Mid-america Prevention Technology Transfer Center

Colber Prosper a global advocate dedicated to advancing service-providing institutions through strategic planning, organizational leadership, and equity and inclusion. Passionate about democratic engagement, he has written on the decline of political involvement among college students. He teaches political science and ethics and, in his 2018 book No Entry: Examining the Power that Undermines our Full Potential, explores how political power perpetuates inequities. Ten years ago, he founded Prosper & Partners with the vision of helping people collaborate more effectively.   https://www.linkedin.com/in/colber-prosper-m-s-bb494033/ https://www.instagram.com/prospercolber/  https://www.facebook.com/colber.prosper   The funder of this project, along with all other products of the Mid-America PTTC is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although funded by SAMHSA, the content of this recording does not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA. Creating a Healthier Life: a guide pu

My Guest on this episode is Stephanie Ahles the Co-Founder and CEO of EmpoweringYOU. She is an expert in effectively leading and managing organizations with a facilitative leadership style that prioritizes collaboration and inclusivity. Stephanie's expertise extends to participatory engagement methods and is certified as a Technology of Participation (ToP)® facilitator and mentor trainer. With over 20 years of experience in County government, Stephanie specializes in leadership and organizational development, change and project management, along with strategic planning.    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.ahles  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-ahles-68528b41/  SAMHSA Guide: https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/ebp/community-engagement-essential-component-substance-use-prevention-system Blog: https://nashp.org/engaging-with-people-with-lived-experience-in-opioid-settlement-decision-making/  

My Guest in this episode is Georgina Lafoe who is on staff at the Community Engagement Institute at Wichita State University and represents their Prevention Initiatives. Her story begins as a drug endangered child but today her life is thriving and demonstrates resiliency. She loves to build relationships with people who love to help people. Outside of CEI, Georgina enjoys traveling and visiting new cultures and cities. She adores her two nephews and spending time watching them encounter this world as new. Georgina also loves a good movie every now and then (preferably scary).

Greg Puckett a native southern West Virginian with a passion for prevention. He has worked tirelessly to bring special projects and initiatives to his community. He led the charge to support funding for Teen Courts throughout West Virginia, serves on several state committees and on the Board of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), where he is a past recipient of CADCA’s National Advocate of the Year award. For the past decade, he has traveled throughout the United States to train communities on sustainability, and locally has worked to revitalize his hometown of Princeton, West Virginia. Through the “Princeton Renaissance Project” the group has been actively using culturally effective change strategies to revitalize its local downtown theater. The project is also a community engine to reduce substance misuse, reinvigorate hope in its young people, and engage the future, while embracing its past. He is the father of two children, Lauren, and Joseph, who keep him dedicated to making positiv

 My Guest today is Kendra Tapie, who serves as the Region Director of Prevention at Serenity Foundation of Texas, managing 3 prevention campuses in Abilene, Wichita Falls and Weatherford. Kendra is passionate about training and using her experience to equip, refresh and encourage others to be more effective in the Prevention field. Kendra helped form a Teen Recovery Group for students under the age of 18 and is a part of the Texas training cadre with the Human Health Service Commission. She has a degree in public speaking and master’s in counseling and human development and is an Advanced Certified Prevention Specialist. In 2023 Kendra was recognized as the Texas Prevention Specialist of the Year.      Email: kendra@serenitytexas.com      Website: https://serenitytexas.com/      https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-transformational-leadership-2795313     https://youtu.be/c8ZCBZ_xDXU?feature=shared

Elliott Orrin Hinkle, they/them, BS - Principal and Founder of Unicorn Solutions LLC. Elliott is a skilled speaker, facilitator, advisor, and national expert focused on elevating lived expertise in systems that serve children, youth, and families particularly in support of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. They bring 12+ years lived and professional experience on topics such as child welfare, youth mental health, and the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Elliott has lived experience in the Wyoming Foster Care System as a young person but calls Oregon home. This is their 3rd year as a Federal Lived Experience Expert Partner for the Equity Technical Assistance Center (ETAC). Elliott has worked on the Children's Bureau Capacity Building Center for States Project and Division X TA Project at ICF and the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Reviews via JBS International, and Oregon Healthy Transitions Project at Portland State University, a SAMHSA grant. Passionate about wellbeing and accessibility, they are a recipient of t

Vida Khavar is  a licensed Marriage and Family therapist who has 25+ years’ experience in child welfare. She has assisted many organizations in developing programs that serve children and families. Vida was a consultant for the federal project: RISE, which aimed at improving the lives of LGBTQ+ youth in foster care in Los Angeles County. She is currently the Clinical Director at Family Builders. As such, she collaborates with the California Department of Social Services in developing and implementing affirming policies and practices for LGBTQ+ children in foster care. Vida also leads the Youth Acceptance Project and provides her clinical expertise to several jurisdictions throughout the country. vkhavar@familybuilders.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/vida-khavar-lmft-918a393/ lgbtqequity.org/june-2024-podcast-series/# https://familybuilders.org/programs-services/youth-acceptance-project https://youtu.be/fyXRwX3aeOU - video (Support for LGBTQ Youth Starts at Home) Youth Acceptance Project – The National

