Monday, May 12, 2025,
8:00 AM
– Tuesday, May 13, 2025,
4:15 PM
French Lick Springs Resort 8670 West State Road 56 French Lick, IN 47432
Join us for IU Center for Rural Engagement's two-day conference focused on the issues of greatest importance to Indiana’s rural communities.
Connect with leaders from across Indiana, Indiana University researchers, and colleagues from a variety of fields as you learn and share your perspective on the opportunities and needs facing rural Indiana. The conference is designed for community leaders, residents, and professionals who seek to create a stronger Indiana.
Registration includes all sessions and materials. Join us for both days or a single day. Doors open at 8 a.m.; sessions begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4:15 p.m.
The full conference rate is $80 per person. The rate to attend for only one day is $50 per person. Scholarships are available; contact iucre@iu.edu for more information.
This morning session will bring all participants together for breakfast and opening remarks from Center for Rural Engagement interim executive director Denny Spinner. Keynote speaker Dr. Khaula Murtadha, associate vice provost for community engagement at Indiana University Indianapolis, will share insights on the transformative nature of university-community partnerships and the ways these engagements break down barriers.
These sessions have been approved for CEUs for CHES/MCHES through Prevention Insights at the Indiana University School of Public Health by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
Housing Navigation Services Training for Community Health Workers This session will explore the intersection of housing and health in rural Indiana, focusing on the development of training for Community Health Workers (CHWs) on housing navigation services. It will explore current efforts to address the lack of affordable housing and its impact on health outcomes, particularly in rural areas, and the crucial role of partnerships between housing and health advocates in addressing these challenges.
Presenters: Danielle Drew
Empowering Rural Women: Transformative SUD Treatment Through Collaboration This presentation highlights a groundbreaking model program designed to address the pressing need for increased access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in rural communities, with a special focus on women who have experienced trauma. By providing free treatment, housing, and supportive services, this program offers a holistic and transformative approach to care, empowering women to reclaim their lives. Presenters: Wendy Noe, Megan Durflauf
Mobile Integrated Health in Rural Indiana Kelly Russ, MPA, NRP, RN, CEMSO, PI, Chief of EMS for Putnam County and a triple Indiana University graduate, presents an insightful session on establishing Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) programs in rural communities. Drawing from her dual expertise as a registered nurse and EMS leader, Russ will share how she expanded her agency’s role to bridge healthcare gaps in underserved areas. This presentation will provide practical advocacy strategies, success stories, and actionable steps for developing MIH initiatives tailored to rural needs. Attendees will gain a clear roadmap to enhance healthcare access and improve outcomes in their own communities through innovative and collaborative approaches. Presenter: Kelly Russ
How Implementation Science Supports Community-Engaged Service and Research in Rural Schools At the conclusion of a four-year state personnel development grant, the team at the Indiana Center on Teacher Quality (ICTQ) at the Center on Education and Lifelong Learning at IU Bloomington have learned lessons about marrying a community-engaged framework for service and research with implementation science practices to ensure sustainability of the project in rural Indiana school districts. Implementation science practices can enhance CE frameworks for scaling and sustaining work after the research-practitioners and grant funding have gone. This session will include examples from the ICTQ project, which trained teachers in Universal Design for Learning. Presenter: Lucy Fischman
During lunch, we will connect with fellow conference participants in a conversation about collaborations between IU, rural communities, and regional and statewide organizations for a brighter rural future. Dr. Priscilla Barnes, School of Public Health-Bloomington, will facilitate the discussion through an asset-based, appreciative inquiry lens.
