Johnson Klierthermes, Andrew, MEd

Andrew Johnson Kliethermes Assistant Director, The Succeed Program with The University of Missouri-St. Louis Andrew Johnson Kliethermes serves as theAssistant Director of Succeed. Andrew has been with Succeed for over 8 years and has over 15 years of experience in business management, employee training, as well as working with individuals with disabilities and their families. Prior to joining Succeed in 2015, Andrew was an Employment Advisor with St Louis Arc. There he was able to collaborate with the leading team; Special School District, Vocational Rehabilitation, SSM St Mary’s Health Center, and St Louis Arc to help facilitate a pilot Vocational Skills Employment Training Program, or V-SET, complete its second year. Andrew holds his Bachelors in Business Administration from Lindenwood University, a Masters in Higher Education and Adult Learning from The University of Missouri-St Louis, and is currently a doctoral student with The University of Missouri-St Louis.

Presentation(s):

Nwokwor, Ejike, MBBS

I had my medical school at University of Jos Nigeria; Completed one year of internship and worked with different organizations and institutions. Started postgraduate training in Psychiatry in Nigeria before moving to USA. I am currently in my 3rd year of Residency training in Psychiatry. My passion for mental health was borne of early life experiences and I have special in Community Psychiatry and Addiction.

Presentation(s):

Digitization of Vulnerability – Social Media and Mental Health

Burries, Cassandra

Cassandra Burries has been a member of Independence Center for over 9 years, where she is also on the Board of Directors.  In addition, she has been on the Clubhouse International Advisory Board for the past 8 years.  Cassandra is a MO certified Peer Specialist and has been working on the ITCD team (Integrated Treatment for Co-occurring Disorders) at BJC Behavioral Health for the past 7 years.  She also recently obtained a certificate in Pregnant and Parenting Families.
Presentation(s):

Matlock, Tanya, MA

Tanya Matlach has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL).  She worked at Youth in Need for about 8 years as a Hispanic community support worker.  She completed a master’s in counseling from UMSL in 2010.  Tanya has been a member of Independence Center’s Clubhouse for 4 years, where she facilitates weekly Dual Recovery and Clubhouse Orientation meetings. She is also a Missouri Certified Peer Specialist.

Presentation(s):

Restoring Lives -The Clubhouse Model Approach to Recovery

Thomas, Andy, MA, CCJP, MARS

Andy Thomas is the Housing Director for Missouri Coalition of Recovery Support Providers (MCRSP). He has extensive history in criminal justice by working as an institutional parole officer, field officer, intensive supervision officer, drug court officer, and as a supervisor. After retiring from Missouri Probation & Parole, he worked as a counselor for the federal program and drug court program through Reality House Programs in Columbia, MO. He has a BA in Criminal Justice as well as an MA. He currently has certification in substance use counseling with a CCJP, MARS, and CPSS.

Presentation(s):

Super Session: Missouri Housing Resources

Kemna, Kelli, MSW

Kelli Kemna is the Housing Director for Missouri Department of Mental Health. Kelli administers Department of Mental Health’s Shelter Plus Care, Show Me Recovery Housing, VA GPD, Rental Assistance Program, PATH, SOAR and Housing Liaison projects throughout Missouri. These duties include providing technical assistance to housing centers to ensure grant compliance, fiscal management, working with coordinated entry systems to obtain referrals, writing policies and procedures for the implementation of the grants, writing policy for various Continuums of Care and advocating for equitable affordable housing options for those experiencing mental health or substance use issues. For the previous decade, Kelli ran the gamut of housing positions from supportive services to administration. The variety of experiences gives her a unique perspective on the homelessness and housing system. Her work is directed by the beliefs that everyone has the right to housing regardless of history or current circumstances and homelessness is a solvable problem through continuous improvement in housing choice. These core beliefs make her a great champion for housing first and finding creative strategies to the barriers faced in addressing homelessness and housing instability.
Presentation(s):

Hicks, Dawn, MA, BCBA

Dawn Hicks (she/her) graduated from Arizona State University in 2022 with an MA in Special Education and an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. Completed her practicum under Nicholas Maio-Aether at Empowered: A Center for Sexuality, and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2023. Prior to that, she worked in ISL homes in various positions ranging from a DSP to a QDDP.

Presentation(s):

Best Practices: Sexuality When Working with ID/DD Youth

Teresa Cooley-Bennett, LCSW, LSCSW, CCPD-D, TTS

Ms. Terri Cooley- Bennett is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (MO), a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (KS), a Co-occurring Disorders Professional-Diplomate, and a Tobacco Treatment Specialist. She is a doctoral student at the Tulane University School of Social Work (TSSW). Ms. Cooley- Bennett is experienced in homelessness, mental illness, integrated treatment, substance use, sexual exploitation, trauma, and poverty. She currently works at Swope Health in the Behavioral Health Department. Ms. Cooley-Bennett has over 20 years of experience as a presenter, workshop leader, and educator and is a board member the Missouri Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She is trained with the National NASW Office of Ethics and Professional Review and is an active member of the ethics committee for the Missouri NASW. She is a presenter on ethics training organizations such as the Missouri Coalition for Behavioral Healthcare, the Missouri National Association of Social Workers, the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare Continuing Education Program, the Missouri Credentialing Board, and others. She provides field instruction for social work students, clinical supervision for professionals seeking licensure, and has held Adjunct Professor positions for City Vision University Addictions Counseling Program and the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare.

Presentation(s):

Ethics, Research, and Vulnerable Populations

Glass, Kayette, LPC, PsyD

Dr. Kayette Glass is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Health Service Provider. She has worked in the mental health field since 1998 in different capacities, e.g., Community Support Worker, Psychosocial Rehabilitation Coordinator, Qualified Developmental Disability Professional, Licensed Psychologist, Director, Military Psychologist, and now Vice President of Clinical Services with The Arc of the Ozarks. The Vice-President of Clinical Services is responsible for planning, initiating, directing, coordinating, and implementing all care and treatment activities for individuals served by The Arc of the Ozarks and individuals served in the community. Currently, she supervises several teams, e.g., Psychiatric, Psychological, Behavioral Analysts, Behavior Consultants, and students. The design of the clinic is to provide wraparound services to individuals seeking assistance. She provides clinical services for individuals with dual dx, crisis interventions, evaluations, and has begun her training as a Suicide Prevention Trainer. She continues to provide community trainings and presentations to assist with educating others the importance of seeking mental health services and/or working with those who suffer from mental illness. Dr. Glass is also specially trained in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition and is a Certified Mandt Instructor.
Presentation(s):

Nesbitt, Donna, BA

Donna Nesbitt is a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor, with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Missouri Southern State University. She is in the process of completing her master’s degree in Counseling from The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Donna has worked previously with Ozark Center – Wills Place in Joplin, Missouri as a Community Support Specialist for four years, overseeing the Diversion Court program, then with Preferred Family Healthcare in Joplin for three years as an Associate Counselor. She currently works as a Substance Use Counselor with Ozark Center – New Directions at their Neosho location. Donna has experience working with juvenile court, law enforcement agencies, and the SATOP program. She specializes in Harm Reduction, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. Donna works closely with local advocacy agencies and the LGBTQIA+ population. She has previously been published in the American Counseling Association regarding how to improve treatment protocols for refugee / immigrant populations.

Presentation(s):

Inclusion & Affirmation: Improving SUD Treatment for the LGBTQIA+ Population