and thoughts or whatnot in your mind, or just find a source of relaxation and not hyperstimulation.

Jim Collison 4:08I love that insight. No, that's, that's -- again, and this is an area of, I have very little insight into, so thank you for, for doing that. In the back of the book, we cover, by each of the 5 wellbeing elements, we talk about these themes. A great resources for folks who want to dig in on it. You've chosen one for us today. What do you have?

Jaclynn Robinson 4:27I have. So career wellbeing. This one comes up often in the workplace. And so, so I think it's just key to maybe hit on this topic today. But with someone with Intellection, look for opportunities to give this person the freedom to reflect and to use their full intellectual ability. They'll appreciate the time to noodle on new information, people or processes before putting ideas and opinions together on how to proceed. So I share that with managers, with colleagues, with family members when you hear that.

Jim Collison 5:00I did that just a couple times today. I had a problem -- I was, I had a text analytics problem that I needed to kind of solve. And I reached out to four, four folks that I know who have that. I was like, Hey, could you just think about this for a second? And some I couldn't even talk to, so I just left them a message so they would be able to hear that or, or read it. And I fully expect them, they'll get back to me in a couple days, you know, it's one of those kinds of things, just plant some seeds. And be like, Hey, just think about this for me, you know. And, and they're all trusted, I mean, they're all trusted friends that they, they know what I'm doing. They know my gig.

Jaclynn Robinson 5:35That's a great best practice too. You're like, Just think about this for me or noodle on it; you're not pressuring them to have the answer right then and there. I love that you are planting those seeds, and that that's the way you refer to that.

Jim Collison 5:46Yeah, take your time, take your time. Let's, I just, I need some -- well, and part of the, you know, part of the Arranger allows me to get a lot of those things going on at the same time. So I can be throwing those seeds out in, in a variety of places for folks, who then can single-track. Because I don't have any ability to single-track. I just don't; I need others to single-track for me. And so it's just become a really, for me, the, having that network around me of folks that I know I can go to get that done super, has been super helpful, especially during the pandemic, that has been really, it's been really, really key. And it's actually been a place for Teams -- I'm not a big fan of that -- but Teams has really helped because we can IM each other, and that never worked before the pandemic. There was no, it was either email or, I don't know.

Jaclynn Robinson 6:31That's true.

Jim Collison 6:32But now IM works internally, from a corporate standpoint. So that's, that's, that's pretty cool. They probably don't appreciate me pinging them. But, but they're thinking about other things.

Jaclynn Robinson 6:42That's what that Do Not Disturb is for, though.

Jim Collison 6:45Like I know it's red, but I ignored it. Right. So, Jaclynn, as we think about Intellection, and how it can be, speaking of it, how it can be used to support others, let's talk a little bit about that.

Jaclynn Robinson 6:58Yeah, so if you're a manager or you're leading a team, with your uncanny ability to take a topic and go quite deep with it, considering information that might not have surfaced yet for others, you can formulate questions that get your team members to think about something in a new and enlightening way. So again, going back to that question-asking, where there's something that you've thought of, or you're reflecting on, that you recognize hasn't crossed their minds yet, just offering that up and putting it on the table can really have them go, "Oh, wow. Yes, I didn't think about that." And you could take them on this new, enlightening journey. If you're on a team, when others need someone to bounce a topic off of, to ensure they're considering it in all of its depth and spirit, you could be that person after, again, given a window of time, to think through that question or topic that has some thoughts or follow-up questions that they haven't yet considered.

Jaclynn Robinson 7:54And then as an individual, once you identify your hobbies, passions and topics of interests, you're capable of diving even deeper into your knowledge of them. So this might show up in weekend museum visits or hours spent reading your favorite book genre. Or this could be additional skills training or continuing education you're doing that supports your career paths. So I think it's just remembering that, bringing that back to the surface and then identifying and spotting how you can invest in that further.

