Communities Helping Communities
Communities Helping Communities
Third Thursdays at Three
Greenbush is proud to introduce Communities Helping Communities – a yearlong series packed full of live virtual presentations on a wide variety of ways you can help support and improve your community. Join us on the Third Thursday of every month at Three as we meet with experts in grant writing; Social Emotional Learning; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives; creating safe spaces for members of the LGBTQ+ community; and much more! Learn more about each session and the presenters below. We can’t wait to see you there!
2023-2024
Cultural Sensitivity in the Classroom
The work of equity and diversity is about creating community, which involves building trust through careful listening, respectful disagreement, and taking risks. In this session, we discuss microaggression theory as first developed by Chester M. Pierce along with some examples of the concept (DeAngelis, 2009, http://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/02/microaggression.aspx). As leaders, you will be challenged to take intentional action in order to build an inclusive and thriving classroom. This moves beyond having good intentions to creating policies, practices, and atmospheres for success for all students. We will discuss how to avoid microaggressions, what to do in the case that we slip, and how to teach students the abiding power of microaggressions.
Presented by Deatrea Rose
Deatrea Rose is currently serving as the Associate Vice-President for Inclusion and Belonging at Pittsburg State University. For the past 13 years, Rose has served PSU as their Senior Diversity Officer, dedicating her work to promoting inclusion and belonging through various interactive workshops for students, faculty and staff. She is a noted grant writer and has successfully funded Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound and Student Support Services grants. Her love for inclusion is evident in the work that she does while working with high school and college students, faculty, staff and administrators. Faculty, staff and administrators will leave her sessions armed with a toolkit to assist in the daily challenges they face working with a diverse student population. Deatrea holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University. She has completed coursework for the Doctorate Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Arkansas and is currently working toward the completion of her Dissertation.
Engaging Boards and Volunteers Through Meaningful Work
Join us to discuss how to maximize the effectiveness of a group of people who care about a community topic. Boards, committees, associations, and informal groups centered around a community need are powerful. Learn strategies to organize engagement, handle the politics of the group and understand finances so you can focus on meaningful work!
Presented by Monica Murnan
Monica Murnan serves as the Director of Community Supports at Greenbush, a collaborative focused on building capacity in school districts and communities. A longtime early childhood advocate and licensed teacher and administrator, Murnan has served as the Executive Director of the Family Resource Center and Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. She worked extensively on program development, implementation, management, and evaluation in those roles. During her time in non-profit management, she has developed skills in fiscal planning, collaborative programming for direct services, and organizational development to maximize limited resources. She currently works with multiple projects that impact community programming in the area of health care access, behavioral health integration into school settings, special education, and data analysis.
How to Fund Great Projects in Your Community Through Grant Writing
Your community projects are important and finding funding can be overwhelming. Let us help break the process down into manageable parts. Needs assessment, goal setting, action plans and budgets will be discussed, along with tips and tricks for successful submissions.
Presented by Monica Murnan
Monica Murnan serves as the Director of Community Supports at Greenbush, a collaborative focused on building capacity in school districts and communities. A longtime early childhood advocate and licensed teacher and administrator, Murnan has served as the Executive Director of the Family Resource Center and Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. She worked extensively on program development, implementation, management, and evaluation in those roles. During her time in non-profit management, she has developed skills in fiscal planning, collaborative programming for direct services, and organizational development to maximize limited resources. She currently works with multiple projects that impact community programming in the area of health care access, behavioral health integration into school settings, special education, and data analysis.
Special Education 101: Understanding How It Works for Kids and Families
An Explanation of how Special Education Services are accessed and utilized by public school students. The difference between general education, special education, and general education with accommodations will be addressed, as will post-secondary services and the purpose of related services. Alphabet soup will be defined.
Presented by: Svetlana Hruda
BS in education from Cornell University; MS in special education from Bank Street College of Education; certified special education teacher, Kansas; certified registered therapeutic riding instructor, PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International Level Two certified Centered Riding Instructor; Reiki Master Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, PATH International; Certified Brain Injury Specialist from the Brain Injury Association of America; Transitional Living Specialist, Kansas.
