Announcing the 2025 Sources of Strength Ohio Virtual Conference!

Anyone who is interested in learning more about Sources, regardless of whether you've attended a training in the past or are involved in implementation.  We'll have breakouts for every level of experience.  

Register Here

Radically Strength Based: An Introduction to Sources of Strength
This session will delve into the history and philosophy of the Sources of Strength program, underscoring its evidence-based effectiveness in upstream prevention, fostering well-being, and empowering a well world.  This session invites participants to engage with core elements of the model, applying a strength-based framework to enhance their well-being and that of their communities.

LaTreece Roby, Ed.D, Director of Secondary Programs

Dr. Roby obtained her Doctorate of Education from Alverno University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Dr. Roby's doctoral research predominantly centered on public health concerns, with her dissertation titled "Community Member Involvement in School-Based Prevention:  Bridging Gaps to Adult Connection in Educational Institutions",  reflecting her dedication to addressing critical issues at the intersection of education and public health.  She lives in Kennesaw, GA with her husband, three children and their dog Coco "The Dobe" Roby.  Before joining the Sources of Strength team, Dr. Roby worked in substance use prevention supporting community coalitions and community prevention alliance workgroups in several different counties throughout Georgia.  When Dr. Roby is not trying to empower a well world you can find her on the sidelines watching one of her children play soccer, basketball, tennis or even break dancing.

Erin Horn - Ohio Regional Coordinator & Trainer
Erin Horn is the Ohio Regional Coordinator & Trainer for Sources of Strength working out of Cincinnati, Ohio.  Erin joined the Sources team after spending the last 5 years working in mental health education and suicide prevention.  Prior to working in the prevention space, Erin was a high school Business Education teacher.  Erin graduated from Miami University with a degree in Marketing and received her 7-12 English Education licensure from Xavier University.  Erin currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and three energetic boys.  Erin draws strength from yoga class, walks in the sun, laying under her 100-year-old oak tree, spending time with family, and talking with friends.  

Lori Ring - National Elementary Trainer
Lori Ring is a National Elementary Trainer with Sources of Strength.  Her Master of Arts degree in Counseling led her to gaining professional experience as a mental health therapist, serving both youth and adults, and later working as an elementary school counselor.  It was during those school counselor years that Lori was introduced to Sources of Strength and was invited to pilot the initial 3rd-6th grade curriculum for the organization in 2019.  That experience hooked Lori on Sources' upstream approach to bring Hope, Help, and Strength to elementary aged students in fun and engaging ways.  Lori often draws strength from family and friends or by carving out some quiet alone time.  In the summer months, her spirit is lifted by beautifully edged sidewalks and driveways she sees while on her daily walks. 

Jarrod Hindman -  Sources of Strength Chief Operating Officer
Jarrod Hindman is the Chief Operating Officer at Sources of Strength, an innovative and growing wellness-focused organization working in schools and communities throughout the U.S. with a vision to empower a well world.  Jarrod oversees the day-to-day operations of Sources of Strength, helps set the strategic direction of the organization, and engages with existing and potential partners, providing suicide prevention, public health, and community development expertise.  Jarrod is passionate about innovative, collaborative, community-driven approaches to wellness-focused prevention and health promotion.

Prior to joining Sources of Strength, Jarrod was the Vice President of Community Development at LivingWorks for two+ years and spent fifteen years as the deputy Chief of the Violence and Injury Prevention-Mental health Promotion Branch and the Director of the Office of Suicide Prevention at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Evi Roberts, Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation
As the Youth Program and Policy Manager at the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, Evi Roberts manages projects related to youth suicide prevention, including Be Present Ohio and Sources of Strength Ohio.  She has nine years of experience in Ohio's prevention field at the state and local levels as a trainer, presenter, grant administrator, and project manager.  Evi earned her Master of Public Administration from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Arts in cultural anthropology from The Ohio State University.

