Dr. Sarah Reives-Houston
Sarah Reives-Houston, Ph.D., PsyD (ABD) is the Director of Behavioral Health Springboard at the UNC School of Social Work. She has a Ph.D. in education psychology from Capella University and is completing her PsyD in clinical psychology and trauma from California Southern University. Dr. Reives-Houston is certified as a family trauma specialist and as a child and adolescent trauma specialist and engages in research and conducts training on recognizing, managing, and mitigating the impacts of trauma on client populations and service providers. Prior to coming to UNC, she was on the faculty at NC Central University, where she taught courses and oversaw research projects and evaluation programs. She has also developed training and curriculum materials on mental health, substance abuse, systems of care for individuals and families.
Soumya Palreddy, PhD
Soumya (pronunciation: SOH-myuh, she/her) is a restorative justice practitioner, licensed psychologist, and national trainer. Bringing warmth and energy, she promotes transformative change in the areas of mental health literacy, equity, and restorative justice. Her journey facilitating changes in communities started with planning and implementing prevention programming at a rape crisis center. Currently, Soumya provides consultation to organizations and schools to cultivate equity and implement restorative justice school-wide. She is also a National Trainer for Mental Health First Aid. In addition to being a National Trainer, Soumya was instrumental in the rewrite of Adult MHFA 2.0, Youth MHFA 2.0, and the associated train-the-training programs. Prior to consulting, Soumya served as an Associate Director at Mental Health Services at the University of Wisconsin- Madison.
Ian Lowe, MA
Ian (pronunciation: EE - uh n, he/him) is a Wisconsin-based educator with 15 years of classroom teaching experience. As a teacher and student advisor, Ian mentor students and staff on how to center justice and equity through course and project design. These projects are grounded in essential questions which contain multiple avenues for teachers and learners to access knowledge, develop new skills and demonstrate learning. As a school-based Restorative Justice practitioner, he developed and sustained a partnership with the YWCA (in Madison, WI), weaving Restorative Practices into myriad aspects of the teaching and learning environments throughout the school. Ian’s pedagogical approach is also heavily influenced by his experience with interdisciplinary instruction and project- based learning. His work in developing collaborative, interdisciplinary, and project-based work with students was captured in Wisconsin Public Radio’s Classroom Frequency, which aired in June 2019 and was awarded a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Education.
Suzanne Pearlman
Suzanne Pearlman (she/her) is a national expert in curricula development and training programs, with a specialization in cultural adaptations aimed at promoting equity and access. She has over 20 years of experience designing and implementing innovative curricula content, particularly within Indigenous and rural communities, education systems, and corporate environments.
As a National Trainer for Mental Health First Aid since 2013, she has facilitated train-the-trainer experiences for thousands of new Instructors, as well as provided ongoing community mentorship programming, with a focus on empowering individuals to become proficient Instructors.
Her insights and input have significantly contributed to the refinement and effectiveness of these programs, ensuring they remain responsive to the evolving needs of diverse populations.
Prior to her consulting work, Ms. Pearlman spearheaded behavioral health system transformation efforts at state and national levels.
Nina Muller
Nina Muller serves as the School Behavioral Health Program Specialist in a joint position between the Division of Child and Family Wellbeing at DHHS and the Behavioral Health Springboard at UNC Chapel Hill. Prior to this position, Nina worked as a bilingual, animal-assisted School Social Worker in Denver, Colorado, where she evaluated, wrote, and implemented IEPs and 504s, provided short-term counseling services and crisis management for students and their families, and engaged in resource referral and coordination for school-based therapeutic services. Nina has also worked as a school-based therapist, an equine-assisted therapist, and a Spanish tutor and teacher's assistant. A proud graduate of Chapel Hill High School, Nina received her BA in Psychology and Spanish from Carleton College, and her MSW at the University of Denver, with certificates in School Social Work and Animal-Assisted Social Work. Nina holds an LCSW in both North Carolina and Colorado.
Felicia Gibson Ph.D.