Traumatic Brain Injury 101: How to Best Support Kids and Families
General overview of brain injuries, sequelae, and how to serve current brain injured students now and throughout their academic lives. Accessing the Kansas brain injury waiver, decoding B.I. alphabet soup, and post-secondary services will be addressed.
Presented by: Svetlana Hruda
BS in education from Cornell University; MS in special education from Bank Street College of Education; certified special education teacher, Kansas; certified registered therapeutic riding instructor, PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International Level Two certified Centered Riding Instructor; Reiki Master Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, PATH International; Certified Brain Injury Specialist from the Brain Injury Association of America; Transitional Living Specialist, Kansas.
Kansas Opioid Settlement Update
This presentation will provide an overview and update on the opioid settlements received in Kansas. This presentation will also provide an overview of the first-year funding initiatives of the Kansas Fights Addiction grant review board. This includes two grant requests for proposals, funded projects, and a comprehensive statewide needs assessment.
Presented by: Chris Teters & Krista Machado
Assistant Attorney General Chris Teters joined the Kansas Attorney General’s Office in 2019 to serve as the state’s primary attorney working on opioid litigation and coordinating the opioid settlement process throughout the state. In his tenure, he has worked to ensure the State receives its full share of any settlement dollars and to keep opioid manufacturers, distributors, and consultants accountable for their actions. Prior to joining the AG’s office, Chris worked as a law clerk for the Honorable U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Sebelius in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas and as a research attorney for the Honorable Judge David Bruns of the Kansas Court of Appeals.
Krista Machado oversees the foundation’s work with the Kansas Fights Addiction Board and Kansas Attorney General’s Office, assisting with grant management and strategies aimed at preventing, treating or mitigating the effects of substance use and addiction. She has over seven years of experience leading statewide prescription drug and opioid initiatives facilitated the development of a statewide strategic plan to address the opioid crisis in Kansas. She serves on the Board of Directors for Safe Kids Kansas and the Kansas Recovery Network; she also serves on the Kansas Citizens Committee a subcommittee of the Governor’s Behavioral Health Services Planning Council. Krista has a Master of Science in Psychology.
Euphoria, Despair, and Death: Review of Opioid Receptor Modulation
The United States has experienced an 18% increase in opioid related deaths since the COVID Pandemic. Eighty-eight percent of these deaths were associated with Fentanyl exposure. This educational presentation will provide an anatomical, behavioral, and physiological review of the opioid receptor system. A review of disease presentation and progression of Opioid Use Disorder will be provided with a special emphasis place on the role of synthetic opioids. This presentation will conclude with a review of available treatment options including the role of medications for opioid use disorder.
Presented by: Eric Thomason, PMHNP, MBA
Eric Thomason serves as the Vice President of Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Services for Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. His educational history includes a master’s degree in Nursing Science from the University of Missouri Kansas City and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Pittsburg State University. He carries board certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. His clinical background includes a combination of inpatient, outpatient, and addiction services utilizing medication assisted treatment.
Understanding the Nervous Sytstem
Understanding your nervous system—and how it reacts automatically to social and environmental factors—gives you the power to detect reflexive shifts and respond in a way that is safe and supportive in relationship with yourself and others. Polyvagal Theory looks at the ways our nervous system, physiological responses, and emotional responses intertwine. Join us to learn a bit about the theory and how it might apply to your day to day experiences with those you love and serve.
Presented by: Jennifer Taylor
A licensed classroom teacher and special educator with over 12 years of experience, Jennifer Taylor is an Education Behavior Consultant with the Specialized Learning Services team at Greenbush. Jennifer has a great passion for bringing compassion and resilience to communities through a better understanding of the human experience.
Inclusive Language
Communication for All – Let’s Talk about Inclusive Language
He, She, They, Them, Mom, Dad, Partner, etc. are a few examples of learning how to communicate with not only our students but their care providers. This session will focus on how we greet one another, how we communicate in social settings, and understanding the use of chosen (preferred) names, gender expression understanding and above else, how not to make those around us feel isolated. Come into a safe space and let’s discuss how to ensure all of our students, their care givers and even our colleagues can feel seen, valued and a part of our community.