Jim Collison 8:23Yeah, no, I love it. I think that's some great advice there. In Appendix 2, we've got some framework to kind of think this through -- a very simple framework for you. Can be used as an individual; can be used as a coach in a coaching session. Walk us through that with one of these themes.

Jaclynn Robinson 8:41Yes. So with Intellection, Ask Yourself: How can I apply my passions and interests to organizations in my community? Ask Your Team Members: How does the work we do every day have an impact on our communities? You might already have some answers to that. But sometimes people just need the extra, they need someone to just kind of bring that out and call it out to have them think a little bit more deeply. How is the work I'm doing everyday impacting the community? How is that connected to a larger mission or purpose? And then Taking Action: Serve as volunteers or board members for organizations that are important to your team. So after resurfacing some questions about what is important, how are we contributing, you might actually identify a community that you all can contribute to.

Jim Collison 9:32I love that. As we think of, you know, it's March 2022. Special times; I think we thought we'd be in a different spot today. You know, you might be listening to this 4 or 5 years from now and have some insight, hopefully, have some insight. But how do you think we can use, from a wellbeing perspective, and just that -- how do you think we could use Intellection? Those with high Intellection could serve the greater good in this.

Jaclynn Robinson 9:57I've noticed those high in Intellection, when it comes to crisis situations, they can help people get really centered. They help them recognize -- gosh, I'm seeing this right now, and I'm trying to even figure out myself how I want to frame it up -- but they help people just have some time to kind of express what they're going through or what their thoughts might be. Because again, they do like that deep, meaningful conversation. And they'll allow people to just let that kind of breathe out in the open. And they might ask a question that takes them deeper. And I think, so that's, that's one part of it, just as we think about what the team might be going through. But then they also are pretty knowledgeable in what's going on in the world or within that crisis situation, particularly if it's of interest.

Jaclynn Robinson 10:47And so if other people on the team are really interested in knowing more, pulling them in, helping them go deeper in a particular area of interest that they might have, or saying, "Oh, I just read this. And then I read this article as well." Not to be confused with Input. But they'll go really deep on a topic and say, "This is what I'm hearing," or "Have you thought about it from this perspective?" They'll offer up some questions that help people go, "Oh, I see, I see what's happening and how that might impact X or how that might impact Y." So I think they're really good to have around, because they, people can sometimes have some oversight, and they don't quite recognize that they're not hitting the nail on the head. People high in Intellection can help teams and managers and even the organization say, "You need to put this in writing," or "Have you thought about this? Because this is how it's going to impact us on a larger level. We need to take this deeper than we have. It's a little too surface."

Jim Collison 11:46I love that. It causes me, I'm constantly moving and thinking on my feet. There are times I need a well-thought-through position; a well-thought-through (doesn't mean I need to agree with it). But I appreciate a well-thought-through, thoughtful, right, conversation, discussion, information. Like, you know that, I appreciate that. And oftentimes, I'm, when I recognize it, I really, I really, really, really crave it. You know, you're like, OK, tell -- OK, oh, I found someone. Tell me more, because I won't spend the time doing it, right.

Jaclynn Robinson 12:23It's true. They, they help you feel like you can be really authentic and genuine in that moment of crisis or in that moment of, Oh, we got to take this and go deep with it. They might be the person to offer up the townhall to say, This is gonna give us an opportune moment to just have an enriching, meaningful conversation. And maybe we'll have some key actions and takeaways at the end, which would be beneficial.

Jim Collison 12:46Thank you so much for listening to today's episode of The CliftonStrengths Podcast. Make sure you like and subscribe wherever you listen, so you never miss an episode. And if you're really enjoying this podcast, please leave a review. This helps us promote strengths globally.

Jaclynn Robinson's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are Achiever, Strategic, Maximizer, Positivity and Relator.

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How to Improve Your Wellbeing With Intellection - Gallup

BOSTON (WWLP) For the first time in 10 years, the Baker-Polito Administration released grant applications for Commonwealths Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Nutrition Education Program, known as SNAP-Ed.

In accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, SNAP-Ed offers nutrition education programs that promote healthy food choices and physical activity through federally funded grants. A total of $7.4 million in federal funds is currently available.

To procure new vendors for the Commonwealths SNAP-Ed program, which is administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), the Baker-Polito Administration released a Request for Responses (RFR).

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity and shined a light on the impacts of diet-related chronic diseases and nutrition and health inequities, saidSecretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. Taking an intentional approach to bring on new SNAP-Ed vendors who can support SNAP clients with disabilities and serve areas with existing food access barriers will further strengthen the Commonwealths effort to support equitable access to nutritious food, reduce chronic disease, and promote health and well-being.

The past 30 years have highlighted the importance of SNAP-Ed in providing low-income individuals and families with access to cooking classes, recipes, tips for shopping on a budget and more. The program also plays an important role in moving nutrition and public health related policy, system, and environmental changes forward, saidDepartment of Transitional Assistance Acting Commissioner Mary Sheehan. This RFR builds on the approach the Administration has used to enroll new Healthy Incentives Program farm vendors and restaurants/food trucks for the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program that strengths food security and promotes a just food system and thriving local communities.

According to the Department of Transitional Assistance, vendors eligible for participation include community-based organizations (CBOs), non-profit agencies, land grant universities, and state agencies.

The application deadline is July 13, 2022. Visit COMMBUYS, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts procurement record system for more information.

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SNAP Nutrition Education Program: $7.4M opportunity for vendors to partake in - WWLP.com

The company made the announcement Friday after tens of thousands of customers suffered losses during the forced power outages.

COLUMBUS, Ohio Rob Dorans was one of the tens of thousands of AEP Ohio customers who lost power during this weeks forced outages. And that meant the Columbus City Council member lost a lot of food, too.

Unfortunately everything had to go, he said of the contents of his fridge.

It was a tough blow, but he found a glimmer of hope in the knowledge that he could file a claim with AEP Ohio asking to be compensated for his loss.

The companys website lists food spoilage among the losses that could be covered. He also shared this information with his followers on Twitter.

Weve seen the amount of money that has gone into grocery budgets go up, and, yeah, thats really hurting a lot of our families across the city that can least afford another hit to their grocery bill, he said.

But then Dorans received an email from AEP Ohio, the first direct communication he said he received from the company since the outage started.

The email, shared with 10TV and on Twitter, read, in part: Im writing to provide you with correct information regarding our policy on reimbursement for spoiled food after a storm. AEP Ohio does not reimburse for perishable items during a power outage. We recommend checking with your insurance agent.

Dorans deleted his previous tweets and expressed his frustration on Twitter.

That is very different than an intentional blackout in which AEP made specific choices to turn certain peoples power off, and theyve spent several days now saying about how of an extraordinary event this was, Dorans said. Well, if its so extraordinary, why arent they doing the thing that they can do in providing some compensation for folks that have been caught in this very extraordinary, intentional situation.

Just hours later, AEP Ohio announced it would be compensating customers, with the announcement of $1 million in funding.

This week, extreme storms, followed by extremely hot weather resulted in a unique situation where power outages throughout Columbus had to be taken to prevent wider spread outages, which created challenges for many Franklin County residents. Were partnering with various organizations, including Columbus Urban League, IMPACT Community Action, Lifecare Alliance and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, and will provide a financial contribution of $1 million funded by the AEP Ohio Fund of the Columbus Foundation that will be used to help relieve financial burdens these residents experienced as a result of this highly unique event. The AEP Ohio Fund and the AEP Foundation have consistently supported non-profits that are providing support to our customers and communities.

But 10TV questioned whether that was enough. At the peak of the outage, 170,000 Franklin County customers were without power. If all filed claims, each customer would not even receive $6.

Were partnering with these organizations to provide support for customers who were affected by the outages in Columbus and will be working with them to provide more detailed information on how customers can seek assistance, AEP Ohio said in a statement.

