Prevention Action Alliance announces the recipients of this year’s Stick Your Neck Out for Prevention award for their annual luncheon.
(Columbus, September 24, 2025) –Prevention Action Alliance is honored to announce the 2025 Stick Your Neck Out for Prevention award recipients: Bonnie Jeanne (MacPhail) Shuman [posthumously] and the Ohio House of Representatives’ Children and Human Services Committee. This signature award will be presented at the organization’s annual Your Role in Prevention luncheon, recognizing individuals and groups who make extraordinary contributions to prevention and mental health wellness in Ohio.
Bonnie Shuman dedicated her life to supporting families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and other developmental challenges. A trained social worker and passionate advocate, she turned her own family’s experiences into a mission to help others, offering both practical support and a voice for those navigating complex systems of care. She helped establish support networks for parents and caregivers, organized educational conferences, and was an outspoken member of Ohio’s FASD Steering Committee, where she worked alongside professionals, advocates, and other families to raise awareness and drive change. Known for her compassion, persistence, and ability to amplify the lived experiences of families, Bonnie’s impact extended well beyond her own community. Her advocacy and unwavering commitment exemplify the spirit of this award and leave a lasting legacy in Ohio’s prevention movement.
“Bonnie truly embodied what it means to ‘stick your neck out for prevention.’ She turned her lived experience into advocacy, and her determination brought greater awareness, resources, and compassion to families across Ohio. This award reflects the extraordinary difference she made.” – Fran Gerbig, Executive Director, Prevention Action Alliance.
The second recipient of this year’s award is the Ohio House of Representatives’ Children and Human Services Committee, recognized for its leadership in advancing prevention-focused policy and legislation that support the wellbeing of children and families statewide. Led by Chair Rep. Andrea White (R-Kettering), Vice Chair Rep. Jodi Salvo (R-Bolivar), and Ranking Member Rep. Crystal Lett (D-Columbus), the Committee has consistently worked in collaboration with mental health providers, county boards, advocacy organizations, and child welfare agencies to ensure prevention remains a statewide priority.
“Through its leadership, the Committee has ensured prevention and early behavioral health supports are central to Ohio’s children’s services systems,” said Fran Gerbig, Executive Director of Prevention Action Alliance. “Their work demonstrates the impact of upstream approaches in building healthier, more resilient communities.”
This year’s honorees embody the courage and collaboration that fuel change, reminding us that both personal dedication and shared leadership can transform communities.
Prevention Action Alliance will present the 2025 Stick Your Neck Out for Prevention award to Bonnie’s husband, Thom Shuman and the Ohio House of Representatives’ Children and Human Services Committee at the Your Role in Prevention luncheon, featuring keynote speaker the Honorable Mary Bono. The event will take place Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Columbus Zoo Africa Event Center, 4850 W Olentangy Street, Powell, Ohio.
Luncheon sponsors include Origo Branding and AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio. This event brings together prevention professionals, coalition members, and community leaders from across Ohio to celebrate the vital work happening in our state and to spotlight the critical role each of us plays in building healthier, more resilient communities.