Presented by: Deatrea Rose
Deatrea Rose is currently serving as the Associate Vice-President for Inclusion and Belonging at Pittsburg State University. For the past 13 years, Rose has served PSU as their Senior Diversity Officer, dedicating her work to promoting inclusion and belonging through various interactive workshops for students, faculty and staff. She is a noted grant writer and has successfully funded Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound and Student Support Services grants. Her love for inclusion is evident in the work that she does while working with high school and college students, faculty, staff and administrators. Faculty, staff and administrators will leave her sessions armed with a toolkit to assist in the daily challenges they face working with a diverse student population. Deatrea holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University. She has completed coursework for the Doctorate Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Arkansas and is currently working toward the completion of her Dissertation.
How to Use Data to Create Great Communities for Kids
Finding data that supports your community efforts can be overwhelming. This session will narrow down data sources, provide strategies about how to use data, and provide a basic framework for a needs assessment process that will support your community’s efforts.
Presented by: Dawn Flores
Dawn Flores has over two decades of experience in proposal development, grant/contract management, program administration, strategic planning, and evaluation. She has worked for LTI since 2015, collaborating with schools, communities, and health care organizations on local, state, and federal projects. Project funders include Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), as well as a myriad of other local, regional, and state organizations. Experienced in curriculum development and provides online training for Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities. Community service includes serving on the Board of Directors for the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas since 2004, Building Health since 2020, and the Inspire Foundation since 2022. Degrees include a bachelor’s in Human Resource Management and a master’s in Human Resource Development with an emphasis in Organizational Development and Leadership.
Creating a Safe Space for our Students
Is your classroom a safe space for our students to feel freedom to express themselves? Are you interested in learning how to use pronouns correctly, along with calling students their chosen or preferred names?
This session will serve as an introduction to understanding gender and sexuality and how it relates to understanding the plights of our LGBTQIA+ population. We will discuss ways to demonstrate being an inclusive partner in helping our students feel comfortable within the constructs of their environment, whether in the classroom, walking the halls or interacting in an office or department.
Presented by Deatrea Rose
Deatrea Rose is currently serving as the Associate Vice-President for Inclusion and Belonging at Pittsburg State University. For the past 13 years, Rose has served PSU as their Senior Diversity Officer, dedicating her wark to promoting inclusion and belonging through various interactive workshops for students, faculty and staff. She is a noted grant writer and has successfully funded Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound and Student Support Services grants. Her love for inclusion is evident in the work that she does while working with high school and college students, faculty, staff and administrators. Faculty, staff and administrators will leave her sessions armed with a toolkit to assist in the daily challenges they face working with a diverse student population. Deatrea holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University. She has completed coursework for the Doctorate Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Arkansas and is currently working toward the completion of her Dissertation.
2022-2023 RECORDED SESSIONS
Raising Awareness about Suicide Prevention in Your Community
During this workshop, participants will learn how to identify the risk factors and warning signs for suicide, have a better understanding of helpful intervention strategies for individuals at risk of suicide, how to share this information with others and identify positive factors and resources for helping people who may be at risk of suicide.
About Your Presenters:
Joy Schwartz, Community Support Specialist, has worked with DCCCA for more than six years. Joy provides technical support to coalitions and task forces in Southwest Kansas working on community prevention efforts. Joy also is a trainer for CPR, QPR, and Substance Abuse Prevention Training.
Dena Kemp, MSW and Community Support Specialist, has worked with DCCCA since 2018. She is a Certified Prevention Professional and is a certified trainer for Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training and Ethics in Prevention. Dena has worked in social services for more than 20 years supporting communities.
Fostering and Promoting Inclusion in Your Community
Many people have never had the opportunity to experience culture outside of where they live. This workshop will assist community members in how to have an open dialogue about differences within a comfortable setting.
About Your Presenter:
Deatrea Rose is currently promoting inclusion and diversity through a number of interactive workshops that allow students, faculty, staff, and administrators to utilize critical thinking, problem solving and sound decision making.
Faculty, staff, and administrators will leave her sessions armed with a toolkit to assist in the daily challenges they face working with diverse student populations.
40 Developmental Assets in Your Community
During this workshop, participants will learn about The Developmental Assets Framework developed by the Search Institute. The Search Institute has identified 40 positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. Participants will learn how to leverage these assets to support youth in their community.
