Keynote: Ben Miller, LPCC-S, Suicide Prevention Project Specialist - Center for Suicide Prevention & Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital
Ben is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisor designation who manages a state-wide digital youth suicide prevention program and provides training and consultation to school, community and health care partners on best practices in addressing concerns for suicide. Prior to this, he gained significant experience providing mental health care in multiple high acuity and community care settings.
Breakout A1: Daniel Bennett, OCPC, Chief Strategy Officer - Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation
Daniel is an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant who supports the ongoing growth and development of Ohio’s network of Suicide Prevention Coalitions while working on the Ohio Coalition Institute and the Life Side Ohio Campaign. Daniel also works on advocacy and legislative issues, organizing OSPF’s partners to help advocate for suicide prevention. He has previously years of experience with local coalitions as well as universal school-based suicide prevention including Sources of Strength and Signs of Suicide. Daniel has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Akron. When he isn’t at work or coaching baseball, his free time is dedicated to the outdoors.
Breakout A2: Katie Bruening, MSW, OCPSA, Youth Programs and Training Manager - 1N5
Katie, an Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant, supports the development and implementation of impactful mental health initiatives for youth at 1N5. Katie is a Local Trainer for Sources of Strength in Southwest Ohio, where she oversees the implementation and sustainability of 84 elementary and secondary school programs across five different counties. She also moderates 1N5's Youth Council for Suicide Prevention, a group of young leaders who collaborate to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote peer-driven mental health support and prevention efforts within their schools and communities. Katie is dedicated to equipping young people with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate challenges, build resilience, and seek help when needed.
Breakout A2: Khila Fields, OCPSA, Youth Training and Athletic Program Manager - 1N5
Khila is an Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant who supports and oversees more than 60 partner schools implementing the Sources of Strength program at the secondary level. She is passionate about advancing youth mental health and wellness through innovative, strengths-based approaches. Khila is currently developing a girls’ athletics mental health initiative focused on resilience, mental wellness, fueling like an athlete, and teamwork. Her work bridges athletics and mental health education, empowering young athletes to thrive both on and off the field while fostering supportive, connected school communities.
Breakout B1: Tracy Vivo, M.Ed, Superintendent License, OCPSA, Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator - Lowellville Local School District
In her current role, Tracy works closely with Miami University, the Department of Behavioral Health and Ohio Department of Education. She holds her Superintendent License and Administrative Specialist license in curriculum, instruction and professional development. She’s a certified prevention specialist, Sources of Strength Trainer, K- 6 Elementary Coach and Secondary Program Coordinator, as well as a Teen Mental Health First Aid instructor, Trauma Informed Care 101 Trainer and holds experience in the realm of higher education. An article regarding her past work was published in the OAESA Principal Navigator and she’s been recognized as an ATHENA Leadership Award finalist. Her current focus lies in developing engaging programming and promoting positive upstream prevention education and programming for youth in grades K-12.
Breakout B2: Christi Valentini-Lackner, OCPC, Chief Program Officer - PreventionFIRST!
Christi is an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant (OCPC) with over 23 years of experience in the field of prevention, including many years at PreventionFIRST!; an organization that aims to change or influence multiple community conditions and circumstances to reduce community level risk factors and increase protective factors. Christi graduated from Ohio University with a B.A. in Psychology. Currently, Christi is the Vice President of Ohio Prevention Professionals Association (OPPA) formerly ADAPAO. She is also the 2016 recipient of the ADAPAO Advocate Award. She has experience working in schools, directing coalitions, and facilitating training and technical assistance opportunities. Building prevention capacity is her favorite part of her job. She is an avid reader and has two dogs and a cat. Her husband is a high school geometry teacher. They are both big time nerds.
Breakout C1: Meagan Joseph, OCPC, Program Manager - Impact Prevention
Meagan Joseph is an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant, a proud graduate of Ohio University’s Executive Master of Public Administration program, and is based in Ironton, Ohio. While she began her career as a high school Japanese language teacher, her heart led her to the field of prevention in 2019. In Ohio, she acts as a Network Leader and Regional Trainer for the Sources of Strength program, doing her best to expand it as far as she can reach!
Breakout C1: Haley Shamblin, OCPSA, Prevention Manager - Impact Prevention
Haley Shamblin is an Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant from Southern Ohio. She has a bachelor’s degree in Intervention Specialist and four years of experience as a special educator. In 2016, she made the decision to leave teaching and join her mentor Mollie Stevens at Impact Prevention. From her involvement as a teen, she knew the difference that being involved in youth-led prevention made and wanted to pass that onto youth in her region. She enjoys working with youth of all ages and loves seeing the empowerment that youth-led prevention gives. Haley also enjoys spending time with her children, playing games and being outdoors.
Breakout C2: Jennie Canganelli, M.Ed., OCPC, Student Wellness Consultant - ESC of Northeast Ohio
Jennie is a licensed School Counselor and Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant and a part of the Student Wellness Department at the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio. Her focus has been developing, coordinating, and providing prevention programs and services to students, staff and families to educate, promote healthy choices, and build resiliency in young people. Jennie has been a Sources Trainer for 5 years and has trained schools all over Northern Ohio in both the Secondary and Elementary Programs.
Breakout C2: Holly Jacobson, M.Ed., OCPC, Student Wellness Consultant - ESC of Northeast Ohio
Holly is an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant, a licensed School Counselor and is part of the Student Wellness Department at the ESC of Northeast Ohio. With her main focus in prevention, Holly has been providing education to students and parents covering many different aspects of social media, youth led and suicide prevention for over 10 years. Holly has been a Sources Trainer for nearly 6 years and has trained schools all over Northern Ohio in both the Secondary and Elementary Programs.
