We are proud to announce the 2024 KYSTARS Consumer Conference Workshop Presenters
Richard Addison is a Lead Peer Support Specialist at NorthKey Community Care. He also serves as a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Co-Facilitator and a Group Facilitator & Board Member at The PIER Recovery Community Center. In addition, Richard is a member of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing CCBHC Living Experience National Advisory Council. In this role, he lends his lived experience and insights to inform policy and initiatives aimed at enhancing mental health care across the country.
Brittany Barrett, LSW, LPCC an EKU alumni, earned her BA in Social Work in 2012 and MA in Mental Health Counseling and Education in 2016. She has over 11 years of experience working in community mental health in eastern Kentucky. She is currently a Program Director for Adult Community Support Services at KRCC. She has been working with peer specialists for over 6 years, providing training and direct supervision. She states, “My peers are always teaching me and allowing me to see our clients from a perspective that only peers often experience. I appreciate the knowledge peers bring to our team and I do believe there is “power in the peer”. My favorite part of working with peers has been watching clients grow into peer support specialists and the confidence and self-esteem that stems from the process.”
Bill Buckman, MSW, CSW, Fayette Mental Health Court Program Coordinator, holds a master’s degree in social work with a clinical certification and substance use disorder cognate from the University of Kentucky. He specializes in the assessment and treatment of individuals with co-occurring disorders and has worked with NAMI Lexington since 2020 in his role with the Fayette Mental Health Court. NAMI Lexington administers the court program and was instrumental in its creation in 2014.
Shellie Cheirs stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment in the mental health community. As the owner of Caris Counseling and Behavioral Health and Administrator of Recovery Plus for Women, Shellie pioneers faith-based treatment and transitional living solutions for adult women grappling with Severe and/or Persistent Mental Illness. With a rich background spanning over two decades in the pharmaceutical industry and managerial roles within Fortune 500 healthcare corporations, Shellie brings a wealth of expertise to her counseling practice. Her dedication to personal and professional growth led her to transition from corporate leadership to serving individuals on their mental health journeys. Driven by a deep-seated passion to uplift and empower others, Shellie embodies the transformative power of compassion and connection.
Amber Collins is a Program Administrator with DBHDID. She earned her Master’s in Counseling and Human Development from Lindsay Wilson. She has worked in the mental health field for 12 years in multiple roles including peer support, case management as well as clinical services and administrative roles.
Amy Colvin obtained a certification as a Substance Use Peer Support Specialist in 2018. In 2019, she began working with KDPH and New Vista of the Bluegrass in harm reduction. More recently, she became a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Associate (March ’22) and was promoted to the Quick Response Team Lead (July ’22). Ms. Colvin is currently pursuing her BA in Social Work. Ms. Colvin works as an advocate to help reduce stigma surrounding Substance Use Disorder and supports all types of recovery paths and people who use substances by meeting individuals where they are.
Jesse Dillow (TAYLRD State Level Youth Coordinator) TAYLRD=Transition Aged Youth Launching Realized Dreams: Jesse is from Ashland KY. Jesse has been working at KPFC (Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children) going on four years. Jesse came from an education background before starting at KPFC, jesse was a 3rd-5th grade math interventionist and taught 4th grade drug prevention (Too Good for Drugs). Jesse was hired based on his lived experience in behavioral health. Jesse has been using his voice to make a change for TAY all over Kentucky. Jesse is working on getting a degree to become a school psychologist so he can achieve his ultimate goal in helping end the stigma around mental health.
Kelly Gunning
Kelly Gunning is a Community Psychologist and the current Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for NAMI Lexington. Kelly has worked in mental health for 30 years. Her key role in advocacy efforts have resulted in the replacement of the 200 year old Eastern State Hospital, the creation of Peer Operated Services in Kentucky, the creation of the Fayette County Mental Health Diversion Court, the passage of Tim's Law and the impetus for the first Juvenile Mental Health Diversion Court in Kentucky.
Ms. Gunning has had lifelong depression and PTSD, has had many family members with addiction as well as a son with untreated schizophrenia. A life lived up close and personal with mental health and substance use challenges and survival.