These sessions have been approved for CEUs for CHES/MCHES through Prevention Insights at the Indiana University School of Public Health by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
Building Resilient Futures: A Teen Panel on Rural Resilience and Mental Health The COVID-19 pandemic amplified a growing youth mental health crisis, with rural communities facing unique challenges, often due to limited resources. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death for youth aged 12-17, and emergency visits for mental health crises have surged. The Bring Change to Mind (BC2M) Youth Program empowers teens and tweens through peer-led advocacy and education, creating a culture of support in schools and communities. In this session, BC2M students from Indiana's rural communities will share their experiences addressing stigma, fostering resilience, and raising mental health awareness. Presenters: Annie Cole, youth panel
Food as Medicine in Greene County, IN This session will highlight the Food-as-Medicine (FAM) program implemented in Greene County, focusing on both the successes and challenges of integrating FAM in a rural context. The session will provide an opportunity for collaborative discussion on strategies to expand and enhance FAM initiatives across rural Indiana. Key insights will be shared regarding the program’s development, outcomes, and lessons learned. Presenters: Cally Drake, Shari Lewis
Enhancing Provider Knowledge to Advance Veteran Quality of Life Indiana is home to more than 385,000 veterans, making it among the top 20 states in the U.S. for the largest veteran population. Yet, many providers have inadequate training regarding veteran experiences and needs. By pairing academic content with personal narratives, the Veteran Trauma and Transparency Program addresses this gap among IU students. This four-part interprofessional series illuminates the military experience, from boot camp to reintegration in civilian life. This presentation will engage attendees in an overview of the training and its impact, journey through individual military experiences, and identify and describe the networks of support available to veterans and their families. Presenters: John M. Keesler, Todd Burkhardt, Alex Buchanan, Gabriela Diaz
Tobacco Treatment Workshop: The Latest in Nicotine Cessation Learn best practices in helping people quit smoking and vaping. Discuss differences and similarities in strategies to promote quitting cigarette smoking versus vaping along with the pros and cons of a harm reduction approach. Presenter: Jon Macy
These sessions have been approved for CEUs for CHES/MCHES through Prevention Insights at the Indiana University School of Public Health by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
Supporting Families, Nurturing Futures: Perinatal Mental Health Programs for Communities and Providers Indiana ranks third in maternal mortality rates in the U.S., driven by inadequate maternal healthcare and mental health services. A collaboration between Purdue Extension, the Purdue School of Nursing, Postpartum Support International, and the DeKalb County Health Department has secured grant funding to develop a dual-track perinatal mental health curriculum for Indiana communities and healthcare providers. This session will explore the impact of perinatal mental health in rural areas, where care access is limited, and highlight the role of Purdue Extension educators in raising awareness of resources like Postpartum Support International to support families across the state. Presenter: Angela Sorg
Serving with Integrity: Multiculturalism in Rural Helping Professions This interactive session will explore multiculturalism as a core ethical practice in the helping professions, particularly in rural settings. Participants will engage in guided small-group discussions to examine the intersection of cultural competence, ethical decision-making, and the unique challenges faced in serving diverse populations. The session will provide practical tools and strategies for applying multicultural principles to enhance equity and inclusivity in rural communities. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how prioritizing multiculturalism not only fulfills ethical obligations but also strengthens the resilience and well-being of marginalized and vulnerable populations. Presenter: Patrick Ripberger
Building Stronger Communities: Partnering with Indiana University for Innovation and Impact Do you want to start or strengthen your organization’s partnership with Indiana University? This session will introduce participants to opportunities to work with IU faculty, staff, and students to advance community-identified priorities. Panelists represent IU’s flagship community engagement initiatives that partner to build community capacity in information technology, internship and employee recruitment, health, resilience, and quality of place. Panelists: Colleen Rose, Mylan Gaston, Rachel Gerber, Reagan Lewis, Una Thacker
Tobacco Treatment Workshop: Lessons Learned from Tobacco Treatment Programs in Rural Indiana Join professionals delivering tobacco treatment programs to share success stories and challenges and learn from others working towards the same goal in rural communities in Indiana. This will be an opportunity to network and gather new strategies for reenergizing smoking cessation efforts. Presenter: Jon Macy
Learn more about many rural initiatives, talk with poster presenters, and network with conference attendees.
Posters:
The Hollow Block Monster: Storytelling and Community in Portland, Indiana Gwyneth R. Harris
What is Rural America for a Haitian migrant? Websder Corneille
The Accountability Framework: Elevating Tech Health Equity in Rural Communities Jennifer Staats
Building Partnerships and Trust: A Student's Perspective on Creating a CHNA and CHIP in Brown County Shreya Pandit
Conducting a Highway Corridor Economic Plan Mitchell Berg
Reframing the what to your why! Lisa M. Hall
Sustainability of a Southern Indiana Rural School Health Promotion Project Kim A. Decker, Catherine M. Sherwood-Laughlin, Sai S. Paruchuri
Nursing in Action: Early Intervention Through Service Learning and Diabetes Screening Samantha Korak Eads, Britney Arce
Creative Placemaking in Rural Indiana: Rural Placemaking Studio 2024 Sara Marshall
Expanding Education Opportunities through Indiana Online Amy Jones
Rural Scholars Shreya Pandit, Jamarra Williams, Sofia Frazee, Allison Stamper, Jonah Ballard, and Olivia Novak
Human Trafficking Meagan Cunningham
Building Resilience and Health Equity: Collaborative Approaches in Orange County and Beyond Kara Schmidt, Jamie Walker
Creative Arts for Vets Molly Marcuson
Mapping Trends and Relationships in Rural Health and Newcomer Integration Using VOSviewer Hossein Mousazedeh
Connect with the IU Center for Rural Engagement staff and fellow conference attendees.
