Topic: How Teachers and Parents Can Maximize the K-12 Learning Experience During a Pandemic Presenter: Dr. Yen Verhoeven, Founder of QI Learning Research Group Dr. Verhoeven is a learning theorist, STEM educator, and certified in online instructional design and program evaluation. Since 2018, Qi Learning has taught over 6,800 teachers in the U.S. and around the world using their instructional methodologies for STEM, 21st century skills, and distance learning. Since the pandemic, Qi Learning has moved toward supporting elementary teachers with courses geared toward effective distance learning practices and instruction. During this session, Dr. Verhoeven will provide practical guidance and tools for teachers and parents to maximize both in-person and distance learning for our youth during this environment of change and uncertainty. ... read more

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COVID-19 has impacted organizations across the country, including here in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Join us to hear from Ruth Haus, President of Living History Farms, about the impact COVID-19 had on the organization, what it took to restart and what changes have been implemented. Haus will share what is available now and going forward at Living History Farms. The Greater Des Moines Partnership has published a compilation of DSM Forward industry playbooks and business function playbooks to help businesses and industries prepare for the next steps related to economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic when the time is right. In alignment with the DSM Forward initiative, we are hosting a series of DSM Forward webinars to help leaders in each industry connect, share and exchange information and resources related to moving forward into this next phase of reopening. The event will take place on Thursday, August 20 at 12:15 p.m. via Zoom meeting. ... read more

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The future of property development, along with many other norms, is pivoting in light of COVID-19. Kris Saddoris, Vice President of Development for Hubbell Realty Company, will present on property development changes for Greater Des Moines (DSM). Join us us to hear about the exciting development projects currently underway and learn more about the future growth for our region. The Greater Des Moines Partnership has published a compilation of DSM Forward industry playbooks and business function playbooks to help businesses and industries prepare for the next steps related to economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic when the time is right. In alignment with the DSM Forward initiative, we are hosting a series of DSM Forward webinars to help leaders in each industry connect, share and exchange information and resources related to moving forward into this next phase of reopening. The event will take place on Wednesday, September 9 at 12:15 p.m. via Zoom meeting. ... read more

6 Weeks of Make It OK: Week 3 ? Make It OK at Work: Join us for a panel discussion on mental health and well-being in the workplace and what it might mean to ?Make It OK? at work. You?ll hear from a regional Business leader, the SVP of a large bank, and a small business owner. We?ll have 45 minutes of discussion and 15 minutes for open Q&A. This session is free to attend. Register at the link! September 10: Week 3: Businessperson/people who talks about experience with health/well-being/wellness Rae Shanahan, Chief Strategy Officer at Businesssolver Annie Brandt, SVP/Iowa Market Manager at Bank of America Keesha Ward, Assistant Director of University Advancement & Alumni Relations at Drake University and small biz owner Thai Luong, Owner at Grand Consulting Emily Kessinger (moderator) ... read more

Quit monkeying around! Join The Partnership to learn how the Blank Park Zoo will share logistics related to the COVID-19 impact on the zoo, how they are protecting the animals and discuss their plans to move forward into winter. There will also be a special guest appearance! Presenters include: Anne Shimerdla, Blank Park Zoo Amanda Nuzum, Blank Park Zoo ... read more

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The Make It OK campaign in Iowa, led by the Healthiest State Initiative is hosting a six-week virtual mental health series, in tandem with the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Capital Crossroads, titled ?6 Weeks of Make It OK.? 6 Weeks of Make It OK: Week 4 ? Make It OK with One Economy: Join us for a panel discussion on mental health in the Black community and its relation to the work and data within the One Economy Report. You?ll hear from several community leaders as they share their lived experiences and information related to mental health and well-being. We?ll have 45 minutes of discussion and 15 minutes for open Q&A. This session is free to attend. Register at the link! Special thanks to the One Economy team for their support of this series. September 17: Week 4: panel of community leaders working with OneEconomy to tell their personal stories of mental health/well-being (OneEconomy Health subcommittee) Jacquie Easley, Director of Health Equity at MercyOne Janice Lane Schroeder, CEO of Children?s and Families of Iowa Breanne Ward, licensed therapist Johnathan Whitfield, Senior Pastor at Corinthian Baptist Church The goal of ?6 Weeks of Make It OK? is to have conversations around mental health that look at how we cope with our own well-being. Collective and individual mental health is fundamental to how we think, work, and interact with our families, friends, colleagues and greater community. We?ll hear stories from community members and discuss ideas for taking care of our own mental health (or the mental health of others). This will be a mix of panel and speaker led sessions, with time at the end for Q&A. Additional resources will also be shared at the end of each session. About Make It OK: Make It OK is national campaign to reduce stigma by starting conversations and increasing understanding about mental illness. The campaign was created and launched by HealthPartners in Minnesota in 2012 before being introduced to Iowa in May 2019. Since then, the Make It OK message already reached more than 2,000 Iowans through formal presentations and 165 Make It OK Ambassadors have been trained. Led by Make It OK, this 6-week series is supported by Capital Crossroads, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Mid-Iowa Health, and the Business Record. ... read more

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The Make It OK campaign in Iowa, led by the Healthiest State Initiative is hosting a six-week virtual mental health series, in tandem with the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Capital Crossroads, titled ?6 Weeks of Make It OK.? 6 Weeks of Make It OK: Week 5 ? The Arts & Make It OK: Join as we explore the creative arts and our mental health. We?ll discuss the arts and how creative expression can lead to overall greater wellness and stress reduction. We?ll have 45 minutes for discussion, with 15 minutes for open Q&A. This session is free to attend. Register at the link! September 24: Week 5: we will explore creativity and mental health and discuss the arts & their connection to overall stress reduction Monica Amman, photographer and education Christine Her, Executive Director at ArtForce Iowa and musician Mat Greiner, Group Creative TBD The goal of ?6 Weeks of Make It OK? is to have conversations around mental health that look at how we cope with our own well-being. Collective and individual mental health is fundamental to how we think, work, and interact with our families, friends, colleagues and greater community. We?ll hear stories from community members and discuss ideas for taking care of our own mental health (or the mental health of others). This will be a mix of panel and speaker led sessions, with time at the end for Q&A. Additional resources will also be shared at the end of each session. About Make It OK: Make It OK is national campaign to reduce stigma by starting conversations and increasing understanding about mental illness. The campaign was created and launched by HealthPartners in Minnesota in 2012 before being introduced to Iowa in May 2019. Since then, the Make It OK message already reached more than 2,000 Iowans through formal presentations and 165 Make It OK Ambassadors have been trained. Led by Make It OK, this 6-week series is supported by Capital Crossroads, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Mid-Iowa Health, and the Business Record. ... read more

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