Dr. Bryant brings a plethora of experiences and knowledge dealing with substance use disorders (SUD), HIV/AIDS prevention and education, diversity, equity and inclusion training, anti-racism training, and sexual orientation education. He has been successful in developing and implementing a statewide strategic plan for Georgia in response to the opioid and prescription drug overdose epidemic. As a result of this formative work, Dr Bryant received a grant to do a multi-cultural needs assessment among vulnerable populations in support of the Statewide Strategic Plan from the Georgia Department of Public Health. Dr Bryant has published over 20 peer-reviewed articles in the areas of HIV/AIDS, homophobia, racism, and tobacco use prevention, and has been a registered respiratory therapist (RRT) for over 45 years, fighting on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a part-time Assistant Professor at Kennesaw State University and Capella, University, Dr Bryant teaches courses in SUD, health and wellness and do

Angela Weeks brings extensive national experience creating, implementing, and evaluating programs and initiatives that improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people and communities. She has led the development of LGBTQ+ trainings and tools, policy revisions, webinars series, supported the design and implementation of interventions to support LGBTQ+ youth, and maintained resource databases and websites. In addition to directing this Center, Angela is the Project Director for The National Quality Improvement Center on Tailored Services, Placement Stability, and Permanency for LGBTQ2S Children and Youth in Foster Care (QIC-LGBTQ2S). As the Project Director for the QIC-LGBTQ2S, she has helped develop, implement, and evaluate 15 different LGBTQ+ programs and initiatives for LGBTQ+ foster youth, their families, and the workforce that serves them. She also has extensive experience supporting LGBTQ+ populations experiencing homelessness and the juvenile justice system.  She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from the

Karie, is a Certified ToP® Facilitator and Mentor Trainer with extensive experience in strategic planning and community engagement. Her passion for fostering collaboration and driving positive change has led her to dedicate her career to helping organizations and communities achieve their goals through effective facilitation and inclusive decision-making processes. She excels at creating safe and inclusive spaces for dialogue, managing diverse perspectives, and ensuring that all voices are heard and valued. ·      www.karieterhark.com ·      https://www.linkedin.com/in/karieterhark ·      https://www.instagram.com/kt_facilitation/ ·      https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550480096730

Nathan Wray a Prevention Coordinator for the Roane County Anti-drug Coalition in Tennessee. He’s also a highly sought after motivational speaker whose life story is nothing short of inspirational. Nathan speaks from the perspective of lived experience, in hopes of empowering youth, and his story is a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience. Nathan’s message combines his passion for change with a sense of humor that connects with the audience to make a lasting impact.  In his spare time, he hangs out with his four kids and his beautiful life. ·      Website: https://www.nathanwrayspeaks.com/  ·      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatnathanwray/ ·      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nwrayspeaks/

I am not a photographer by education or formal training. I often describe myself as an “accidental photographer” since most of what I know is self-taught - born out of a pure love of the outdoors and the beauty of creation. My journey into photography began near the end of my career as a federal drug prosecutor where I supervised the Organized Crime/Drug Enforcement Task Force – a group of agents, analysts and prosecutors who investigated and prosecuted high-level drug trafficking organizations. During that time, I was an eyewitness to some of the darkest aspects of society. Although my legal career was exciting and challenging, the investigation of these cases put me in direct contact with all forms of greed, addiction, violence, abuse and neglect of children, and the loss of dignity, health, freedom, and even life itself. Without recognizing it, all of those things weighed on my heart, mind and soul in ways that I couldn’t imagine at the time. It took a mid-life crisis to bring me into the world of serio

Rodney Wambeam, Ph.D. is a Senior Research Scientist at the Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center (WYSAC) of the University of Wyoming (UW). He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Political Science at UW. Dr. Wambeam completed his Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska in 1999 and served as policy advisor to Nebraska Governor Ben Nelson. He was Director of the Evaluation Research Department at the Nebraska Council to Prevent Alcohol and Drug Abuse before moving home to Wyoming in 2002. At WYSAC, Dr. Wambeam and his team conduct numerous substance abuse prevention and treatment research projects in many states including Arkansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming. He currently leads the Federal Prevention Block Grant, State Opioid Response Grant, and National Opioid Litigation evaluations in Arkansas, as well as leading the Opioid/Fentanyl Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan in Wyoming. He has presented more than 50 keynotes across the country on substance abuse prevention with millennials

