PURPOSE

The Ronald L Oliver Consulting site is designed with do two things in mind:

• Promote Youth Development, Mental Health Counseling
  and Developmental Disabilities Programming

  I've worked with several non-profit agencies in the fields of consulting, grant writing, program development and evaluation; I helped develop programs and wrote grants for youth development; I've done extensive research and writing in the field of mental health counseling; and I've written grants, did program evaluation and development work and wrote curriculum in the field of developmental disabilities programming.

   
• Reach out to others.

  Others may have similar interests and inclinations, or not, yet be willing to share at least some of what they've learned and know. In other words, I'm willing to share what I've been learning and doing for the chance to learn what others' are learning and doing. I want to explore different outlooks, horizons, possibilities.

BACKGROUND

For the past five years I've been living in Cali, Colombia in northern South America. Yet, I was born in Van Buren, Arkansas USA and grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Other states I've lived in the United States include: Texas, South Dakota, Washington, and Colorado.

I've worked as a Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor, Professor, Grant Writer, Program Manager/Case Manager, and Consultant in developmental disabilities. I have a longstanding interest in reading, history, art, music and writing. With age I'm more jaded, but I still find there is so much yet to learn, so much yet to see, and so many people yet to know. Hopefully this website will provide an introduction.

For about ten years I did research on the phenomenon of school bullying and published several journal articles and two books that summarized the conclusion. This past fall, i.e. October 2 - 4, I made two presentations on the subject at the at the 4th International Congress on Disabilities in Medellin, Colombia (see powerpoint presentations labeled: Basic Principles of Bullying Prevention. Medellin, and Improving School Climate. Medellin)

To give you an idea of what it looks like in Cali, I did a short powerpoint presentation for my granddaughter's third grade class (see Flat Stanley) that was using a travel-happy, imaginary figure, i.e. Flat Stanley, to explore the world around them.

BOOKS

1. The Bullying Prevention Handbook :
   A Guide for Principals, Teachers, and Counselors

   
   Published by Solution Tree Press, Bloomington, IN (2008)

   The Bullying Prevention Handbook : A Guide for Principals, Teachers, and Counselors is the 2nd edition of a comprehensive, step-by-step bullying intervention model for understanding, preventing, and reducing the day-to-day teasing and harassment attributed to bullying.

   New chapters focus on cyber-bullying; bullying of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students; and the importance of bringing a multicultural perspective to anti-bullying. Includes a CD with reproducible survey instruments, screening checklists, and handouts.

   Available through Solution Tree Press

      

2. Paths of Freedom:
   A New Vision of Psychotherapy
   and the Cultivation of the Human Spirit

   
   Published by Phanes Press 2002
   

   Paths of Freedom: A New Vision of Psychotherapy and the Cultivation of the Human Spirit seeks to unburden the provider as well as the seeker of psychotherapy and explores personal liberation from a society that would have its members exist in prescribed ways. Rather than abdicating freedom and authenticity through seeking a truth external to ourselves, we should engage with the whole of experience, fully awake and sensitive to all of life.

   Available through Amazon.com

          

3. The Book of Encouragement: Ways to Grow,
   A Guidebook for Persons
   with Developmental Disabilities

     Published by Lulu Press;

   The Book of Encouragement: Ways to Grow, A Guidebook for Persons with Developmental Disabilities is intended to serve as a guide and support for the process of self-determination for persons with developmental disabilities, their families, friends, and the support professionals with whom they may work. In supporting ways for developing increasing independent living skills, several series of progressive activities are detailed for cultivating a healthier lifestyle, learning to connect and build relationships with others and more fully to make one's community one's home.

   Available through Amazon.com

   Available through Lulu Press

          

4. If Dirt Could Talk

     Published by Lulu Press;

   If Dirt Could Talk is a collection of verses with children in mind were composed over a twenty year period. The verses vary from the whimsical to the reflective. Illustrations by the author are included.

   Available through Lulu Press

          

   ---

     Following : Curriculum Vitae