Cherene Caraco, CPSS, QMHP, QDDP, CESP
In 2006, Caraco founded the Charlotte-based non-profit, Promise Resource Network (PRN), that operates 16 open access initiatives that are led and staffed by a team of 85 people who are psychiatric, suicide attempt, trauma, substance use, incarceration and houselessness survivors. In 2019, PRN started Peer Voice NC as a statewide movement of people directly impacted by mental health issues to organize and mobilize around legislative and practice change. This legislative session, they introduced four bills with bi-partisan support that are aimed at reducing the use of mental health related confinement, establishing open access peer-run alternatives to psychiatric commitment, and introducing non-police community response alternatives with people experiencing mental health, poverty related and/or substance use crises. Cherene is a national and international recovery consultant and works with professionals, systems, states, organizations and peers to understand and facilitate recovery as well as elevate the profession of peer support to ensure that its integrity and authenticity are maintained. Cherene has been providing peer support training throughout the country since 2007 and has written several peer support curricula and presented at numerous conferences.
Kristin Lukasiewicz, LCSW
Ms. Lukasiewicz (Luke-a-shev-its) is a licensed clinical social worker with a certificate in substance abuse studies and has additional training in providing clinical supervision. She received an undergraduate degree in rehabilitation psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a master’s degree in social work from UNC-Chapel Hill. She joined the Center in March of 2011 when XDS Inc. merged its community- based services with the outpatient clinic. She worked on the XDS/Chatham ACT team in various capacities from 2007 – 2022, with a majority her years of employment in the team leader position. Transitioning to a new role with in the Center, she began with the Institute for Best Practices in January 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience in community mental health services in both direct practice and team leadership.
Ariel Reynolds, MSW
IPS Consultant and Trainer with the Institute for Best Practices. Ariel has worked in a variety of fields over the past decade. Her background includes case management for homeless persons, family advocacy for survivors of intimate partner violence, and long-term housing and therapeutic support for people working to overcome substance use. In the past three years, Ariel has greatly enjoyed her work with the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health, assisting with healing farm recovery programs, and working as part of the IPS Supported Employment Team. Ariel believes that meaningful employment is an integral part of the recovery process for people with mental illness. She believes that anyone can achieve their career goals with the right supports. As a trainer, Ariel is eager to spread the message of IPS and help individuals throughout North Carolina to realize their employment dreams.
Robin Soderena, BA
Robin Soderena, B.A., QMHP, is a Human Services Program Consultant II in the Community Mental Health Section of NC DMH/DD/SUS. She earned her degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Robin has extensive experienced working within the state mental health and human services system providing program oversight, policy development and review. She has provided support to strengthen the NC Mental Health system and to improve the well- being and independence of individuals living with mental health needs, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has held roles including: Mental Health Program Coordinator, Regulatory Complaint Investigator, Compliance Auditor, Program Evaluator, Habilitation Program Supervisor, and Case Manager.
Larry Swabe, MS
Larry Swabe has over a decade of experience working with the NC Olmstead Settlement, Transitions to Community Living (TCL), within the NC LME/MCO system. He provided programmatic and policy leadership for all aspects of TCL at both Alliance Health and Cardinal Innovations. He earned a Master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Change and has extensive leadership experience in the areas of mental health, substance use and intellectual developmental disabilities. After 35 years of public service in NC, Larry is semi-retired and consulting with TAC as a coach/trainer for provider agencies to improve the quality of community support services.
Jimmy Treires, MS, LCMHC
Jimmy Treires, MS, LCMHC, is an Adult Mental Health Program Coordinator in the Community Mental Health Section of NC DMH/DD/SAS. His undergraduate degree is in Economics from Millersville University. In 2010 he received a dual master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and Vocational Evaluation from East Carolina University. He has been working in Mental Health and Substance Abuse since 2009. His most recent position before his current was as the Vocational Specialist for an ACT team where he practiced the IPS model. Prior to that he has experience working in SAIOP/drug court, Vocational Rehabilitation, and case management. In his current role, he works with Individual Placement and Supports (IPS) and First Episode Psychosis (FEP).
Part of his role in the Community Mental Health Section is assisting with the implementation of the evidenced based practice of IPS through Technical Assistance and Fidelity Evaluations. With FEP teams, he is working on the implementation/support of IPS on these teams. Jimmy believes that all individuals can achieve personal growth and self-actualization, and ultimately reach their highest potential. When he is not working, he enjoys playing tennis, listening to music, drinking coffee, traveling with his family, and having a good time!
Robin has worked on the Adult Mental Health team since 2014, where her focus has concentrated on the improvement of implementation of evidence based practices for adults living with mental illness and the importance of employment and recovery. Robin believes that all people should have access to resources they need to be able to live independently in their community to the fullest extent that they choose, without barriers and stigma.
Laura Woody, LCSW
Laura Woody has over 20 years of experience in social services. She excels at team leadership, empowering leaders, and implementing data-driven programs. Laura most recently served as Chief Program Officer at Shelter House in Fairfax, VA, overseeing programs, budgets, coaching leaders, and system development. Laura's expertise lies in coaching, program development, training, and executive leadership, making her uniquely suited to guide teams. She holds a Master's in Social Work from the University of Minnesota and is licensed in DC and Virginia. Laura works as a nonprofit consultant and as a subcontractor for the Technical Assistance Collaborative. She enjoys living in Northern Virginia with her family.
Theresa Young (she, her, hers)
Theresa Young has 15 years of experience in human services in clinical, administrative, and senior leadership roles with specialization in working with individuals experiencing homelessness and people who use drugs. She has extensive experience designing and implementing low-threshold harm reduction programming that reduces barriers to accessing housing and other systems of care. Ms. Young has worked on payment reform for opioid treatment programs, implementing national standards for the peer workforce, designing programs and services to meet underserved populations, and coaching behavioral health providers to deliver comprehensive community-based services. She has also provided training in communities on harm reduction, assertive outreach and engagement, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed de-escalation.
The Tenancy Support Training Series is a group of trainings developed by the Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC), in conjunction with the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS). These introductory trainings are designed to assist providers in navigating important areas that impact successful community integration. They are rooted in the belief that all people have the right to live, love, work, learn, play, and pursue their dreams in the community of their choice.