Kelly Gunning is a Community Psychologist and the current Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for NAMI Lexington. Kelly has worked in mental health for 30 years. Her key role in advocacy efforts have resulted in the replacement of the 200 year old Eastern State Hospital, the creation of Peer Operated Services in Kentucky, the creation of the Fayette County Mental Health Diversion Court, the passage of Tim's Law and the impetus for the first Juvenile Mental Health Diversion Court in Kentucky.
Ms. Gunning has had lifelong depression and PTSD, has had many family members with addiction as well as a son with untreated schizophrenia. A life lived up close and personal with mental health and substance use challenges and survival.
Kevin Haggarty is a certified Peer Support Specialist who runs a successful Schizophrenia Alliance Group at Participation Station. Kevin is also on the NAMI Lexington Peer Support Team at Eastern State Hospital.
Ellen Healion, MA
Chief Executive Officer since 1993. Directed and coordinated the growth of Long Island's only Peer Run Mental Health Organization, which is now one of the largest Peer Run organizations in the United States. With over 90% Peer staff, provide oversight to Housing, Advocacy, Self Help, a Wellness Center, a Food Farmacy and other services to individuals who experience mental health issues, and who may also be homeless, incarcerated, isolated, struggling from substance abuse, hospitalized and/or living on the fringe of society. Created a safe place for individuals to find their voice, their recovery and to develop skills and relationships to further develop their own lives within the community.
Chief Executive Officer since 1993. Directed and coordinated the growth of Long Island's only Peer Run Mental Health Organization, which is now one of the largest Peer Run organizations in the United States. With over 90% Peer staff, provide oversight to Housing, Advocacy, Self Help, a Wellness Center, a Food Farmacy and other services to individuals who experience mental health issues, and who may also be homeless, incarcerated, isolated, struggling from substance abuse, hospitalized and/or living on the fringe of society. Created a safe place for individuals to find their voice, their recovery and to develop skills and relationships to further develop their own lives within the community.
Mary Hicks has been working in peer support for four years now and is currently an APSS with NAMI Lexington. Mary is a cat and plant mom, artist, small business owner, and is in recovery from alcoholism and various mental health diagnoses. The freedom she experiences daily is a tremendous relief and her gratitude is what keeps her working in this field.
Amy Hinton has worked for LifeSkills for 27 years as a case manager and peer support supervisor. In those 26 years I have supported individual through Targeted Case Management for 20 years by helping individuals maintain and grow in their community. For the past 6 years I have supervised the Peer Support Team at LifeSkills, working to grow a program of support not only for individuals but peers supports working in the Community Mental Health system.
Debbie Homan joined Bridgehaven Mental Health Services in March of 2020 as an Adult Peer Support Specialist. Before joining Bridgehaven, she worked in Illinois for 4 years as an IPS (Individual Placement and Support) Supported Employment Trainer and 9 years as an IPS (Individual Placement and Support) Supported Employment Specialist with a Community Mental Health Center. Debbie believes that work and employment have been a powerful force in her mental health recovery. Debbie received her B.A. in Communications from Elmhurst College and her Master’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University.
Frances Howard is the Director of Rehabilitation and Recovery Services at Eastern State Hospital. She is the vice president of NAMI Lexington.
Andrea Jones is an Adult Peer Support Specialist working as the Peer Support Program Manager of the Adult Division at Seven Counties Services in Louisville. She earned an undergraduate degree in Journalism at Indiana University and a Master of Arts in Teaching at Bellarmine University. She believes in the power of peer support and enjoys seeing people recover from serious mental illnesses and turn their lives around. Andrea also enjoys coaching others to support and encourage individuals through their recovery process. In addition, she serves as the Treasurer of Mental Health America of Kentucky.
Stephanie Sikes-Jones is the TAYLRD Interim TAYLRD Project Coordinator. Inspired by her background receiving treatment for her behavioral health as a youth & adult, Stephanie has been using her lived experience to advocate for young people for over a decade.
Jean Lafky has been a Peer Support Specialist since 2013. She is currently employed by KYSTARS as the Dual Diagnosis State Coordinator and the Training Coordinator. Jean also holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of River Falls, WI and an MA from the University of Alabama.