As for other customers outside Franklin County, starting Monday, AEP Ohio is expanding the assistance provided through the neighbor-to-neighbor program, which provides eligible customers with utility assistance grants applied directly to their bills.

AEP Ohio also informed 10TV that customers will need to apply for assistance directly through the organizations, not the AEP Ohio website.

Meanwhile, Dorans is already looking ahead to ways to prevent something similar from happening in the future. He said city leaders are trying to find ways to support residents.

And he shared the hope that AEP Ohio will make some changes as well.

Its their responsibility to make sure that the grid works, and when these types of events come up, to help mitigate the worst effects of those things on our residents, Dorans said. Power outages happen. Most folks get that and will deal with it the best they can. The lack of understanding about what is happening and why, I think, is one of the main, main drivers of the really intense frustration that Im hearing from community member.

For more information about the outages and the AEP Ohio response, click here.

See more here:

AEP to offer $1 million in compensation for customers impacted by emergency outages - 10TV

Laura Mitchell| Opinion contributor

Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general, has sounded the alarm on the youth mental health crises our country faces, with unprecedented challenges made even more severe by the pandemic. His recent report was as clear as it was dire.

"The pandemic eras unfathomable number of deaths, pervasive sense of fear, economic instability, and forced physical distancing from loved ones, friends, and communities have exacerbated the unprecedented stresses young people already faced,"Murthy wrote. "Our obligation to act is not just medical its moral."

Our children are simply coping with the effects of the world in which they are growing up. A global health crisis, massive geo-political unrest, including the war in Ukraine, growing climate concerns, and ongoing racial and political division in the U.S. are fueling this decline in the overall mental wellness of our youth. Regardless of how intentionally we try and protect our children, they are inevitably being impacted by these massive forces influencing everyone, everywhere.

Its clear that massive, intentional action is necessary to create better outcomes for physical health and mental well-being. Our plans must go beyond addressing our current situation they must consider the future and build toward a brighter tomorrow.

To start, we need to reframe the question about mental wellness. Its time to ask different questions.

"Whats right with you?"instead of "What happened to you?"

"Whats strong with you?" instead of "Whats wrong with you?"

Once we are asking the right questions, we can address mental health challenges head-on, together, as a community.

But, what if we all came together to create better systems that could transform the future for us and our children? We must develop a comprehensive approach that brings together doctors, therapists, teachers, social workersand other diverse experts in appropriate fields of study. Involve parents, civic leaders, clergyand everyone in the community. An intentional community response is critical as everyone in the city benefits from the improved mental health of its citizens.

A comprehensive solution isnt just throwing money at the problem and hoping that overburdened schools, government programsand social service agencies pick up the slack, though proper funding is important. No, a comprehensive plan means looking at every aspect of the problems we face.

For example, a recent study on mental health in teens found that proper diet, nutrition and exercise can reduce depression in young people, and this is just the type of insight we should act upon. We need to look at health care and prescription costs, and destigmatize and decriminalize mental health. We have to increase the number of qualified providers of mental health services and remove barriers to accessing this care.

Beech Acres Parenting Center wants to be part of the change.As we head into summer, know our mental health teams inside local schools are prepared to continue to provide services to students.Our experienced Parent Connext team is on hand to meet individually with parents to support them with anything from separation anxiety to screentime battles.With All Families staff is equipped to support foster families, kinship families and any family facing challenges and hardships that need empathy and help connecting to resources.

Now is the time to be curious and discover solutions with the community. Listen and observe whats happening in our schools, on our playgrounds, in our parksand in our neighborhoods. Test possible solutions and learn from our failures. Create accountability by establishing ways to share access to data that is easy to find and understand. Make kindness and empathy the norm. Successes can be shared and scale from neighborhood to neighborhood and community to community.

Lets move away from coping with a decline in mental wellness and toward transforming our community to a healthy, positive environment where our children can thrive.

Laura Mitchell is president and CEO of Beech Acres Parenting Center in Anderson Township.

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Opinion: Acting on youth mental health crisis is a medical and moral obligation - The Cincinnati Enquirer