Mid-america Prevention Technology Transfer Center

Sheryl “Ms. Sherry” Branch-Maxwell, has been a driving force in Missouri for more than four decades. During that time, she has overseen the provision of capacity-building assistance to promote evidence-informed practices with state and local partners. For over 35 years, Ms. Sherry has embraced positive youth development, policy change and truly believes in the strength and ability of youth in the Missouri Bootheel. Currently, Ms. Sherry serves as Assistant Area Coordinator for Lincoln University Cooperative Extension in Charleston, MO and is innovative in leading partnerships, integrating youth programming, food and nutrition programs, while working closely with state officials to expand assistance to those in need. Ms. Sherry’s most notable project, is Kids’ Beat. At one time the organization had an enrollment of over 1,500 members across more than 30 clubs in all 6 Bootheel counties, including Butler and Cape Girardeau. She has served on several gubernatorial boards, including but not limited to, The Dr. Ma

Our guests are Kate Kelley, Director of Community Programming with the Alliance of Southwest Missouri and Crystal Dalmasso, Prevention Specialist & Training Consultant with a TTA provider in Kansas called DCCCA.  In this episode we discuss SAMHSA’s recent Core Competencies training pilot. Visit the SAMHSA Evidence Based Practices Resource Center at: https://www.samhsa.gov/resource-search/ebp 

Our guests today are Kim Freese, Region-7 Administrator for SAMHSA and Catherine Satterwhite, Region-7 Health Administrator from the Office of Assistant Secretary of Health. In this episode we’re exploring Missouri's Overdose Prevention Planning Strategy. As a reminder, SAMHSA is the funder of this project along with all other products of the Mid-America PTTC. Did you know that SAMHSA has an Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit, available free for download? https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Opioid-Overdose-Prevention-Toolkit/SMA18-4742 Learn more about opioid prevention on the HealtheKnowledge platform. They have 25 titles to choose from including two Spanish language courses, topics to assist Special Populations – and a whole lot more. It’s free to sign-up. Visit HealtheKnowledge.org

Stacee Read the Director of Network Development for the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children. She is responsible for the development and oversight of State, Local, and Tribal DEC Alliances, and for providing training and TA within the DEC network - and to professionals across the nation. Her previous work in child welfare has included such roles as Crisis Counselor, and a Fatality Review Team Facilitator. Her depth of experience on committees and workgroups includes Substance Exposed Newborns, Rural Methamphetamine, and Child Protection.  Stacee received her Master’s in Social Work and her undergraduate studies in Psychology with an emphasis on abnormal psychology and dependency behaviors. Ms. Read is also an adjunct professor and consultant helping students and professionals on various topic issues across the country. sread@nationaldec.org https://www.checkdec.org/en 

Ret. Lieutenant Eric Nation, who began his career in law enforcement and where he spent many years in a narcotics division. It was this exposure that eventually led him to recognize the impact that drugs and drug environments have on children, which ultimately led him to help start the Jasper County Drug Endangered Children Alliance. Upon retirement from formal law enforcement, Nation joined the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children as Director of Training and Development, who has been involved in training thousands of professionals across the United States. Mr. Nation has been recognized locally and nationally for his efforts, and as we’ll soon learn his story is one of transformation from ‘lack of awareness - to leading advocate’ for children and families caught in the cycle of drug use. enation@nationaldec.org https://www.checkdec.org/en 

Chris Davis is the Vice President of Prevention and Youth Support at Community Partnership of the Ozarks in Springfield, Mo.  Chris began his career as a counselor, but 23 years ago started his journey into substance use and violence prevention. Mr. Davis and his team provide services across a multi-county region of Southwest Missouri, and in some regards, he is the un-official historian of prevention across his state and is affectionately known as Mr. Logic Model due to his interest in perfecting the model and his passion for teaching that skill. Websites: https://nida.nih.gov/videos/teen-brain-development  www.cpozarks.org https://www.taneycountyadapt.com  