Tamara McNabb has an Associates of Science degree in Medical Assisting but is far happier in her position as an Adult Peer Support Specialist at Eastern State Hospital. She has been employed with NAMI Lexington and has served at the hospital since 2014. Tamara lives in Lexington with her beloved Shih Tzu Buddy.
Lori Norton is the IPS (Individual Placement and Support) Supported Employment Project Director for the University of Kentucky-Human Development Institute. Lori has over 30 years of experience working with and as an advocate for people with significant disabilities in gaining employment. First as a teacher’s assistant, eight years as an employment specialist for a non-profit agency and a community mental health center as well as one of the first Supported Employment Consultants for Vocational Rehabilitation. She was the first IPS Supported Employment Trainer when Kentucky began implementing IPS in 2010. She believes everyone who wants to work should have the opportunity to do so and believes whole heartedly in the principle of zero exclusion!
David Riggsby is employed by NAMI-Lexington as program Director for KYSTARS (Kentucky System Transformation Advocating Recovery Support). He has been in this position since retiring from Eastern State Hospital in August 2011 where he served as the hospital’s Director of Quality Management. In his 27 years at the hospital he has a wealth of experience with performance measurement, program evaluation and outcomes, indicator development and survey coordination as well as clinical rehabilitation for individuals dealing with serious mental illness. David was also instrumental in the planning and implementation of the innovative Recovery Mall at Eastern State Hospital and was a member of the Bluegrass MH/MR Board’s SMI Task Force. In addition, David worked for 15 years in the hospital’s Rehabilitation Services department and has been a staunch advocate for Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Recovery-based services. He has worked on numerous state-wide initiatives centering around transformation to a Recovery-based system of care and implementation of Peer Support services in Kentucky. David currently provides training and technical assistance to Peer Operated centers around the state and helps organize the annual Kentucky Consumer Conference and the annual Peer Excellence Awards which recognizes the wonderful things that are being done in our state with Peer Support and provides administrative and service support to NAMI Lexington’s Peer Support Team at Eastern State Hospital.
Kenna's Creative Canvas - Kenna Spears offers mobile paint parties in Eastern and central Eastern Ky. Fundraisers, parties, team events. She has her own painting studios in Prestonsburg and Pikeville. Kenna's love for art and creating began as soon as she could hold a crayon. Her talents really blossomed when she took art class in high school. From there Kenna has created a business out of her passion.
David Susman, PhD is a licensed psychologist and the Executive Advisor for Clinical Services in the Office of the Commissioner of the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Frankfort, KY. He was previously the founding director of the Recovery Mall and the Director of Psychology Services at Eastern State Hospital and a clinical faculty member in the Department of Psychology at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Susman has advocated for improved mental health services at the state and Federal levels for many years. He is a past President of the Kentucky Psychological Association and served on the Board of Directors of the American Psychological Association. He is a past recipient of the Schuster Advocacy Award and the NAMI Lexington Lifetime Achievement Award. He blogs about mental health and recovery on Psychology Today and on his website, davidsusman.com.
Marcie Timmerman , MHA is the Executive Director of Mental Health America of Kentucky, a Mental Health First Aid Adult & Youth trainer, a QPR Trainer, and has over 15 years of experience in mental health advocacy. She spent several years managing NAMIWalks Lexington and worked at UK Psychiatry in the past. She is an active member of many groups including the Kentucky Mental Health Coalition where she is Vice-Chair, Bluegrass CIT, and the 988 Planning Committee.
Susan Turner is the Manager for the Bridgehaven Center for Peer Excellence. She has worked as a consumer advocate and mental health provider for over 29 years. Susan is a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) and Adult Peer Support Specialist. She has made recovery for all her life’s work .
Ashley Wells – Has worked for LifeSkills as a Peer Support Specialist for 6 years. Ashley has been a vital member to the Peer Support Team at LifeSkills. Ashley has worked in programs with adults with severe mental illness and substance use disorders. She has worked with women in the domestic violence shelter. She is Chair person of our CFAC council. Ashley is also a peer support curriculum trainer for LifeSkills.