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Embracing Eros: How Artists Help Us Fall in Love (With Rural Places) This morning session will bring all participants together for breakfast and a keynote speech from Ash Hanson, a social practice and theater artist and Creative Executive Officer of the Department of Public Transformation. Hanson will discuss how artists and cultural workers can help residents connect more deeply to their communities through creativity, joy, and play. Hanson will explore how celebrating rural communities' uniqueness can foster new ideas and energy, ultimately redefining rural America as thriving centers of civic, social, and cultural action.
From Scarcity to Abundance — Developing Your Rural Community Through Local Connectivity and Investment What if you already have what you need to improve your rural community? This session will explore how changing your mindset and engaging your social networks can result in investments in public space, giving a new lease on your community's life. We'll share how the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority's CreatINg Places funding program aims to build vibrant spaces by tapping into existing physical and financial assets. We'll share how crowdfunding is providing new opportunities for community engagement, connection, and inspiring change. You'll even have an example of how the IU CRE's Placemaking Studio can help create a new vision for your public space. Presenters: Meagan Heber, Bridget Anderson, Brian Smith
Planning for, Responding to, and Recovering from Disasters for Small Businesses and Non-Profits Tornados, floods, power outages, long-term or sudden medical issues of key personnel — all things we don't normally like to think about but can have significant impacts on your organization. In this session, participants will walk through the process of determining what types of emergencies their organization could encounter and what resources may be available to assist them in responding to and recovering from a disaster. Participants will receive a process outline, templates for plans, and access to experienced professionals to help guide their work. Join us to explore some ways to integrate resiliency and adaptability into your small business or non-profit. Presenters: John Summerlot, Amanda Roach
Empowering Resilience: Building Stronger Communities through Purdue Extension's Leadership Program Purdue Extension’s Community Leadership Program (CLP) is a leadership training program in Indiana for people who want to make a difference in their communities, playing a crucial role in strengthening community resilience by empowering individuals to lead, adapt, and unite in the face of adversity and crises. This breakout session will include an overview of the Purdue Extension CLP, featuring a panel of program graduates from the Indiana Uplands sharing their experiences and insights into building resilient communities. Presenters: Cindy Barber, Tanya Hall
Revitalizing Rural Communities with Shellie Phelps Whitfield Join Shellie Phelps Whitfield, executive director of the Wetumpka, Alabama Chamber of Commerce and HGTV Home Town Takeover featured community partner, for an engaging and interactive discussion about the ways the arts and storytelling lead to rural vitality. With a background in arts education and marketing, Shellie facilitates positive change in communities across the country. Presenter:Shellie Phelps Whitfield
Rural organizing and resilience in the face of disaster
Rural Organizing and Resilience (ROAR) formed in Madison County, North Carolina in the Spring of 2017 in response to the need for a rural voice working for all who call these mountains home. During a lunch panel discussion, members of ROAR will discuss ways the organization addressed emergent needs during the catastrophic Hurricane Helene flooding in North Carolina. The ROAR community grew rapidly in response to the massive extent of collective need but also as participants in the disaster relief network experienced the feeling of empowerment that emerges when we see what local communities can do together when there is an absence of institutional support. The panel will share experiences and lessons learned from the immediate response to the storm and from our years of experience working to create dynamic communal responsibility as we face the storms yet to come.