Heather Harlan brings a wealth of information on a broad range of mental health and wellness topics. Currently, she is working with a County Department of Health. Her experience has also included, adult and adolescent drug and alcohol counseling and has been part of an initiative to support pediatric providers. Heather also serves as a volunteer family group facilitator for NAMI and interestingly in her "spare time" she is a professional storyteller. Heather says her performances are about connecting the audience. Ms. Harlan states, my highest hope is to connect the audience members with each other. The most satisfying level of experience occurs when the audience members can break down walls and interact with each other. Email: hcharlan@gmail.com Web: http://heatherharlan.com  

In today’s podcast, I have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Caroline DuPont, she is Vice President of the Institute for Behavior and Health. The IBH mission is to reduce the use of illegal drugs.  In her role as Vice President, she focuses on the areas of addiction treatment and prevention. She maintains a private practice specializing in anxiety and addiction. She was the founding President and Principal Investigator of DuPont Clinical Research, where she directed a team that conducted studies of investigational medication for the anxiety and affective disorders. She is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and by the American Board of Addiction Medicine. She is the co-author of numerous publications and several book chapters on anxiety and addiction.  Before we get into the content, we would like to thank our funder the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Quick note, although funded by SAMHSA, the content of this recording does not necessarily reflect the

After serving 26 years in law enforcement Cpt. Dana Mitchell spent no time in retirement, transitioning instead to civilian work coordinating Dover Youth to Youth, an empowerment program where students are part of “the solution” to the drug & violence problem. Each year Y2Y conducts a wide variety of programs, including educational presentations; creating & recording video/radio PSAs; and conducting a wide variety of awareness initiatives. In addition to winning several national awards, Dover Y2Y is well known for their multi-media, youth-taught presentations to students and/or adults on implementing youth empowerment programs, capacity building and advocacy skill development. The One Voice Toolkit of resources is available to coalitions and communities with staff & students continuously providing training on site and virtually. Email: mitchell@dover.nh.gov Links: http://dovery2y.org/resources/toolkit/ Resources: https://vimeo.com/dovery2y

Jerry Moe, whose widely emulated work helping young children in families facing addiction has been featured in award-winning projects by Sesame Street in Communities, Nickelodeon and PBS - and whose passion for kids and deep empathy have routinely moved audiences to tears. He recently retired after 43 years as a child counselor and industry icon who brought hope and healing to thousands around the globe. Jerry spent most of his career with the Betty Ford Center and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, where he was executive director of national Children's Programs. Moe's empathy, emotional connection to kids, and unwavering hope for them, likely stems from his own experiences with a father who struggled with alcoholism, accessed help, and lived his last 38 years sober. Moe is also a cancer survivor, husband, and father of three children of his own. Learn more about Kit for Kids and Kit for Parents https://nacoa.org  Meet Karli and her friends on Sesame Street https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/par

Cindy Pharis, she is the owner of LiveOak Evaluation Consulting. She started her career in substance use prevention twenty-six years ago in Texas as a professional training coordinator. Since 2012 she has been honing her interest in evaluation and accountability of prevention efforts and launched her own practice in 2015.  According to Cindy she has always been excited by turning data into stories of impact and change. Find Cindy on LinkedIn Email Cindy - cindy@liveoakevaluation.com  Community Toolbox CADCA Evaluation Primer 

In this episode we visit with Missouri State Senator Holly Thompson-Rehder. In addition to being known as a voice in the fight against opioid addiction and the stigma of mental illness, she is also the author of a memoir entitled Cinder Girl, Growing Up on America’s Fringe.  Holly has lived experience from being raised on welfare, quitting school at fifteen, becoming a mother at sixteen, and ultimately, deciding to do things differently. Website: holly@hollyrehder.com Book: Cinder Girl: Growing Up on America’s Fringe

