Professional:
Melissa is a licensed prevention specialist for the state of Utah and has been working in prevention for Southwest Behavioral Health Center for almost 18 years. She is currently the supervisor over Garfield, Iron, Beaver and Kane counites. She oversees prevention services, and coach’s community coalition coordinators in these areas. She started Panguitch Prevention coalition 12+ years ago, and the coalition has been nationally recognized for having the lowest prescription drug rates in the state of Utah, (In 2017, Panguitch students reported 0% use of prescription drugs). When Melissa was the coalition coordinator of the Panguitch Prevention coalition, they were awarded the Utah’s Coalition of the year in 2019. Also, in the same year, she was awarded the Youth Advocate of the year award from the Utah Board of Juvenile Justice for her work with preventing youth substance use and her work to improve the lives of youth and families in the community. Melissa is a graduate of the CADCA National Coalition Academy (3 times) a Communities that Care (CTC) trainer, QPR instructor, youth coalition and HOPE Squad adviser. From 2014-2021 Melissa was a member of the UPCA (Utah Prevention Coalition Association, a coalition of coalitions across the state of Utah) and served as vice-chair and chair for several of those years. She sits on many statewide committees for planning prevention trainings for youth and coalitions. As an advocate for rural community prevention, she has written and been awarded 4 Drug Free Communities Grants, and has written many other grants to bring in resources for the small communities. Melissa has recently gone back to school to pursue a degree in Public Health, and has received a certificate in Community Health Planning and Implementation.
Melissa is a licensed prevention specialist for the state of Utah and has been working in prevention for Southwest Behavioral Health Center for almost 18 years. She is currently the supervisor over Garfield, Iron, Beaver and Kane counites. She oversees prevention services, and coach’s community coalition coordinators in these areas. She started Panguitch Prevention coalition 12+ years ago, and the coalition has been nationally recognized for having the lowest prescription drug rates in the state of Utah, (In 2017, Panguitch students reported 0% use of prescription drugs). When Melissa was the coalition coordinator of the Panguitch Prevention coalition, they were awarded the Utah’s Coalition of the year in 2019. Also, in the same year, she was awarded the Youth Advocate of the year award from the Utah Board of Juvenile Justice for her work with preventing youth substance use and her work to improve the lives of youth and families in the community. Melissa is a graduate of the CADCA National Coalition Academy (3 times) a Communities that Care (CTC) trainer, QPR instructor, youth coalition and HOPE Squad adviser. From 2014-2021 Melissa was a member of the UPCA (Utah Prevention Coalition Association, a coalition of coalitions across the state of Utah) and served as vice-chair and chair for several of those years. She sits on many statewide committees for planning prevention trainings for youth and coalitions. As an advocate for rural community prevention, she has written and been awarded 4 Drug Free Communities Grants, and has written many other grants to bring in resources for the small communities. Melissa has recently gone back to school to pursue a degree in Public Health, and has received a certificate in Community Health Planning and Implementation.
Hobbies:
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Personal:
I have lived in Utah my whole life; many communities from the northern to the southern part of the state. I have been married for 25 years to a Panguitch, outdoor Rambo! My husband is an outdoor enthusiast and hunter, so naturally, I have adapted and become one too. I hunt, I fish, and I love the outdoors. I'm the mother of two kids who are both married, a grandmother to the sweetest little boy, and overjoyed to have another grandson join our family soon. I love all of them! They are my life! We love just hanging out and spending time together. I came from a family of five brothers, so I'm a pretty tough girl, plus, I basically have five bodyguards, so, don't mess with their sister! Family is everything to me. I love spending time with the people I love the most. I LOVE the sun and everything related to it! The beach, water, swimming, tanning, being warm! And I hate the cold, which is funny because I live in one of the coldest places in Utah!
I have lived in Utah my whole life; many communities from the northern to the southern part of the state. I have been married for 25 years to a Panguitch, outdoor Rambo! My husband is an outdoor enthusiast and hunter, so naturally, I have adapted and become one too. I hunt, I fish, and I love the outdoors. I'm the mother of two kids who are both married, a grandmother to the sweetest little boy, and overjoyed to have another grandson join our family soon. I love all of them! They are my life! We love just hanging out and spending time together. I came from a family of five brothers, so I'm a pretty tough girl, plus, I basically have five bodyguards, so, don't mess with their sister! Family is everything to me. I love spending time with the people I love the most. I LOVE the sun and everything related to it! The beach, water, swimming, tanning, being warm! And I hate the cold, which is funny because I live in one of the coldest places in Utah!
Why I chose prevention:
I lucked into a great job 18 years ago! I knew nothing about prevention or substance abuse. I was encouraged to apply for this prevention position because I am outgoing, friendly and loved working with youth. After some time working in prevention I was hooked and I couldn’t imagine why anyone would leave a job like this! It does have it’s ups and downs and frustrations, but I love this work! I love helping families and youth and creating a better community.
I lucked into a great job 18 years ago! I knew nothing about prevention or substance abuse. I was encouraged to apply for this prevention position because I am outgoing, friendly and loved working with youth. After some time working in prevention I was hooked and I couldn’t imagine why anyone would leave a job like this! It does have it’s ups and downs and frustrations, but I love this work! I love helping families and youth and creating a better community.