Awareness 2 Action

On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Gail Maddox Taylor about listening to and investing in communities, building coalitions, and why prevention matters. 
 
Gail Maddox Taylor is the Director of the Office of Behavioral Health Wellness for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, also known as the NPN, where she provides leadership in Virginia’s prevention efforts. She also leads Virginia’s statewide initiatives, including Problem Gambling Prevention, Suicide Prevention, Mental Health First Aid, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Behavioral Health Equity and Disparities initiatives. Gail is the 2020 recipient of the National Association of Substance Abuse Director’s National Prevention Network Ketty Award presented annually to a current NPN who has made outstanding contributions to the NPN organization and the field of prevention and received the 2021 Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) Outstanding State Award. These awards were received because of the hard work of the OBHW team, CSBs and Virginia community Coalitions. Gail has served as the NPN liaison on the Board of the Society of Prevention Research, is on CADCA’s Coalition Advisory Council (CAC), and serves as the National NPN 1st Vice-President. 
 
TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide, substance use, trauma, domestic violence, and mental health issues are discussed in broad ways throughout this conversation. 
 
Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services: 
https://dbhds.virginia.gov/
 
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.

On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Dorris Walker-Taylor about Thistle Farms- a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from prostitution, trafficking, and addiction. Dorris is a Senior Ambassador and a 2012 graduate from Thistle Farms. Dorris also recently authored her first book, Hope is Always Real. 
 
TRIGGER WARNING: Substance use, sexual assault, trafficking, trauma, gun violence, incarceration, and prositution. If you feel it might be best for your own mental wellness to avoid this part of the conversation, you can skip ahead to the 10 minute mark of the episode. 
Thistle Farms: https://thistlefarms.org/
Dorris Walker-Taylor’s Contact Information: dorris@thistlefarms.org
Hope is Always Real: https://changeherstory.org/products/hope?_pos=1&_sid=206be16b4&_ss=r
 
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.
 
 

On this week’s episode, we’re sitting down with Laura Cross to discuss the importance of prioritizing authenticity with ourselves, what it looks like to develop community within a profession or field, and how to encourage positive workplace culture. 
Laura Cross is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified EFT Therapist and Supervisor and owner of a group private practice, Individual and Relationship Therapy Center (IRTC) in Denver, Colorado. Laura is also an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and Practicum Supervisor for the University of Colorado Denver’s Couple and Family Therapy program. The first 22 years of Laura’s career were spent in Washington, DC, specializing in sales and marketing in the medical device industry. During her time in this space, she gained valuable experience that continues to inform her work, and allows her to maximize each client’s engagement in their therapy journey.  
Individual Relationship and Therapy Center Website: https://www.individualrelationshipcenter.com/
IRTC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndividualAndRelationshipTherapyCenter/
IRTC Twitter: https://twitter.com/IRTherapyCenter
 
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.
 

On this week’s episode, we’re revisiting a conversation from Season 1 with Keith Cartwright to discuss Adverse Childhood Experiences, where prevention and health promotion should begin, and how we can build better relationships in our homes, our workplaces, and our communities.
Keith Cartwright is a Behavioral Health Wellness Consultant for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. In this role, he leads the statewide initiative to grow awareness in communities about the developmental impacts of adverse childhood experiences. To date, the initiative has trained over 200 ACE Interface trainers and presenters in Virginia. Keith also works part-time as the Alcohol and Drug Education Coordinator at Randolph-Macon College. 
Mentioned Resources:
ACES Overview: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html
Nadine Burke Harris – How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime: https://www.ted.com/talks/nadine_burke_harris_how_childhood_trauma_affects_health_across_a_lifetime
Johann Hair’s Lost Connections: https://thelostconnections.com/mobile/
ACES Trainers across Virginia are working to raise awareness through education and connect people to helpful resources in an effort to reduce ACES and ultimately improve the health of our communities. If you are interested in scheduling a custom ACES training for your group and are located in the City of Winchester or the counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, or Warren, please contact Northwestern Prevention and Wellness at shannon.urum@nwcsb.com.
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.
 

On this week’s episode, we sit down with Sam Quinones to discuss the contents of his books Dreamland and Least of Us, the neuroscience of addiction, and the reasons why he feels hopeful about our future as a nation navigating an opioid epidemic.
Sam is a journalist and author of four books of narrative nonfiction. Sam’s landmark book Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic won a National Book Critics Circle award for Best Nonfiction and ignited awareness of the opioid epidemic happening in the United States. Sam’s latest book, The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth explores the emergence of unprecedented drug-trafficking in the US, contrasted with stories of Americans recovering community through simple acts of service and care.
JOIN US FOR A CONVERSATION WITH SAM FEBRUARY 23, 2022 AT 6:30 PM: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-conversation-with-best-selling-author-sam-quinones-tickets-211930438647
READ THE LEAST OF US: TRUE TALES OF AMERICA AND HOPE IN THE TIME OF FENTANYL AND METH: https://samquinones.com/books/the-least-of-us/
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.
 

On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Rita Miller about the benefit of establishing unexpected partnerships, the importance of staying flexible, and the beauty of engagement in the field of public health.
 
Rita Miller is the Cessation Services Coordinator for the Tobacco Control Program at the Virginia Department of Health, where she is responsible for the coordination of services for Quit Now Virginia, Virginia’s tobacco cessation quit-line and the provider referral services. Throughout her career, Rita has managed collaborative relationships with a wide array of community members and agencies to help build, promote and maintain healthy communities. 
 
Rita holds a BS from Johnson C. Smith University and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a graduate of four leadership development programs to include the Leadership RoundTable of Virginia Union University. Rita is a Virginia Coordinated School Health Fellow and a Tobacco Treatment Specialist, and the author of Determined Destination, Life’s Imperfect Journey of Learning and Love.
 
Quit Now Virginia: 
1-800-QUIT-NOW / 1-800-784-8669
1-855-DEJELO-YA /1-855-335-3569 –Spanish
TTY Line 1-877-777-6534 – For Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community
QuitNow.net/Virginia
 
Rita’s Contact Information: 
Email: Rita.Miller@vdh.virginia.gov  Office (804) 864-7897
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/tobacco-free-living/tobacco-use-control-project-tucp/
 
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.
 

Happy New Year! We’re kicking off the year by sitting down with Shanza Isom to discuss holistic well-being, mindfulness, and self-care. We think this conversation is the PERFECT way to start January, at a time when we’re all considering how we can better care for ourselves, and others, in the year ahead. 
Shanza Isom, MSW is an assistant professor in the James Madison University department of social work, where she teaches undergraduate courses and directs field instruction. Shanza is also a facilitator and trainer, with expertise in areas of mindfulness and holistic well-being. Shanza trains and teaches educators, parents and those in helping professions in the incorporation of mindfulness in their personal and professional lives.
Shanza’s Contact Information: isomsa@jmu.edu 
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.

On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Misty Harris about breaking the cycle of abuse in families and communities, storytelling as a method for overcoming stigma, and pursuing growth at every stage of life. 
Misty is an author, speaker, senior counselor, and ordained minister. Misty will soon graduate with her Masters in Addiction Counseling and will continue working toward her licensure. Misty describes herself as a survivor and an overcomer, as well as a wife, mother, and grandmother.
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes dialogue on substance use, child abuse, sexual assault, gun violence, and overdose. 
Misty’s Book, The Broken Woman: https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Woman-Misty-Harris-ebook/dp/B07PNVY8GM
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.