Register now for Coalitions Rising 2024 | People, Places, and Prevention!
Coalitions Rising is a one-day virtual conference designed to empower coalitions and community-based organizations with strategies and practical tools to foster meaningful engagement, drive environmental change, and better serve diverse populations. The conference will feature four presentations from experts focused on strengthening partnerships across sectors, enhancing community resilience, and addressing the complex needs of special populations. Whether you are a coalition leader, community advocate, or prevention specialist, Coalitions Rising will offer valuable insights, resources, and connections to help transform your community into a healthier, safer, and more inclusive place for all.
Available Sessions:
*Join as many sessions as you like.
Session 1: Why are you talking to me?
Speaker: Colber Prosper, M.S.
Time: 9 AM – 10:30 AM
The following CEs have been applied for: CHES, Social Work, and Prevention
Description: Psychological distress and substance use/misuse are hurting our communities. Mental health is a national priority according to the U.S. Surgeon General. These are large and complex issues and we, preventionist and public health practitioners can’t solve it all on our own. We have to collaborate and/or enhance our efforts of collaboration. But why would community members and other sectors want to partner with us? This interactive session will discuss the barriers of collaboration and introduce the collaborative leadership model. Participants will discuss the collaborative leadership model and assess their own competences in creating and sustaining cross sector partnerships for improved health outcomes.
Session 2: Utilizing Environmental Scans to Create Environmental Change
Speaker: Stephanie Strutner, M.P.H.
Time: 11 AM – 12 PM
The following CEs have been applied for: CHES, Social Work, and Prevention
Description: This session will provide a foundation for coalitions to utilize environmental scans in their work. By investigating the uses of environmental scans and application of data, participants will learn how to pave the way for impactful community-driven solutions.
Session 3: Understanding Stress and Suicide in Rural Ohio Communities
Speaker: Bridget Britton, MSW, LSW
Time: 1 PM – 2 PM
The following CEs have been applied for: Prevention
Description: Farmers and farm families are the center of many of Ohio’s rural communities. In this session, participants will have the chance contemplate life on an Ohio farm from a stress standpoint. Participants will learn to identify characteristics of farmers under stress and to distinguish specific, key stress and suicide warning signs in farmers as compared to the general population. The training will also share resources that 988 workers and other call line workers can recommend to aid rural communities. Finally, participants will be challenged to examine their connection to rural and farm communities in high-stress times of the year in farming communities.
Session 4: Engaging Business Leaders in Prevention
Speaker: Chrissy Myers
Time: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
The following CEs have been applied for: CHES, Social Work, and Prevention
Description: Chrissy Myers, CEO of ClarityHR and AUI will present an in-depth session aimed at empowering prevention professionals to engage effectively with the business community. By leveraging real-world examples, such as the Deterra project, Growing Resilient Impactful Teams and her work as Chair of the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services Board, Chrissy will illustrate how business involvement can help build community collaborations that move the needle. She will discuss how prevention not only benefits businesses’ bottom lines but also enhances team productivity and customer relationships. Attendees will gain insights into speaking the language of business, understanding simple, scalable prevention steps, and building collaborative partnerships for sustainable impact. The session will highlight practical ways for leaders to champion prevention initiatives and foster a culture of awareness within their organizations.
Meet the Speakers:
Colber Prosper, M.S.
Colber Prosper, M.S., is the CEO of Prosper & Partners International Consulting Firm, LLC and authored the book title, No Entry Examining the Powers that Undermine our Full Potential. Colber is an expert in various areas like education, organizational development, community public health and prevention. However, all of this work is centered around building community and creating inclusive spaces for all. He is passionate about spirituality, social justice, humans and South Florida sport teams.
Stephanie Strutner, M.P.H.
A retired substance use prevention coalition director, Stephanie Strutner, MPH owns and operates an independent consulting firm, Catalyst Evaluation Group, through which she provides support to clients through measuring impact and conducting biostatistical and epidemiological analyses. She also serves as Master Trainer for Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and serves as the part-time CEO for the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Emory & Henry College, a Master of Public Health degree in Health Policy and Management from the University of Tennessee with a focus and field practice in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, a Certificate in Social Enterprise Effectiveness from the College of Business Administration at the University of Tennessee, and is a Level II Certified Prevention Specialist.
Stephanie has spoken to the United States Congress on a number of occasions on the impact drug use has on our communities and has also testified before the Tennessee General Assembly on multiple pertinent prevention issues. In 2018, she was summoned to a meeting in the West Wing of the White House with the President of the United States to discuss effective opioid prevention strategies in local communities. In 2020, the efforts and impact of the coalition she led were selected to be showcased as a case study to Congress. Since 2023 she has been invited by the Institute for Research and Evaluation (UTRIP of Slovenia) to attend the United Nations Commission on Narcotics and Drugs, the global policy forum for drug policy where she has presented on best practices for impact evaluation.
Stephanie is an avid snow skier and wake surfer, she also enjoys tending to her bees and plants, stand-up paddle boarding, golf, boating, sports, and spending time with her family.
Bridget Britton, MSW, LSW
Bridget Britton, MSW, LSW, is the Behavioral Health Field Specialist in the Agriculture and Natural Resources program area for The Ohio State University serving Tuscarawas County and around the state of Ohio. She is a graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work from Azusa Pacific University. Bridget’s primary focus is supporting the farm stress initiative and bringing awareness to those in agriculture about the importance of how stress can impact a person. She works daily to try to break down the barriers and stigma that keeps rural Ohioans from seeking mental health treatment. She works to educate every person on spotting the warning signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and how to be a support to someone in need. Bridget is trained to teach Adult, Youth, and Teen Mental Health First Aid, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), and Trauma Informed Care. More resources on farm stress can be found at go.osu.edu/farmstress. Bridget enjoys spending time with her husband and son. She loves reading fiction books and swimming for self-care.
Chrissy Myers
Chrissy is the author of Reluctantly Resilient and the CEO of AUI and Clarity HR which serve small and medium sized businesses in both for profit and non-profit sectors in the areas of Human Resources and Employee Benefits. Chrissy describes herself as the chief cheerleader setting direction, steering marketing content, and finding creative ways to disrupt two established business sectors. Chrissy is also the author of AUI Gives Back & Clarity Cares two community impact programs where employees serve in the community, track their impact and share what they are doing on behalf of their customers.
Around Akron Chrissy works to leave her community a better place. She is a graduate of Leadership Ohio, Torchbearers, Leadership Akron, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Sclaerator NEO and Community Leadership Institute. She has received the 30 for the Future Award from the Greater Akron Chamber and an Achievement on Excellence Award from National Sales and Marketing Executives.
As an advocate for families struggling with addiction and mental health issues, Chrissy currently serves as Chair for the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board, and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Akron Chamber and Goodwill Industries of Northeast Ohio. Previously Chrissy has served on the Board or Committees for Jobs for Ohio Graduates, Red Oak Behavioral Health, Community Partnership of Summit County, and Social Venture Partners.
Chrissy received her bachelor’s in business administration from John Carroll University and her MBA from the University of Akron. When she is not plotting world domination of the insurance industry or volunteering in the community Chrissy can be found at home with Team Awesome Sauce including Steve, her husband, two kiddos – Maddy & Caleb.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Innovator Sponsors
Catalyst Sponsors
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