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Making sense out of the goings-on around us has never been easy. I’m puzzled by the robin that keeps flying against the glass of my big living room window, over and over again. My recent venture onto Facebook has left me pondering the real value and deeper meaning of social networking. I’m not sure Tweeting will ever be for me. But I’m not that confused about what is happening all around us when faced with the statewide, national, and international “choking” response to the housing, financial, and other economic challenges. Yes, they are serious. But do we really need to stop what we’re doing and wait for someone else to make the first move? I find that frustrating and counterproductive.

At SPPG we insist on forging ahead. As policy strains to best address these new challenges, we think it’s important to be thinking about what is needed now and when the turnaround occurs. That is why we continue to work on such issues as peer support training with adults with mental illness. In changing health care systems, the recognition of peer counseling is a significant mark of progress. SPPG, in the fourth year of development and support of the peer network, continues to adapt the activities as the network gains strength.

We think it’s OK to apply some pressure and expect outstanding results from our systems during difficult times. There is lots of talk about infrastructure and quick turnaround of those projects, and these efforts are important and helpful across the nation. Yet, when the short term ends, we need to know our long-term priorities for gaining a competitive advantage and strategically growing our infrastructure – and already be acting on them. SPPG has been working toward that longer-term look at infrastructure needs, and will continue to bring the folks together to join the discussion.

In our 26th year of business, I’m hoping we are a bit wiser than that robin. After banging our heads against the glass a few times, we do adapt and go in another, hopefully more productive direction. We are not holding our breath while the economy heals itself; instead we are pressing ahead , continuing to manage the change around us.

Arlinda McKeen
President

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Contact

State Public Policy Group, Inc.
200 10th Street, 5th Floor
Des Moines, Iowa 50309 USA
 
Phone (515) 243-2000
Fax (515) 243-5941
Email sppg@sppg.com
 
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