My guest on this episode is Rikki Barton who has a passion for communicating essential messages to move individuals and communities onward in their goals. She is the Founder/Lead Consultant of Onward Consulting and holds the Missouri Advanced Prevention Specialist certification as well as international IC&RC certification. Rikki has over 14 years of prevention field experience and currently serves as a consultant to assist organizations, coalitions, and state/federal agencies in the areas of substance use prevention, suicide prevention, and mental health promotion. She has extensive experience working with community coalitions, providing training, grant writing, managing funding sources, and leading a team of preventionists. Rikki trains for CADCA in their youth and adult training programs as well as trains for National Council for Mental Wellbeing as an Adult, Youth, and Teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor. She holds a Bachelors degree from Pennsylvania State University and a Masters degree from Lib

Kris Gabrielsen is the co-director of the Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center. She has worked in the substance misuse prevention field for over 30 years. Kris was the Associate Director of the Western Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT), co-authored the first Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training curriculum, and co-authored the textbook, Substance Abuse Prevention: The Intersection of Science and Practice. As a consultant, she has worked with states and communities across the nation to bridge the gap between research and practice, assisting prevention professionals in maximizing their effectiveness.  ·      Web site: https://pttcnetwork.org/centers/content/great-lakes-pttc ·      Website: https://pttcnetwork.org/centers/great-lakes-pttc/product/risk-factors-youth-substance-misuse-0 ·      Website: https://pttcnetwork.org/centers/great-lakes-pttc/product/building-protective-factors-using-social-development-strategy-0 ·      Facebook: https://www.faceb

Dr. Monty Burks Deputy, Director of the Governor's Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives, where his role is engaging and connecting Tennessee’s faith communities to government and other non-profits with the goal of creating partnerships. In this episode we explore Building Blocks – Faith, Prevention, Recovery and the different intersection points between traditional and non-traditional behavioral health communities. Connect with our guest. ·      Email: m.burks@tn.gov ·      Web site: www.tn.gov   (search faith based) The funder of this project, along with all other products of the Mid-America PTTC is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although funded by SAMHSA, the content of this recording does not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA. Since 1993, SAMHSA has actively engaged and supported faith-based and community organizations involved in mental health services and substance use prevention and treatment. Their Community Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership

Kurt Larson has been representing personal injury clients as a Missouri lawyer for more than 20 years. He graduated in the top of his class from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1992, and thereafter spent the summer working with trial attorneys at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D. C. Prior to law school, Kurt graduated from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, receiving a BA in English, with distinction. One of Kurts greatest projects is founding Safe and Sober Prom Night in 2004 in Springfield, Missouri. The program has evolved from an impaired-driving focus to preventing substance misuse in all its forms. The program today is simply known as Safe and Sober and has reached over 1 million students in 41 states, and schools as far away as Kiev, Ukraine and Queensland, Australia have downloaded their content. Safe and Sober provides an innovative way to combat substance misuse through a free program which features prevention-focused videos and curriculum that are used by school

Seth Dewey has been an advocate for social change in the substance use arena since 2017. He is a co-founder of the Kansas Recovery Network, a grassroots Harm Reduction coalition and has been working in public health since 2020. His passion revolves around the health, rights, and well-being of people who use drugs, people in recovery (no matter the path), and for the populations disproportionately affected by substance use due to the antiquated policies surrounding the issue. Seth is actively involved in recovery housing efforts including serving as the Oxford House World Council Chairman. Recently he was appointed to the Governors Behavioral Health Services Planning Committee for the State of Kansas. Seth is a student at Fort Hays State University pursuing his BS in organizational leadership. Connect with Seth: seth.dewey@renogov.org The funder of this project, along with all other products of the Mid-America PTTC is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although funded by SAMHSA

Dr. Fred Rottnek is a Professor and the Director of Community Medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and the Program Director of the Saint Louis University Addiction Medicine Fellowship. His clinical practices currently include addiction medicine and correctional healthcare. He teaches in the School of Medicine, the Physician Assistant Program, and the School of Law. Board-Certified in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine, he is the Medical Director for the Assisted Recovery Centers of American (ARCA) and Juvenile Detention in Family Court for the City of St. Louis. He serves on the boards of the Saint Louis Regional Health Commission and Alive and Well Communities.  Email: Fred.Rottnek@health.slu.edu The funder of this project, along with all other products of the Mid-America PTTC is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although funded by SAMHSA, the content of this recording does not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA. The human brain is the most complex organ

“Anna Simonson is the proud wife of Kirk and mom to Liam, 13 and Luna, 9 months. As the Project Director of her Region’s state-level Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success Grant, she works in 10 counties across Southwest and South-Central Missouri to prevent youth substance use through empowerment and protective factors. Anna has been a Missouri Prevention Specialist since 2019, when she began working at Community Partnership of the Ozarks as a prevention specialist. In February 2022, Anna was given the opportunity to oversee the R-PFS grant and has since found her stride as a prevention professional. Anna thrives when she is able to help community-led coalitions leverage resources for effective, equitable, and sustainable community betterment.” email: asimonson@cpozarks.org  The funder of this project, along with all other products of the Mid-America PTTC is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although funded by SAMHSA, the content of this recording does not nec