Prevention
conference
Substance use
nwa Community
26 April, 2023 • 7:30AM-3:30PM
AGENDA
Grand Ballroom:
7:00-8:00
8:00-8:15
8:15-9:30
9:30-10:00
10:00-10:15
10:15-11:00
11:00-12:00
12:00-1:00
Registration
Opening Remarks
Keynote: Stigma
Current Drug Trends
Break
Mental Health
Intersectionality in Prevention
Lunch
3:00-3:30
Closing Remarks
Break Out Session 1:
1:00-2:00
Peers in Prevention
Social Determinants of Health
Vaping
Break Out Session 2:
2:00-3:00
Drug Policy
Lifespan Perspectives
Asset Mapping
About Our Speakers
Meet Your Hosts
Liane Hill graduated with her undergraduate degree in Psychology from The University of Arkansas and went on to obtain her Master of Public Health from The University of West Florida. Liane currently works as your Region 1 Regional Prevention Provider working to empower her community to play a role in preventing substance misuse. Liane is passionate about seeing her community members thrive and loves to discuss data.
Sarah Werner graduated with her undergraduate degree in Public Health from The University of Arkansas and went on to become a Certified Health Education Specialist. Sarah is passionate about health equity, community empowerment, and health education. In her free time, Sarah enjoys vintage shopping and spending time with her fiancé, Madeline, and their 3 cats Bumi, Suki, and Momo.
Keynote: Stigma
Dr. Nicole Doyle
Nicole Doyle has a PhD in Health Behavior and Health Promotion from the University of Arkansas. Having re-located to St. Louis in December with her husband and two dogs, she’s looking forward to getting plugged in to the St. Louis community and is honored to be one of the founding faculty members of the College of Global Population Health at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy.
As the Program Director for the Public Health program and Interim Program Director for the Healthcare Administration and Management program, there is some exciting work happening with the curriculum development, program launch, and student advising! Among her teaching interests, program planning and health behavior theory, and introduction to public health are a couple of her favorite courses. She considers herself a mixed methods researcher who studies many things under the umbrella of substance use and mental health. Her work focuses on stigma-related impacts on help-seeking intention, psychological affective conditions and the relationship with substance use, and coping mechanisms of individuals.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, biking, camping, and spending time with her family.
Libby Bier, Arisa Health
Libby Bier, MA, LPC, NCC, LADAC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor with nearly 20 years of experience in the field of addiction and co-occurring services across Illinois, Iowa, and Arkansas. Libby has provided services for adolescents and adults struggling with substance abuse and process addictions (i.e. gambling, video gaming, food, shopping/spending, sex) throughout the continuum of care including inpatient, residential, intensive outpatient, medication assisted treatment, continuing care and early intervention/prevention. She has worked extensively in the areas of program enhancement and staff development and has presented workshops for addiction professionals around the nation. Libby is currently the Director of Substance Abuse and Recovery Services for Arisa Health.
Mental Health
Intersectionality of Prevention
Alicia Adkins (she/they) , NWA Harm Reduction
Alicia Adkins is a Peer Support Specialist, Harm Reductionist, and American Sign Language Interpreter. Alicia founded Recovery Lifer Detox 360 and serves on the Board of Directors for Northwest Arkansas Harm Reduction as their Marketing Director. She is an active member of the recovery community with 20 consecutive years of personal recovery from both substance use disorder and mental health. Alicia is a beacon of hope who has defied all the odds as a survivor of childhood trauma and human trafficking.
Alicia’s role as an advocate and change agent coupled with her trauma experience and no-nonsense approach helps people to initiate an open dialogue and reframe the conversation in order to change lives. Her work balances optimism with radical acceptance while practicing mindfulness.
Alicia is a prominent accessibility and queer activist who advocates for minority and disability rights, gender affirming care, marginalized communities, and human trafficking survivors. Her unique perspective and lived experience gives her special insight into how intersectionality impacts care and outcomes. Her strengths are trauma-informed, healing-centered care. She unapologetically says the “quiet parts” out loud. Her bravery, gift for thinking out-of-the box, proactive approach, and mastery of analogies makes her relatable, entertaining, and thought provoking.
Alicia is also a proud wife and mother to two amazing humans, two dogs, and grandma to one service dog. She manages a household having multiple people with special needs with compassion and grace. Her work continues to impact the community and touch lives from all walks of life.
Angie Fisher, Arisa Health
I have dealt with Substance Use Disorder most of my teen and adult life. Currently I am in long term recovery (3 years in June) from stimulants, I have been to prison twice and jail numerous times because of my addiction and now on this side of it I wish that there had been more credible information and programs offered about the reality of addiction and what that looks like which has brought me to this career in my life now at 46 to be an advocate for my peer. To promote prevention and recovery in my community and be a role model to show my peers what can be done with guidance and self work. Also that there is an alternative to living that day to day struggle that so many of my fellow Arkansans are facing.
