About Us

The Great Lakes ROTA-RC is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide training and technical assistance (TA) to the rural communities of Health and Human Services Region 5:  Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Collaboratively, we develop and strengthen community capacity to prevent, treat, and support recovery for opioid use disorder and other mental health and substance use disorders, using a whole family/whole community approach to provide culturally appropriate educational opportunities. Through Cooperative Extension state programs, we employ evidence-based/emerging practices and provide virtual and/or on-demand education for rural community members on mental health and substance use disorders in the workplace, substance use education, and other relevant topics in mental health and substance use disorders. In communities with indigenous populations, the project co-creates culturally responsive, holistic health education and resources.

Great Lakes ROTA-RC Team

Regional Center Staff

Jen Park-Mroch, PhD

Program Director

Randy Brown, MD, PhD, DFASAM

Co-Program Director

Amanda Coorough, MSSA

Program Manager

Maureen Fitzgerald, BA

Communications Specialist

Jenna Klink, MPH

Evaluation Specialist

Lauren Doyle

Project Assistant

Mike Blaser, OPLM

WI Project Consultant

State Project Staff

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IL State Project Director

Robin Ridgely, M.ED

IL State Project Family Life Educator

Stephanie Woodcox, MPH, CHES

IN State Project Director

IN Behavioral Health Specialist

Lauren Kennedy, PhD

MI State Project Director

Mary Jo Katras, PhD

MN State Project Director

Michael Betz, PhD

OH State Project Director

Kelly Cabral, MA

OH State Project Co-Director

State Partners

ILLINOIS

The Illinois project is lead by Anne Silvis, Susan Odum, and Robin Ridgely of the University of Illinois.

Michigan

Minnesota

Wisconsin

Advisory Board

This block pattern groups sections together with alternating background colors – like stripes. To create more than four sections, you can add a second instance of the pattern or duplicate a section. If you add more sections, be sure to continue to alternate the background colors. You can also change the background color to something other than a subtle gray.

Melissa Aaron, MSW, LSW

Clinical Coordinator, Substance Use Services, Centerstone

ILLINOIS REPRESENTATIVE

Cynthia Baade, C.P.R.S.R.

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Project Clean Start

MINNESOTA REPRESENTATIVE

Megan Barnett, PS, CHES

Manager, Community Health

WISCONSIN REPRESENTATIVE

Charmin Gabbard, BS, CADAC II

Executive Director

INDIANA REPRESENTATIVE

Tory Werth, LMSW, CAADC, CCS-DP, RCP

Clinical Therapist, Recovery Coach, Trainer

MICHIGAN REPRESENTATIVE

Jeanne Pulvermacher

Outreach Program Director, CHESS

GREAT LAKES TTC PARTNER

TBD

Coming Soon…

OHIO REPRESENTATIVE

Support Extension