Mark Koontz, Clark County Educational Service Center
Mark Koontz is a Masters level Art Therapist with sixteen years' experience in school-based mental health therapy.  In the past seven years, he has worked as the Mental Health and Behavioral Health Department's Supervisor for Clark County's ESC.  He has obtained his OCPSA from The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professional board and is currently working on his OCPS.  He is part of his local PPLC, was previously the Chair of the Clark County Suicide Prevention Coalition and is still a member.  He has a passion for Sources of Strength.  He is a local trainer who implements trainings and monthly meetings at his county schools.  

Kim Stephens, Clark County Educational Service Center
Kim Stephens is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Social Worker, and Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor with Supervisory Designation.  She has over 30 years of clinical experience working with diverse populations in both mental health and substance abuse treatment.  Kim enjoys working with adults and adolescents but has worked extensively with adolescents in both substance abuse and mental health settings.  She developed and facilitated the first adolescent intensive outpatient program in the area and has collaborated with courts and schools.

Kim has worked at Clark County Educational Services Center for the past five years as a part of their Mental Health Team and provides Counseling services to students in Clark County Ohio.  Kim has been facilitating the Sources of Strength Program at Global Impact Stem Academy for the past three years and as a part of that program coordinates an all-school event each year implemented by peer leaders to provide a hands-on-experience for all students to immerse themselves in the program and its strength building concepts/activities.

Meagan Joseph, Impact Prevention
Meagan Joseph works for Impact Prevention in Ironton, Ohio where she serves as program manager and an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant.  She is also a proud graduate of Ohio University's Executive Master of Public Administration program.  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!

Keynote:  Empowering a Well World Through Connection, Belonging and Dignity
Explore the transformative vision of Empowering a Well World through intentional design for connection, belonging, and dignity.  Drawing from Sources of Strength practices and the wisdom of belonging science, experiential learning, and cultural inclusion, this address invites participants to reimagine what it means to build truly inclusive communities.  Through storytelling, research insights, and practical tools, this conversation highlights how we can move from passive participation to active engagement, creating communities where everyone feels seen, valued, and empowered.  

Sources Wellness Fair: One Approach to HB123
Sources is approved to help schools reach compliance with the requirements of HB123, also known as the SAVE Students Act.  Tune in for a brief explanation of HB123 and how Sources can be implemented to align with the legislation.  Then, learn how one Clark County school has created a new tradition to grow students' Strengths and comply with HB123 through their annual Sources Wellness Fair.

Embrace the Journey: Discover new Elementary 3rd-5th Grade Curricula
Discover newly developed 3rd-5th grade curricula designed to foster growth, resilience, and connection.  Explore key components, adaptable activities, and strategies for creating supportive learning environments.  Gain practical insights through interactive discussions and demonstrations to bring these curricula to live in your schools.

Strength Versus Stigma:  Bringing Hope, Help, and Strength to Appalachia
Appalachia is rich with natural beauty, but many families find themselves living in poverty or impacted by the social, physical, and psychological impacts of the opioid epidemic.  In 2021, Impact Prevention received a grant to spread Sources of Strength in Southern Ohio, but they quickly identified a primary barrier:  stigma associated with the word, "suicide".  Some Peer Leaders have dropped out of a Sources training even after hearing the "Hope, Help, Strength" not "Sad, Shock, Trauma" targeted messaging because they do not feel comfortable discussing the issue.  Some schools initially were reserved when adopting the program.  With this in mind, however, as campaigns began, the "Hope, Help, Strength" viewpoint became more pervasive.--This presentation will focus on the work, successes, and barriers overcome by the 15 Sources of Strength teams in Lawrence and Scioto Counties, including examples of activities they've led to build Strengths in their communities. 

Work the Wheel:  Applying Sources of Strength to Workplace Well-Being
Small, intentional actions can transform workplace well-being.  This interactive session explores how the Sources of Strength Wheel fosters resilience, connection, and a positive culture.  Gain practical strategies to reduce stress, support teams, and integrate wellness into daily routines.  Leave with fresh ideas and actionable takeaways for a thriving workplace.

Sustainable Funding:  Long Term Planning for the Sources Secondary Program
Due to funding and support from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the CARES Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act, Sources of Strength Ohio has provided funding to launch and/or expand over 400 Sources of Strength programs in Ohio.  Funding for future costs is never guaranteed, however, and sometimes additional funding sources can help existing programs grow beyond their original means.  Learn about these options to help pay for annual Secondary Program Trainings, additional Elementary Curricula, and more.

Empower a Well World:  Realizing Sources as a Violence Prevention Program
The Sources of Strength model offers a proactive, strengths-based approach to reducing risk factors and promoting protective influences that create safer, healthier environments.  This session will explore how the Sources of Strength framework can be leveraged to prevent violence by building strong support networks, increasing help-seeking behaviors, and fostering a culture of belonging.  We will also examine research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, which highlights the effectiveness of strength-based interventions in reducing risk factors associated with violence.  Participants will engage in discussions and practical activities that showcase how these strategies can be implemented in schools, workplaces, and communities.  Join us to discover how hope, help, and strenfth can be powerful tools in preventing violence and creating a world where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered.

Register for the SourcesOH one-day conference if you would like…

• An introduction to/review of Sources of Strength and how to bring it to your community at no cost
• To dive into the science between protective factors and their impact on suicide, substance misuse, violence, and other issues that threaten student well-being
• To learn about different implementation options for your school or community
• To meet other people interested in and/or implementing Sources of Strength and want to learn what they’re doing in their communities, including Coaches, Adult Advisors, and Peer Leaders.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about Sources, regardless of whether you’ve attended a training in the past or are involved in implementation. We’ll have breakouts for every level of experience.

Scott LoMurray: Sources CEO, keynote speaker and conference presenter.

Scott LoMurray (he/him) coordinates and facilitates trainings with Sources community partners around the world.  He also oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization and tells a lot of jokes.  Scott lives in Lakewood, CO with his wife and three adorable children.  Scott's go-to strength is engaging in healthy activities by getting outdoors and his favorite hobby is growing facial hair at an incredible rate.

Erin Horn - Ohio Regional Coordinator & Trainer
Erin Horn (she/her) is the Ohio Regional Coordinator & Trainer for Sources of Strength working out of Cincinnati, Ohio.  Erin joined the Sources team after spending the last 5 years working in mental health education and suicide prevention.  Prior to working in the prevention space, Erin was a high school Business Education teacher.  Erin graduated from Miami University with a degree in Marketing and received her 7-12 English Education licensure from Xavier University.  Erin currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and three energetic boys.  Erin draws strength from yoga class, walks in the sun, laying under her 100-year-old oak tree, spending time with family and talking with friends. 

Lori Ring -  National Elementary Trainer
After obtaining her Master of Arts degree in Counseling at the University of North Dakota, Lori (she/her) worked in both in- and outpatient settings providing therapy to youth and adults.  Lori later obtained her school counseling license in the state of North Dakota where she worked as an elementary counselor for nine years.  After piloting the new Sources 3rd-6th grade curriculum in 2019-2020 she was hooked on the upstream approach for the elementary world, and is excited to now be a part of the elementary team!  When Lori is feeling big emotions, she turns to family and friends for support or some quiet alone time to read or go for a walk.  Lori fully enjoys the satisfaction and aesthetic of a freshly edged sidewalk, driveway and landscaping pavers completed by yours truly.  

Steph Disrude - National Elementary Trainer
Steph Disrude (she/her) has been an elementary teacher for over twenty years in the Coastal Redwoods of Northern California.  Her passion for using Sources of Strength in her classroom has led her to a career as a National Elementary Trainer at Sources of Strength.  This change also gave her the opportunity to move to the Grand Canyon!  She finds strength while walking or running among the trees.  

Tarin Cook - Program Operations Support
Tarin (she/her) has a Master of Social Work and is a licensed clinical social worker in Ohio.  With a love of creating organized and accessible systems, Tarin uses her Marie Kondo-inspired outlook in her role as Program Operations Support.  Tarin brings experience working in direct mental health intervention, program development, and program management, specifically focused on work with young people transitioning from the foster care system.  When she's not trying to show people pictures of her dogs Zeke and Bella, you can find Tarin practicing healthy activities such as tending to her plants, exploring her hometown of Cincinnati, listening to podcasts and whatever creative hobby she's decided to fixate on this month.  When she needs help grounding, Tarin draws strength from her partner, family, friends and pups.  

Timmy Foster - National Trainer Mentor
Timmy Foster (he/him) is a National Trainer Mentor for Sources of Strength where he has worked for more than 4 years running Sources of Strength trainings at the Secondary and Community-level throughout the United States and Canada.  Prior to working full-time for the Sources of Strength National Team, Timmy was a Certified Local Trainer throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia in partnership with his board member role with a local non-profit.  He brings prior career experience in LGBTQ+ community partnership development, sales and recruitment with Bank of America and Kohl's Department Stores.  Timmy lives in Washington, DC where he is an avid musical theater fan and stays active with sports and fitness.  

Keynote presented by Sources CEO Scott LoMurray (9:00-10:30am)

Scott will explore the crossroads of mental health and human well-being to help us create a well world.  Join us to learn about the "leading causes of life" and how to integrate them into our lives, families, schools, workplaces, culture, and society.  

Breakout Session 1 (10:45am-12:30pm)

Radically Strength Based: An introduction to Sources of Strength

This session will delve into the history and philosophy of the Sources of Strength program, underscoring its evidence-based effectiveness in upstream prevention, fostering well-being, and empowering a well world.  This workshop invites participants to engage with core elements of the model, applying a strength-based framework to enhance their well-being and that of their communities.

Bring the Joy:  Belonging, Connection, & The Power of Play

Session Description: Play is a powerful tool to cultivate belonging and connection in our schools, homes, and communities.  In this session we will delve into the vital role that joy, laughter, and play have in nurturing climates of greater trust and safety.  Participants will engage in a variety of energizing and calming games utilized in Sources of Strength training and will explore the theory and research behind how play can be used as a powerful facilitation technique in trainings, classrooms, workplaces, and with friends and family.  Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how play can be strategically employed to foster meaningful connections between both youth and adults. 

Breakout Session 2 (1:30pm-3:15pm)

Work the Wheel: Emotional Regulation and Sources of Strength

Session Description:  Emotional regulation is a key component of individual and community well-being, particularly in the nuanced and challenging world of education.  This session will offer participants an opportunity to explore the critical role of emotional regulation in both professional and personal realms.  The session will explore the connections between brain science and emotional regulation, providing a deeper understanding of Sources of Strength framing each topic and an opportunity for self-reflection and application.  Engaging in interactive activities and discussions, attendees will explore practical applications of emotional regulation tools and techniques for themselves and for their interactions with students, colleagues, and loved ones. 

Embrace the Journey: Practical Support for Implementation

 Session Description:  This will be an interactive session focused on Sources of Strength Secondary and Elementary implementation successes and challenges.  Engaging in both large and small group discussions, participants will have the opportunity to celebrate their successes and collaboratively address challenges encountered along the path to empowering a well world.  This session fosters a solutions-focused approach, encouraging a growth mindset and building a strong foundation for implementation.  Attendees will benefit from collaborative dialogue and cross-training experiences, enhancing their ability to implement the program effectively.  This session is not just about sharing knowledge; it's about creating connections and fostering statewide collaboration to amplify the impact of the Sources of Strength program.

Breakout Session 3 (3:30-4:30pm)

Coaches Panel:  Hear from a panel of Coaches about implementing the Sources of Strength Elementary Program.  Opportunity for participants to submit questions to the panel as well.  

Peer Leader Panel:  Hear from a panel of Peer Leaders about their experience spreading Hope, Help, and Strength into their school.  Opportunity for participants to submit questions to the panel as well.  

Register for the Secondary Booster Training if you would like…

• To deepen your knowledge of the Secondary Program for 7-12
• To build buy-in for launching or expanding a Sources program with admin, faculty, parents, and the wider community
• To build your training and/or Peer Leader meeting facilitation skills
• To meet other Secondary Trainers, Coordinators, and Adult Advisors and want to learn what they’re doing in their communities.

Anyone who has attended a Training for Trainers (T4T), Secondary Program Coordinator Training, or Adult Advisor Training, regardless of whether you’re actively training or implementing the Sources of Strength Secondary Program.

Erin Horn - Ohio Regional Coordinator and Trainer
Erin Horn (she/her) is the Ohio Regional Coordinator & Trainer for Sources of Strength working out of Cincinnati, OH.  Erin joined the Sources team after spending the last 5 years working in mental health education and suicide prevention.  Prior to working in the prevention space, Erin was a high school Business Education teacher.  Erin graduated from Miami University with a degree in Marketing and received her 7-12 English Education licensure from Xavier University.  Erin currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and three energetic boys.  Erin draws strength from yoga class, walks in the sun, laying under her 100-year-old oak tree, spending time with family, and talking with friends.  

Timmy Foster - National Trainer Mentor
Timmy Foster (he/him) is a National Trainer Mentor for Sources of Strength where he has worked for more than four years running Sources of Strength trainings at the Secondary and Community level throughout the United States and Canada.  Prior to working full-time for the Sources of Strength National Team, Timmy was a Certified Local Trainer throughout the District of Columbia,  Maryland and Virginia in partnership with his board member role with a local non-profit.  He brings prior career experience in LGBTQ+ community partnership development, sales and recruitment with Bank of America and Kohl's Department Stores.  Timmy lives in Washington D.C. where he is an avid musical theater fan and stays active with sports and fitness.  

Tarin Cook - Program Operations Support
Tarin (she/her) has a Master of Social Work and is a licensed clinical social worker in Ohio.  With a love of creating organized and accessible systems, Tarin uses her Marie Kondo-inspired outlook in her role as Program Operations Support.  Tarin brings experience working in direct mental health intervention, program development, and program management, specifically focused on work with young people transitioning from the foster care system.  When she's not trying to show people pictures of her dogs Zeke and Bella, you can find Tarin practicing healthy activities such as tending to her plants, exploring her hometown of Cincinnati, listening to podcasts, and whatever creative hobby she's decided to fixate on this month.  When she needs help grounding, Tarin draws strength from her partner, family, friends and pups.  

Sesson Description:  Prepare to supercharge your role as an Adult Advisor, Coordinator, or Trainer with our Sources of Strength Secondary Booster Training!  This dynamic session is designed to empower you with the tools and insights needed to elevate your Sources of Strength program.  Dive deep into new and existing resources while foraging invaluable connections with peers across the state.  Collaborate with the National Sources of Strength Training Team and local teammates to troubleshoot, share best practices, and unleash the full potential of your program.

Learning Objectives:
-Unlock Implementation Insights:  Delve into a treasure trove of implementation resources tailored for Trainers, Adult Advisors and Coordinators, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively utilize them.

- Conquer Implementation Challenges:  Learn from the experiences of seasoned peers as you identify strategies to overcome implementation hurdles and develop actionable next steps for success.

-Ignite Campaign Integration:  Explore a variety of campaign topics and brainstorm innovative methods to seamlessly integrate them into existing school and community events, amplifying their impact.

-Cultivate Connections:  Foster meaningful connections and collaboration among those spearheading Sources of Strength initiatives at the Secondary level, building a network of support and shared expertise.