Susan E. Robinson, M.Ed., Mental Health Program Manager/Planner, NC DHHS, DMHDDSAS. Ms. Robinson has more than thirty years of experience working with children and youth with serious emotional disorders and disabilities and their families. She has served as the Child Planner and Manager for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and staff to the…
Dr. Kurt Michael is a professor of Psychology of undergraduate and graduate students at Appalachian State University and a Licensed Psychologist. His research in the areas of school mental health, depression, and suicide prevention appears in peer-reviewed journals. He serves in an editorial capacity on 3 scientific outlets. Kurt’s primary professional aim is to help…
Dr. JP Jameson is an associate professor at Appalachian State University and a Licensed Psychologist (Provisional). His research and clinical interests focus on the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality of mental health services in rural areas. This includes studies on effectiveness of school-based mental health programs, prediction and prevention of suicide among rural adolescents, and…
Colin Miller has been involved in harm reduction since 2003 as both a recipient and provider of services. He was first introduced to harm reduction via Access Works in his hometown of Minneapolis, MN, and would later be engaged with Prevention Point in Philadelphia, PA. Over the years, Colin has worked primarily with people living…
Christina works as the viral hepatitis program managers for the North Carolina Communicable Disease Branch. Christina received her MPH at Boston University School of Public Health, and has worked in viral hepatitis for the past six years.
Melinda Pankratz has a doctorate in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She currently manages North Carolina’s Substance Abuse Prevention Block Grant. Prior to this Dr. Pankratz had more than fifteen years of experience in substance use prevention research and evaluation.
Sarah Potter is the Team Leader for the Prevention and Early Intervention section of the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services. Previously she served as President of Creative Alliance where she specialized in program development and evaluation, strategic planning, and resource development. She has also served as Director of Program…
Jesse is a former drug user and a formerly incarcerated person. He works as the statewide overdose prevention coordinator, an outreach worker and the statewide volunteer coordinator for the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition and, as such, he participates in and advocates for harm reduction efforts in the community. These efforts include but are not…
Donald McDonald, MSW, LCAS serves as the Director of Advocacy and Education with Recovery Communities of North Carolina (RCNC). Mr. McDonald is a Navy veteran, former teacher, and jazz musician. He now thrives in his 13th year of recovery from mental health and substance use disorders with his wife, Jill, and four children.
Co-founder and co-director of the Katal Center for Health, Equity, and Justice. He is a Master Organizer with a 25 year history of developing leaders, building campaigns, and winning policy reform. Jones has worked, trained, and consulted on campaigns for immigration rights, healthcare reform, gender equality, marriage equality, safe access to drugs, and ending the…