Felicia Gibson, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in Durham, North Carolina. She works at the Center for Child and Family Health (CCFH), a community non-profit and National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) Category III site. Dr. Gibson is co-director of the Trauma-Informed Leadership Team (TILT) initiative, a partnership between CCFH and Durham Public Schools. Through this initiative, Dr. Gibson provides trauma specific training as well as on-going consultation and support to multiple schools across the district with the goal of tilting each schools practices to be more trauma informed. In addition to her work in schools, Dr. Gibson conducts comprehensive trauma-informed mental health assessments and treatment for children who have been adopted and provides evidenced-based treatments to address oppositional behavior, symptoms of traumatic stress, and attachment related concerns. With over 15 years of experience working in schools in Tennessee, Florida, and North Carolina, Dr. Gibson has a solid understanding of the education system and the importance of trauma-informed services for students and school staff.
Amaris Sampson MSW, LCSW, CSSW
District Mental Health Specialist | Durham Public Schools
Amaris Sampson is an experienced mental health professional with a diverse background in various settings and workplaces including inpatient treatment for mental health and substance use, community based agencies, utilization review experience for all levels of care, and school based settings for both short and long term suspensions. Amaris earned a Masters in Social Work from North Carolina State University and obtained her full clinical social work license in 2020. In her current role as the District Mental Health Specialist for Durham Public Schools, Amaris has led a number of programs and has emerged as leader in DPS for the DHHS State Initiative for Youth and Teen Mental Health First Aid. In addition to being an instructor for both Youth and Teen Mental Health first aid, Amaris is also trained as an instructor for Restorative practices. Amaris currently oversees all of the Co-located mental health agencies in the district that provide school based therapy services to students. Additionally, she has modernized standard operating procedures and data collection for this program. Amaris supports the district in training for safety assessments while consulting with school teams on complex mental health challenges and re-entry planning for students returning to school following a mental health crisis.Amaris has a heart of service that is focused on advocating for all students while removing barriers to care that can impact their success.
Cherice Artis, MS, EdS, ABD
K-12 School Counseling Coordinator|Durham Public Schools
Cherice Artis is a seasoned professional with over two decades of dedicated service in school counseling. In her current role as the K-12 School Counseling Coordinator for Durham Public Schools, Cherice has championed the development and implementation of comprehensive school counseling programs tailored to address the specific needs of students within the district. She has been instrumental in fostering safe and inclusive environments by spearheading bullying prevention initiatives and character development programs across all grade levels. Driven by her passion for empowering students, Cherice pursued advanced education, earning her Educational Specialist degree in Advanced School Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Currently, she is on the path to obtaining her doctorate degree at North Carolina State University in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Cherice Artis has played a pivotal role in implementing student support services aimed at providing inspiration and advocacy, committed to shaping brighter futures for generations to come.
Gradesa Lockhart, Ed.D
Director STOP Violence Grant|Durham Public Schools
Dr. Gradesa Lockhart is an experienced educational leader, who is currently serving as the Director of the STOP Violence Grant for the Durham Public Schools. The STOP Violence grant is an opportunity for students, teachers, officers, and families to gain additional knowledge regarding mental health challenges, implementation of restorative practices, application of social emotional learning skills, and increased use of anonymous reporting systems. Dr.Lockhart serves four of the five comprehensive high schools in Durham Public Schools in the areas of professional learning, coaching, & data analysis, and instructional walkthroughs. With twenty-seven years of educational experience, she has served as a K-12 school administrator in Alamance, Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools, Orange, Guilford, and Vance Counties, with multiple tenures in three of the counties during her twenty-one years of school leadership. Dr. Lockhart has a BA in Biology from UNC-CH, a BA in Middle School Math & Science from NCCU, a Masters in School Administration from NCA&TU, and her Ed.D. in educational leadership from Gardner Webb University. She currently lives in Mebane, NC. Dr. Lockhart is a trained Restorative Practices Trainer and also a Youth and Teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor. She takes great pleasure in serving the students, teachers, officers of DPS and is dedicated to decreasing school and community violence.