Presenters: Woen Giffen, Janet Kent, and Pip Rooney
Preparation for the New Tourism Economy Along the Monon South Trail Radius Indiana is leading the development of a new long-distance trail in southern Indiana and is treating the trail as an economic development asset for rural communities that sit astride the corridor. This session will explore mechanisms that can help communities restore economic activity through development of unique tourism assets. Presenters: Sadie Miskuf, Jeff Quyle
Showing Resiliency: How a Rural School District Partnered with IU Southeast and Community Stakeholders to Meet the Needs of a Changing Community As the migrant population in the rural community of Seymour, Indiana, has grown exponentially, the community has shown resiliency amid shifting demographics. Partnerships with local businesses, social service organizations, local chambers of commerce, and higher education institutions have elevated opportunities for the community. Since 2019, IU Southeast and Seymour Community Schools have partnered to ensure that educators can meet the needs of all students, specifically in the areas of second-language acquisition and cultural and community awareness. This session will offer examples of how the Seymour community has collaborated with community stakeholders and IU Southeast to address the shifting needs of the growing migrant population. Presenters: Kelli Bernedo, Dr. Jose Martinez Molinero
Tackling Education and Workforce Challenges to Drive Transformational Change The Lawrence County Economic Growth Council and Grow Lawrence County has holistically created a system where local employers, community leaders, and educators have tackled one of our community's most pressing challenges: a growing gap between employee skills and workforce needs. In partnership with the judicial system, we are eliminating barriers to underserved populations through innovative training programs. Hear amazing stories about participant successes, employer partnerships, and the financial impact it has had on Lawrence County with lower recidivism rates and reduced jail population. Presenter: Joe Timbrook, Jennifer Jones, and Cathy Bullington
Activating Rural Futures: Creative Strategies for Placemaking, Community Engagement, and Resilient Growth In this interactive breakout session, we will explore how artist-led community engagement can be utilized as a powerful tool to activate, support, nurture, and amplify rural communities. Drawing on her experiences with the Department of Public Transformation (DoPT), Ash Hanson will share proven strategies for transforming rural spaces and strengthening community connection in order to work toward more sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant rural futures. Whether you're an artist, rural leader, or community builder, this session will provide the tools and inspiration to use creative placemaking as a catalyst for growth, helping rural areas thrive and attract new opportunities for connection, investment, and resilience. Presenter: Ash Hanson, Nicole Vasconi
Mingle, connect, and indulge your taste buds at a popcorn bar catered by local favorite Jasper Popcorn. Sample from one of these 10 locally crafted flavors:
Butter
Caramel
Kettle corn
Cinnamon French toast
Dill Pickle
Hoosier Pop (caramel, cheddar, and white cheddar mix)
Ranch
Bacon cheddar
Strawberry cheesecake
Vanilla caramel
Storytelling in a Small Town: Showcasing Social Capital for Economic Development In the rural Midwest, tourism is turning to more experience-based excursions, and entities are evaluating local quality of life when deciding where to establish their businesses. Our communities can greatly benefit from showcasing their residents, non-profit organizations, and clubs as direct sources of unique experience and a unique quality of life based on belonging, solidarity, pride, and engagement. This session equips attendees with actionable insights to better support Indiana’s rural populations, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, such as refugees, migrants, and racial or ethnic minorities. Presenter: Stacey Von Busch
Indiana Resilience Funding Hub: Our Works So Far and Looking Forward In 2024, the Indiana Resilience Funding Hub presented our work helping rural Hoosier communities gain access to federal funds made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Act. This presentation will provide updates on our work in 2025 and lay out our plans for continuing to seek funding and support for rural resilience in Indiana in the context of changing federal funding priorities. Presenters: Nicholas Smaligo, Cate Racek
Rural Libraries: Building Resilient Communities and Bridging Critical Gaps This session will examine the vital role of rural libraries in fostering community resilience and addressing access gaps for marginalized populations. In Indiana, 6 percent of residents, mostly in rural areas, lack full library access, which impacts mental health, education, and economic development. Libraries act as "one-stop shops," providing resources like literacy programs, STEM education, and Wi-Fi hotspots to bridge the digital divide. The session highlights libraries' contributions to disaster recovery and support for migrants and refugees through cultural programming and language tools. Attendees will explore innovative strategies to strengthen rural libraries as essential hubs for underserved communities. Presenters: Teresa Heidenreich, Rick Chambon
Building Partnerships and Programming that Embrace Immigrants and English Language Learners to Strengthen Communities Communities must cultivate cultural cohesion to be strong and resilient. Rapidly changing demographics in rural Indiana can cause immigrants and long-term residents to feel uncertain and unprepared for the future. By listening to the needs of stakeholders and making connections between organizations, communities can develop approaches to strengthen the roles of all involved. Communities facing demographic change have assets that can be building blocks for stronger educational, economic, and social development. This session will provide examples of programming that starts with education as the common ground for growth and suggestions for expanding the work of cultural cohesion. Presenters: Donna Albrecht, Jessica Marquez
As an institution of higher education, Indiana University encourages and supports the exchange of ideas and academic freedom and regularly invites speakers from diverse perspectives to our campuses. Indiana University does not limit speakers or visitors to the university on the basis of their points of view or beliefs. An invitation to speak does not constitute the university’s or the internal sponsor’s endorsement of the speaker’s views or opinions.
The conference schedule and sessions are subject to change.
Accommodations
Make reservations for rooms in the discounted block at French Lick Springs Resort with group code 0525TOI and password 0525TOI or by calling 844-241-6361 and using code 0525TOI. Special rates are guaranteed through April 10, 2025.
Things to do
French Lick has a wealth of activities and dining experiences. Check out theVisit French Lick websiteto see what's happening during your visit.