About Your Presenter:
Crystal Dalmasso, Prevention Specialist and Training Consultant, has worked with DCCCA for over 4 years. She provides support for community organizations with their substance misuse prevention and mental health awareness efforts and offers topic specific training for community members and families throughout the state of Kansas. Crystal has a Master of Arts in Communication from Wichita State University, a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate through Cornell, is a certified trainer for Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training, a certified trainer for youth and adult Mental Health First Aid, and is also a Nonviolent Crisis Intervention trainer.
Connecting Prevention of Substance Use at the Community Level to School Investment in Social and Emotional Learning
Communities care about kids. The people in those communities may have similar goals and efforts, but not know of the connections. This session connects community level prevention work with efforts already being made in Kansas Schools.
About Your Presenter:
Monica Murnan, Director of Community Support Services at Greenbush, has a 25-year history of working with communities in Southeast Kansas to develop projects that serve kids and families. A licensed teacher and school administrator, Murnan brings her experience in health care and education to this session to support others in their efforts to build strong communities.
Unlocking Bias in Your Community
This session will walk you through the four types of unconscious bias, help you identify what biases you may have, but most importantly how to combat unconscious bias and transform your environment into one of respect and acceptance for all.
About Your Presenter:
Deatrea Rose is currently promoting inclusion and diversity through a number of interactive workshops that allow students, faculty, staff, and administrators to utilize critical thinking, problem solving and sound decision making.
Faculty, staff, and administrators will leave her session armed with a toolkit to assist in the daily challenges they face working with diverse student populations.
Let’s Talk About How Stress Impacts Your Community
The pattern of stress in our lives determines its impact on us. Stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In this session we will discuss how our brains and bodies experience stress and ways in which we can support ourselves and others.
About Your Presenter:
Jennifer Taylor, Education Behavior Consultant at Greenbush, is a licensed classroom teacher and special educator with over 12 years of experience. Jennifer has a great passion for bringing compassion and resilience to communities through a better understanding of the human experience.
How Crisis Prevention is Shaping Up in Your Community
In today’s environment, any public gathering location is susceptible to a crisis situation. Being PrePared is a must to mitigate the impact of any given crisis that may arise. The PrePare Model allows entities to formulate and implement a crisis response plan. PrePare includes the review and revision of existing plans or the development of new plans.
About Your Presenter:
Kenny Massey, Crisis Consortium Coordinator, is a 30+ year veteran of law enforcement, past school board member, and city council member. Kenny brings an understanding and passion related to the importance of safety and security within any public entity. Utilizing outcome-based processes from the National Association of School Psychologists (PrePare Model) we can begin the process of preparing for, preventing, responding to, and recovering from an emergency situation.
Creating Safe Spaces
Many community members refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because it feels taboo, or because they’re afraid of saying the wrong thing. This session will introduce a glossary of words, phrases and open the dialogue on how to create a safe space for our students who are exploring their sexuality. A toolkit of ideas and best practices will be shared, including defining gender and sexuality identities, identify resources, and define advocacy.
About Your Presenter:
Deatrea Rose is currently promoting inclusion and diversity through a number of interactive workshops that allow students, faculty, staff, and administrators to utilize critical thinking, problem solving and sound decision making.
Faculty, staff, and administrators will leave her session armed with a toolkit to assist in the daily challenges they face working with diverse student populations.
How to Use Data to Create Great Communities for Kids
Finding data that supports your community efforts can be overwhelming. This session will narrow down data sources, provide strategies about how to use data, and provide a basic framework for a needs assessment process that will support your community’s efforts.
About Your Presenter:
Monica Murnan, Director of Community Support Services at Greenbush, has a 25-year history of working with communities in Southeast Kansas to develop projects that serve kids and families. A licensed teacher and school administrator, Murnan brings her experience in health care and education to this session to support others in their efforts to build strong communities.
How to Fund Great Projects in Your Community Through Grant Writing
Your community projects are important and finding funding can be overwhelming. Let us help break the process down into manageable parts. Needs assessment, goal setting, action plans and budgets will be discussed, along with tips and tricks for successful submissions.
About Your Presenter:
Bonnie Houk, GPC, Director of Grants Management, Southeast Kansas Education Service Center has been instrumental in the awarding of 361 proposals totaling more than $93 million for school districts, community organizations, and foundations.
View presentation document here.