RCLLG March Newsletter
Newsletter Content:
1. March 12 Meeting Summary
2. Land Use FREE Webinar Opportunity
3. Land Use On-Demand Trainings
4. Quick-Action Project Grants Available!
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March Members Meeting:
Collective Action Workgroup & Mental Health
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Last Friday, March 12th, RCLLG held their March members meeting on the topic “Continuing the Conversation: RCLLG's Collective Action Workgroup & Mental Health.” Lisa Laliberte first gave a collective action workgroup update, followed by the focus of the meeting: small group discussions on how we can work together to create meaningful change around mental health!
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Collective Action Workgroup Update
What they've done: The Collection Action workgroup, at last month’s February members meeting, presented information to legislators regarding RCLLG’s focus on mental health, as well as heard where this focus intersects with legislative priorities.
What they're doing: The Collective Action workgroup plans to hold mental-health related presentations and discussions on an every-other-month basis. This group will also continue to share and identify resources with RCLLG, such as a PowerPoint about the workgroup, Resource Fairs, and more. Anyone is welcome to join this workgroup at any time! This group also encourages RCLLG members to inform others of RCLLG’s new strategic plan/focus on mental health.
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Discussion Report-Out
After 30 minutes of discussion, each small group reported out to the larger group. One theme that emerged was the diversion of resources. Police are currently taking more mental health calls and consequently, mental health training could be offered to law enforcement. Another solution would be to expand the program Ramsey County has with Maplewood to embed a county social worker with local police departments and/or extend partnerships with organizations such as Northeast Youth and Family Services.
How do we measure collective action? It was discussed that specific objectives would need to be created utilizing baseline data, and collecting and analyzing the data against these objectives would tell the story. Collecting data could require partnerships.
The de-stigmatization of mental health remains a barrier. How do we educate society what the scope of mental health is? It was discussed that other groups of people need to be kept in mind as well, such as veterans, churches, and first responders. There are many complex intersections in mental health, such as racial trauma, poverty and housing.
Potential Tangible Action Steps
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Research successful programs/money re-allocations in other U.S. cities and introduce these programs to city councils.
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School district collaboration with cities - breaking the silo between school districts and cities!
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Initiative to embed a social worker in each safety department. Use Maplewood pilot program as data – they tracked mental health calls.
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Continue these conversations, individually and collectively. Share resources and individuals/groups who can challenge our thinking.
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Continue to share RCLLG’s strategic plan on mental health.
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Thank you to those who participated! |
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Climate, Health and Equity – How Is Your Community Planning? |
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Thursday, March 25 | 6:00 PM, CST
a FREE Webinar
Changing the Landscape of Land Use with:
Terri Thao – Program Director at Nexus Community Partners
Cameran Bailey – Senior Planner at the Met Council
Eric Weiss – Program Director at the Trust for Public Land
Mary Wynne – Moderator, Fusion Learning Partners
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A Resource to Support Your Community’s Planning:
Land Use On-Demand Sessions are now available!
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Check out our online library of on-demand sessions covering the most popular topics for those new to the field, looking for a refresher or looking to expand knowledge on a specific topic.
Watch anytime, from anywhere for a great value. Choose from individual breakout session(s), the main session “Planning & Zoning: The Essential Elements” or the All Access pass, which gives you full access to all the sessions.
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A grant program to make communities more livable for people of all ages with tangible improvements that jump-start long-term change.
AARP invites you to submit applications for quick-action projects that can help your community become more livable by improving public spaces, transportation, housing, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery, diversity and inclusion, and more.
Applications must be submitted through www.aarp.org/communitychallenge and are due by April 14, 2021, 8:00 p.m. ET. Projects must be completed by November 10, 2021.
AARP has committed at least $2M to the grants in 2021, even more than in previous years. Since 2017, the AARP Community Challenge has awarded 560 grants, including 13 for projects in Minnesota, that have demonstrated the program’s ability to:
- Leverage additional funds and support from public and private organizations;
- Advance change and overcome policy barriers; and
- Lead to new relationships, awareness and engagement.
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Thanks for reading our newsletters!
Make sure to follow RCLLG on Twitter!
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If you have any questions about RCLLG, your membership, or news listed above, please email [email protected].
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Please note that GTS Educational Events is now Fusion Learning Partners! Due to this name change, the RCLLG email address and website address have also changed.
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Visit the RCLLG website and follow us on social media! |
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