Prevention Peers
Prevention Peers
Sasha Evans, Arisa Health
My name is Sasha Evans. My sobriety date is August 1,2015. I work as a peer support specialist in training at Arisa Health. I am in the process of getting everything ready for getting my certification. I have twin girls that are 11 years old. They are my life. They keep me striving each day to be a better person. I enjoy the outdoors and shopping!
Policy
Dr. Whitney Payne
Professor Whitney Payne was the Treatment Coordinator of the Northwest Arkansas Community Correction Center, a residential treatment facility that serves 100 non-violent, female offenders who often struggle with chemical dependency. Professor Payne worked at NWACCC from June of 2010 August of 2016. Professor Payne became an adjunct faculty member with the University of Arkansas School of Social Work in August of 2012 and was hired on as a Clinical Assistant Professor in August of 2016. Since that time, she has helped to develop the Substance Use Disorder Minor program and teaches three courses related to addiction treatment and drug policy. Professor Payne graduated with a BSW from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2008 and an MSW for the University of Arkansas in 2010. In addition to these degrees, Professor Payne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as as Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor.
Dr. Page Dobbs
Dr. Dobbs earned a MS and a PhD in Community Health Promotion from the University of Arkansas’ College of Education and Health Professions. She joined the University of Arkansas faculty as an Assistant Professor of Public Health in the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, in 2020. Dr. Dobbs' research focuses on social factors that influence perceptions and behaviors among vulnerable populations. She has published quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research that examined the use of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among youth, young adults, minority populations, and pregnant women. She has also developed and validated theory-based measures that examined young adults’ behavioral intention to use e-cigarettes.
Vaping
Abbie Luzius, Community Clinic
Risk & Protective Factors
Abbie Luzius has worked in public health for 9 years, and currently serves as the Community Development Manager for Community Clinic, a Federally Qualified Health Center in Northwest Arkansas. In this role, she has gained extensive experience in grant writing, grassroots coalition building, the utilization of translation research, and mentorship for emerging public health professionals. Abbie is a third year doctoral student pursuing a Ph.D. in Health Behaviors and Health Promotion at the University of Arkansas, with a focus on Social Determinants of Health and Tobacco Cessation. Community Clinic now has the Center for Research, Education and Outreach (CREO), of which Abbie currently leads. Through the culmination of both academic and professional work in the field of Public Health, Abbie has grown a passion for working alongside vulnerable populations to better understand and intervene on adverse health behaviors, both in and out of a clinic setting. She works to empower patients to take charge of their health, as well as working to propel the latest research on innovative approaches for best practices in addressing social determinants of health and other health needs of the most vulnerable populations.
Lifespan Perspectives
Rukaya Alrubaye, Haas Hall
Rukaya Alrubaye, originally from Iraq, is a senior at Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville, AR. She is on the Board of Directors for Tobacco 21. She is the recipient of the 2022 National Youth Advocate of the Year Award from the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, 2022 Truth Initiative Impact Award, and the 2022 Northwest Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Award. She has spoken with the FDA and state officials to advocate for a healthier future. Rukaya was selected by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to be their national youth spokesperson. In addition, she has won the 2021 Outstanding Youth award from the Arkansas Prevention Network. Rukaya’s coalition has also received the 2022 Most Impactful Project award and the 2022 Outstanding group award from the Arkansas Prevention Network.
Lifespan Perspectives
Meredith Duria, Nursing Student
Meredith Dauria is a student at the University of Arkansas pursing a major in nursing and a minor in substance use disorders. She is in recovery from substances and has been in recovery for over 4 years. Her passion lies in helping others struggling with addiction. She is a very active member in the community and volunteers for Northwest Arkansas Harm Reduction, Razorback Recovery, and Northwest Arkansas Community Correction Center.
Lifespan Perspectives
Eric Sizemore, Drug Court
Corporal Sizemore serves as the Community Liaison for the Washington/Madison County Drug Court and Veteran’s Treatment Court. He has been with the Sheriff’s Office for almost fifteen years, and began working with the Court in 2014 until being appointed to his current position in 2017. Corporal Sizemore helps participants find employment, finds second chance employers, helps create career paths and future educational plans for participants, SAMHSA grant Project Director, and finds partnerships with non-profits who can provide services for participants. He finished college in 1996 from the University of Arkansas majoring in Political Science. He has also attended the Arkansas Law enforcement Training Academy, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, is CIT certified, and a Certified Law Enforcement Instructor. He has served in various positions, and task forces with the Sheriff’s Office and volunteers with different organizations throughout the community.
Lifespan Perspectives
Chris Jones, Eagle Crest Recovery
Chris Jones is a native of Northwest Arkansas and a person in long term recovery. As a certified Peer Recovery Specialist with the state of Arkansas and a current member of NAADAC, he uses his lived experience and personal recovery to help those with substance use disorder navigate the road to recovery. Chris serves on several committees for prevention, treatment, and recovery throughout the state, he is involved with multiple transitional living homes in NWA, and continues to build close relationships with long term treatment programs to help those in recovery sustain their recovery. He also works closely with the Benton County Alternative Courts and is the Outreach Coordinator with Northwest Arkansas Harm Reduction. Chris is married to his wife Jessica, and together they have four children.
Brought to you by:
