With incredible speakers and sessions on belonging, new resources, and the latest research, we hope everyone took something away from the event. See below for event details, supplemental resources, as well as recordings of the keynote and breakout sessions.
Topics covered:
See below for supplemental resources and recordings of the keynote and breakout sessions.
Sources Wellness Fair: One Approach to HB123
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Embrace the Journey: Discover new Elementary 3rd-5th Grade Curricula
Strength Versus Stigma: Bringing Hope, Help, and Strength to Appalachia
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Work the Wheel: Applying Sources of Strength to Workplace Well-Being
Sustainable Funding: Long-Term Planning for the Sources Secondary Program
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Empower a Well World: Realizing Sources as a Violence Prevention Program
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.
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.