Dr. Corliss Thompson-Drew
Dr. Corliss Thompson-Drew, Director of School Psychology for the Wake County Public Schools, has a Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical School Psychology. Dr. Thompson-Drew has 40+ years of experience in school psychology and education as a practitioner and university faculty member. Dr. Thompson-Drew has extensive training in comprehensive school safety and intervention, emergency and crisis management, and mental and behavioral health. An area of particular professional interest is suicide prevention and intervention. Dr. Thompson-Drew is a PREPaRE Trainer for school crisis prevention and intervention, a Certified Instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid and teen Mental Health First Aid, and a Restorative Practices Trainer. Dr. Thompson-Drew holds certification as School Suicide Prevention Specialist from the American Association of Suicidology. Dr. Thompson-Drew is a member of the North Carolina School Psychologists Association’s Professional Practice Committee and co-chair of the School Safety and Crisis Committee.
Tanyetta Sutton
In an interview with Bishop TD Jakes, Tyler Perry stated, “every job, experience, and trials we endure along our journey is not wasted. It creates meaning for the next assignment and purpose for your life.” I agree. My professional experience over the past 24 years has prepared me for this moment. A career that entails being a Case Manager for students and families with the Department of Vocational Rehab, Mental Health/School Liaison for Eastpointe, Local Management Entity, for Duplin, Sampson, Wayne, and Lenoir counties, Intensive In-Home Team Lead/Therapist for multiple mental health agencies, Advocate for students and families as a Social Worker and presently, Senior Administrator - Social Worker/Mental Health Coordinator for Wake County Public School System. In conjunction with working daily for WCPSS, I serve in many leadership roles in the community. I am the President of the School Social Work Association and actively serve on boards advocating for students and families. I absolutely love helping people become aware of the gifts and talents they possess and daring them to dream beyond what they see. As a woman, I desire to excel, as I am a driven personality with great enthusiasm. I am a true go-getter with much confidence and enjoy utilizing my talents, knowledge, skills, and abilities. My strengths are in public speaking and working with people. My education entails a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Safety and Health with a minor in Waste Management from North Carolina A&T State University, Master’s degree in business administration from Central Michigan University and Master’s degree in social work from North Carolina Central University.
Gianna Seminara
Gianna Seminara is a Research Assistant at the UNC School of Social Work. She has been involved with the Operation Polaris: Needs Assessment for School Well-being and Resilience for Students, Staff, and School Community and the Evaluation of the North Carolina’s Division of Social Services Social Work Course projects. Gianna has several years of experience working with youth and families across North Carolina as a youth shelter case manager, LINKS Coordinator and Foster Care 18-21 Case Manager, and in Intensive In-Home Services. She is passionate about improving collaboration across Systems of Care to support family preservation and well-being and professional development on topics related to trauma-informed care, positive youth development, and family-centered practices. Gianna is expected to receive a Master’s of Social Work degree from UNC Chapel Hill in May 2024.
Ruby Brown-Herring
Ruby is the CEO of RBH Wellness Solutions, where she assists businesses, government agencies and nonprofits with creating employee well-being strategies that support mental health at work while improving belonging, engagement, and retention. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from UNC Wilmington and a Master of Education in Student Personnel Services from the University of South Carolina. Ruby has over 20 years of experience in program management, adult, continuing and higher education. She is recognized as a state and national leader in corporate wellness and community mental health education. She served as North Carolina’s first MHFA state coordinator, where she coordinated the state’s initiative to disseminate MHFA across the state. Ruby is currently working with the NC Division of Child and Family Wellbeing to develop and implement a statewide initiative for youth and teen MHFA in schools and youth serving organizations across North Carolina. She also serves as a member of the National Trainers Corps for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, where she trains Mental Health First Aid instructors across the US. Ruby lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and is the mother of college age twin daughters, both of whom have lived experience with mental health challenges.