As people stay at home and alcohol sales increase, concerns escalate among prevention professionals and public health officials around the emotional and mental risks of substance misuse amid the outbreak. We understand that economic dislocation, job loss and fear of death by disease can be triggers for substance use, which heightens the risk of other issues like suicide and domestic violence. This webinar will be a starting point for a regional dialogue as we prepare for recovery and the important role that prevention professionals will play in the response.
Jennifer Myers, MA
Training Development Manager
Violence and Trauma Team at EDC
Jennifer Myers, M.A. is a mental health professional, consultant, and trainer who has worked to create trauma-sensitive systems throughout her career. She is currently the Training Development Manager for the Violence and Trauma team at Education Development Center (EDC). Jennifer is a thought leader and content expert developing violence prevention, resiliency, and trauma-informed resources and trainings across the prevention spectrum nationally and internationally. She has advised and guided community, school, and health systems in the areas of violence and suicide prevention, mental health promotion, and resilience. She has over 18 years of mental health, crisis response, and substance misuse counseling experience in a variety of settings working with diverse populations including university students, veterans, and LGBTQ individuals. She is a master trainer for Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk and H.O.P.E. Suicide Prevention for Crime Victims. Prior to joining EDC, she was the Assistant Director of Mental Health Initiatives and the Coordinator of Suicide Prevention at the University of South Carolina. At the University, Jennifer led the mental health response to critical incidents including natural disasters and campus violence.
Jennifer holds an MA in Counseling and a BS in Psychology from Ball State University.
Chuck Klevgaard, BSW
Chuck Klevgaard delivers training and technical assistance to support substance misuse prevention throughout the Midwest. Klevgaard has supported communities and health agencies as they adopt evidence-based alcohol, opioid, and other substance misuse programs or policies. Klevgaard also serves as a prevention manager to the Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center. Klevgaard earned his BSW from Minnesota State University Moorhead. He is a Certified Senior Prevention Specialist through the Illinois Certification Board, Inc.
