SPCA Advisory Council
The Statewide Prevention Coalition Association Advisory Council supports SPCA by sharing their professional expertise and knowledge with other members of SPCA and the SPCA coordinator at Prevention Action Alliance. Members help plan the six annual SPCA meetings, provide guidance on professional development opportunities and resources provided to SPCA members, and aids in member engagement, recruitment and retention.
Members of the SPCA Advisory Council are selected from the members of SPCA. Up to five members of SPCA may serve at one time with one person serving as chair of the council. If you’re a SPCA member and are interested in being on the SPCA Advisory Council, email the SPCA Coordinator at spca@preventionactionalliance.org.
Meet the SPCA Advisory Council
Beth Thomas, MSW, OCPS, Chair
Beth loves the energy of working with people to positively impact their communities. She has the pleasure of serving HC3, a county-wide community coalition, as the program director while working with Fulton County communities to reduce underage substance use. She earned her master’s degree in social work from The Ohio State University and her bachelor’s degree in social work from Bowling Green State University. She currently holds an OCPS credential while finalizing her OCPC application.
Beth serves as the SPCA Advisory Council chair and as the co-coordinator for the Northwest Ohio Network for Adult Allies, a group that is working in the field of youth-led programming.
Beth and her husband, Kevin, are the parents of three “grown and flown” young adults and Beth is thrilled to have added Nana life to her resume this year. Connect with Beth on LinkedIn.
Nabil Pervaiz, MS, OCPS
Nabil is the Gambling Services Coordinator at Recovery Resources in Cleveland, Ohio. He holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health promotion and education from the University of Cincinnati. He also is an Ohio-certified prevention specialist (OCPS).
In 2017 during his previous role as an Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Specialist at Recovery Resources, Nabil worked with local schools teaching programs, such as Healthy Alternative for Little Ones and Botvin Life Skills. In his current role, he works with Adults in Prime for Life classes and focuses on gambling and treatment.
Additionally, Nabil co-chairs the Cuyahoga Problem Gambling Coalition and Advisory Council. He is a member of the Problem Gambling Advisory Board for the state of Ohio and a board member for the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio. Connect with Nabil on LinkedIn.
Jodi Salvo, LSW, OCPC
Jodi is the director of prevention services at OhioGuidestone. She holds a master’s degree in social work from Marywood University and is an Ohio-certified prevention consultant (OCPC). Jodi oversees school-based prevention education, youth-led programming and coordinates the Tuscarawas County Anti-Drug Coalition. She is passionately committed to strengthening families and communities in Tuscarawas County. She is a strong proponent of the power of community coalitions to make positive changes in one’s community. She is actively involved in many community committees and organizations and is a member of Ohio Statewide Prevention Coalition Association Advisory Council, and a board member of ADAPAO, serving as the Membership and Networking co-chair. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, kayaking, and spending time with friends and family.
Amanda Conn Starner, MS, CHES, OCPS
Amanda Conn Starner serves as a senior director at PreventionFIRST! She is responsible for overseeing the Center for Community Engagement, which includes building, growing and sustaining prevention coalitions across the Greater Cincinnati region. Amanda graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a journalism writing certificate, along with a master’s degree in health promotion and education, with a concentration in community health. She is a graduate of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA) National Coalition Academy. Amanda worked for the public sector for several years, including as a member of senior staff at the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services and the Ohio Senate. She began her professional career as a print and television journalist, which included winning an Emmy Award. Amanda is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist (OCPS).
To learn more about SPCA or if you have questions about meetings or joining SPCA, contact us at 614.540.9985 or email spca@preventionactionalliance.org.