Kimberly Nelson (Kim), she is the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, otherwise known as (SAMHSA) Regional Administrator. Kim has served Region 7: Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska, since 2015, and has worked in the behavioral health care field since 1992. Perhaps most importantly, Kim is a person in long term recovery and is a Licensed Addictions Counselor and a Certified Peer Support Specialist.  Her foundation in clinical work in the community, or with serving criminal justice clients, and a stint as a Medicaid Coordinator; ensuring alignment with addiction services, demonstrates that Kim is passionate about guiding systems toward change.  In her current role she wears many hats on any given day, but that makes her uniquely qualified for our discussion today about recent data trends and how the future of harm reduction fits into the prevention of tomorrow. Website: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/harm-reduction Email: Kimberl

Peter Komendowski is one of Iowa’s leading advocates for healthy, drug-free communities and is a sought-after speaker as an expert in substance abuse prevention and high-risk behavior management. In 2013 he was invited by Mediacom to host the TV series, Children & Drugs: Secrets for Parents, which aired eight episodes.  Building on that success he was invited back to host the TV show Surviving Bad, now in its 6th year. He is co-founder of the Internationally renowned Iowa Digital Literacy & Wellness Conference, and as a writer and a speaker, has been entertaining audiences of all ages with his observations on “living in the digital world – life at the speed of human.”  Website: AHealthyIowa.org Email: Peter@AHealthyIowa.org

Marcia Baker has a PhD in Psychology with a specialty in Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine. She is currently owner of Third Coast Counseling and Wellness where she is a practicing therapist. She has developed programs and worked as a therapist in the substance abuse treatment, prevention, and behavioral health field for over 30 years.  She utilizes her education and experience to provide a holistic approach when treating emotional/physical health issues for all ages. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher and has been a Yoga practitioner for over 25 years. https://www.thirdcoastcw.com https://strengtheningfamiliesprogram.org Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory

Dr. Ira J. Chasnoff, M.D., an award-winning author, researcher, and lecturer, who is president of NTI Upstream and a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. He is one of the nation's leading researchers in the field of child development and the effects of environmental factors on the developmental trajectory of children and adolescents. He also has worked with a wide range of States across the nation and internationally in developing universal outreach and early intervention programs for children and families affected by trauma or substance abuse. https://www.ntiupstream.com/  

Mitch Moore is a dynamic educator who has a passion for training people and serves those who serve by designing and delivering training across America. He is an advanced certified prevention specialist and licensed chemical dependency counselor who has extensive experience working with youth and families in both prevention and recovery settings. He has served as a counselor, prevention specialist and executive director of a charitable organization. In 2019, he was awarded the Texas Prevention Specialist of the Year.  Website: mitchellmoore.us Email: mitch@preventiontrainingservices.com

Jennifer White is the Founder and Executive Director of ICT SOS. Her organization has as its mission to end human trafficking through prevention and awareness education; advocacy for survivors; and acting as a bridge between direct service professionals and community members who desire to help. Jennifer is a lifelong Wichitan, mom to two amazing kids, and a huge fan of tacos and Mister Rogers. Links: https://ictsos.org/ Fresh Start Bags: https://ictsos.org/give  iOS App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ict-s-o-s/id1597887077  Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ictsos.app  National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 SMS: 233733 (Text “HELP” or “INFO”)

In this episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Cindy Miles. She is an advocate for children and families, like hers, that have been affected by child abuse, neglect, and addiction. As an active member of both state and local alliances for drug endangered children, Cindy's message is one of hope for the many families whose lives have been impacted. Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children: http://www.kansas-dec.org/ National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children: https://www.nationaldec.org/ CheckDEC App: https://www.checkdec.org/en

In this episode we talk to Dr. Susan Depue with the Missouri Institute of Mental Health about her work in helping to lead the state's prevention efforts since 2006. Dr. Depue discusses the timeline from when the state was an early pioneer of the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) to the current day. She also provides leadership for the Partnership for Success initiative and is developing a prevention model to reduce methamphetamine use in Missouri. Meth Reduction Campaign Contact Dr. Susan Depue