VCPI appoints inaugural Policy & Programming Fellow
The Vermont Cooperative for Practice Improvement & Innovation, an affiliate of Northern Vermont University, is pleased to announce the appointment of Max Burns as the organization’s inaugural Policy and Programming Fellow for 2022. Founded in 2013, VCPI is focused on practice improvement and training, consulting around workforce development, and piloting innovative projects designed to positively impact the state’s system of mental health care.
“Max initially consulted with us on a design and accessibility project - it quickly became clear how much their insight about user experience could positively impact our overall mission,” said Alex Lehning, VCPI’s Executive Director. “Given all the challenges we are currently facing, I could not think of a better partner to help the Cooperative address important policy issues and programming needs across the systems and spectrum of mental health care in Vermont.”
Burns has extensive experience working with nonprofits through their business, Max Burns UX, which they founded in 2018. As web designer and UX researcher, Burns specializes in working with nonprofits and small businesses to help them identify and highlight their core values through user-friendly websites. Burns creates mission-driven websites that ensure accessibility for users and increase revenue for clients. They hold an MLIS in Library and Information Science and an MS in User Experience Design from Kent State University. A member of the LGBTQIA community, Max brings to this role a commitment to mindfulness and community care. They have practiced Buddhist meditation since 2015 and yoga since 2007.
As Policy and Programming Fellow at VCPI, Burns will be researching best practices for tobacco reduction and creating resources and curricula for NVU graduate students in mental health programs. With funding from the Vermont Department of Health and using a harm reduction lens, they will also work with Vermont Department of Mental Health agencies to increase knowledge of and access to evidence-based reduction support services, with the end goal of improving state policy around tobacco reduction.
You can learn more about Burns and their business at MaxBurnsUX.com