WPS, Mental Health, Black History, More...

February 2022

A Message from the Director

Misty Brucker

Director, Public Policy & Management Center

This is the final dysfunction in my Ultimate Team series! This recap of Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team has been a great reminder for me (and Team PPMC) to remember what kind of organizational culture we want to cultivate. We want to create a place where the work we do and the people who do it are thriving.

I’m excited to discuss our final dysfunction. When teams are not on the same page regarding their end goal, it leads to an inattention to results. Instead of focusing on team success, members get caught up in only their specific area...

Read Misty's Blog

Upcoming Events

PPMC Updates

Projects & Initiatives

Monthly Mission Moment | Check out the latest series on social media to learn more about why Team PPMC loves public service!

Mental Health & Substance Abuse Coalition | Check out the 2022 Legislative Policy Priorities document from the MHSA Coalition. The Coalition joined together with Sedgwick County and the City of Wichita for an en banc meeting to address the issue in our community.

Recovery Connect: COVID-19 Economic Recovery Program | Read more below about this Sedgwick County Community Initiative that the PPMC is coordinating!

Happy Valentine's Day | We ♥️ YOU, our clients, partners, neighbors, family, and friends!

Celebrating & Acknowledging Black History | Keep scrolling to see some articles we've been intrigued by this Black History Month.

The PPMC is now leading a major community initiative with Sedgwick County!

Recovery Connect is a Sedgwick County economic recovery program that connects individuals, nonprofits, and small businesses with resources to help them recover from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This program uses a grassroots hub-and-spoke model of community partners to reach underserved populations.

If you need help connecting with resources, or want to help the PPMC with this initiative, visit www.Recovery-Connect.org or email kelli.reid@wichita.edu.

Follow Recovery Connect! Facebook | Twitter | Web

Celebrating & Acknowledging Black History

The following articles range in perspective. These are articles we loved or learned from, they are local and national, or they've made us think or provoked discussion. What did you learn this Black History Month? We'd love for you to share with us!

Students took a lead role in Dockum lunch counter sit-in in summer of 1958 by Paul Suellentrop, Wichita State

The 1958 protest returned to the spotlight in 2021 with coverage from NBC's morning show, hosted by Wichita native Sheinelle Jones.
The sit-in is recognized as the one of the leading events of the Civil Rights Movement and the first of its kind led by students.

Here's the story behind Black History Month — and why it's celebrated in February by Jonathan Franklin, NPR

Originally Negro History Week, the purpose of the celebration was to widen Americans' awareness through teaching Black history in public schools.
February was chosen as the month to celebrate because it is the month Abraham Lincoln's and Frederick Douglass's birthdays.

Black History Month 2022 Theme: Black Health and Wellness by The Association for the Study of African American Life and History

Due to discrimination in many major providers or institutions, Black people have historically relied on mutual aid and cooperation to receive cutting-edge healthcare.
There is now more representation in healthcare and programming (even children's programming like Doc McStuffins), but there is still more progress to be made.

Read More from the PPMC Blog

The Ultimate Team: Results

by Misty Bruckner

Meet the Team: Dawn Shepler

by PPMC

Dawn Shepler joins Team PPMC as a Program Manager leading the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coalition. Learn more about our newest team member!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: We Remain Committed.

Update on the Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice (CREJ)

Created: June 24, 2020
Purpose: Study “issues of racial equity and justice across systems in Kansas”
First Priority: policing and law enforcement

Some key areas of the 2021 recommendations:

Universal Equity Policies
Maximizing Federal Funding
Housing and Homelessness
Juvenile Justice System
Maternal and Child Health
Vaccine Equity

Learn more and read the full report by visiting Larry's Blog. Reach out if you want to discuss issues of racial equity, justice, and diversity and inclusion!