Wed, 27 May 2026 12:37:47 -0400 http://aiu3.net/opendoors en-us © 2026 Open Doors yes f8e01ed5-1a13-5c36-bff5-a6259df060ee emily.wiley@aiu3.net Allegheny Intermediate Unit episodic false Welcome to Open Doors, a podcast from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit that explores the people, programs, and partnerships making a difference in students' lives. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) education, mental health, pittsburgh, allegheny county Allegheny Intermediate Unit emily.wiley@aiu3.net https://storage.buzzsprout.com/n9nztbzl7qta8919h5164s9lp6xi?.jpg http://aiu3.net/opendoors Community on Wheels What if a van could change the way schools connect with families? At Highlands School District, the Rams Van is doing just that. Funded by Project SEEKS SES, this mobile resource center brings books, supplies, tech support, and wellness checks directly to families — breaking down transportation barriers, building trust, and strengthening the school–community bond. In this episode, attendance officer Carmen Corner shares how the Rams Van is meeting families where they are and opening doors to learning, stability, and support. 

]]> What if a van could change the way schools connect with families? At Highlands School District, the Rams Van is doing just that. Funded by Project SEEKS SES, this mobile resource center brings books, supplies, tech support, and wellness checks directly to families — breaking down transportation barriers, building trust, and strengthening the school–community bond. In this episode, attendance officer Carmen Corner shares how the Rams Van is meeting families where they are and opening doors to learning, stability, and support. 

]]> Allegheny Intermediate Unit Buzzsprout-19249082 Wed, 27 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400 1141 1 6 full false Stop the Judgment After losing their daughter Sienna, Sherry Jo Matt and Tom Bott turned their grief into action, creating the Stop the Judgment Project to help students break stigma, build empathy, and start honest conversations about mental health and substance use. Join us for this powerful conversation about compassion, connection, and creating safer spaces for young people to be supported.

]]> After losing their daughter Sienna, Sherry Jo Matt and Tom Bott turned their grief into action, creating the Stop the Judgment Project to help students break stigma, build empathy, and start honest conversations about mental health and substance use. Join us for this powerful conversation about compassion, connection, and creating safer spaces for young people to be supported.

]]> Allegheny Intermediate Unit Buzzsprout-18630676 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500 1845 1 5 full false Transforming Teen Mental Health Teen mental health in the U.S. is in crisis — and the time for change is now. In this episode, Sarah Pesi, a policy specialist at the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, discusses how Pennsylvania is reimagining mental health support by empowering young voices. Sarah is joined by youth advocates Joy and Aanya, who share their own experiences and the hope they’re building for the next generation.

]]> Teen mental health in the U.S. is in crisis — and the time for change is now. In this episode, Sarah Pesi, a policy specialist at the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, discusses how Pennsylvania is reimagining mental health support by empowering young voices. Sarah is joined by youth advocates Joy and Aanya, who share their own experiences and the hope they’re building for the next generation.

]]> Allegheny Intermediate Unit Buzzsprout-18381130 Fri, 19 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500 2013 1 3 full false Mindfulness in Motion What if wellness spaces truly welcomed everyone? For nearly a decade, Marissa Vogel has been helping make that possible in Pittsburgh — teaching mindfulness through movement and art while centering people living with disabilities. Marissa and her team are building spaces where people feel seen, celebrated, and supported. In this episode, she shares why belonging should never be out of reach.

]]> What if wellness spaces truly welcomed everyone? For nearly a decade, Marissa Vogel has been helping make that possible in Pittsburgh — teaching mindfulness through movement and art while centering people living with disabilities. Marissa and her team are building spaces where people feel seen, celebrated, and supported. In this episode, she shares why belonging should never be out of reach.

]]> Allegheny Intermediate Unit Buzzsprout-18381307 Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0500 1019 1 4 full false The SEL Movement Dr. Shannon Wanless from the University of Pittsburgh is helping lead a countywide movement to make social-emotional learning everyone’s responsibility. In this episode, she shares how supporting the adults who care for kids is key to building belonging and creating a system of support for every child.

]]> Dr. Shannon Wanless from the University of Pittsburgh is helping lead a countywide movement to make social-emotional learning everyone’s responsibility. In this episode, she shares how supporting the adults who care for kids is key to building belonging and creating a system of support for every child.

]]> Emily Wiley Buzzsprout-18301114 Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:00:00 -0500 1688 1 2 full false Beyond Public Health The Allegheny County Health Department is going beyond traditional public health — helping shape the future of our schools and communities. In the inaugural episode of Open Doors, Kim Joyce shares how a powerful partnership with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit is strengthening mental health supports and changing what's possible for students across the county.

]]> The Allegheny County Health Department is going beyond traditional public health — helping shape the future of our schools and communities. In the inaugural episode of Open Doors, Kim Joyce shares how a powerful partnership with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit is strengthening mental health supports and changing what's possible for students across the county.

]]> Emily Wiley Buzzsprout-18152477 Fri, 07 Nov 2025 16:00:00 -0500 1138 1 1 full false