Professional Advisory Board

Holly Alperin, Ed.M, MCHES
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of New Hampshire; Lighthouse Wellness & Health Education Consulting

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
I believe that each person deserves to feel healthy and well, in all areas of their life. I value taking the time to teach young people about the importance of mental and emotional health and to do so in ways that help them to achieve overall well-being.

Jeanie Alter, PhD, MCHES, FASHA
Executive Director, American School Health Association

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
Ensuring that schools are places where every student can learn and thrive is very important to me.

Sarah Benes, EdD, CHES
Associate Clinical Professor, School of Health Sciences, Merrimack College; Lighthouse Wellness & Health Education Consulting

Jason Dane, M.S. Ed.
Kinetic Wellness Faculty, Coach, New Trier High School

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
Erika’s Lighthouse strives to provide the most current resources so teachers can effectively deliver information while using proven best practices. Being able to talk about mental health with students and provide them with healthy coping strategies is extremely meaningful.

Alyssa Hansen
Middle School Teacher, Old Quarry Middle School

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
ELH’s mission hits close to home for me. Being an educator, I strive to make sure my students feel safe and know that they are never alone.

Robert Jamison, Ed.S
Coordinator, Office of Student Support Services, Virginia Beach City Public Schools

Meg Kincaid, PhD
Psychologist, Director of Student Services, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
I have seen the impact of Erika’s Lighthouse on the lives of teens and its messages of hope are vital in creating a healthy community.

Gayl Monto, LCSW, CADC, EMDR
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Private Practice

Stephanie Morris
Chief Executive Officer, SHAPE America

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
The opportunity to really help kids who are struggling – especially given we know our nation’s children are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety and depression.

Kristy Rauch, MA, Educational Policy and Evaluation
Manager of Educational Partnerships, Center for the Collaborative Classroom

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
Erika’s Lighthouse impresses me with its commitment to providing life-changing teen depression awareness resources to schools at no cost.

Mark Reinecke, PhD
Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Psychology); Board certified in clinical psychology (ABPP), clinical child and adolescent psychology (ABPP), and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (ACT)

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
Erika’s Lighthouse mission is my mission. I’ve devoted my career to children, adolescents, and families–to understanding, treating, and preventing depression and suicide among youth.

Sally Stevens, LCSW, PPSC, M.Ed
Mental Health Administrator, Los Angeles Unified School District; Author

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
Equity and accessibility. I love how ELH is always willing to partner and provide services and resources to all stakeholders: parents, teachers, students, etc.

Karen VanAusdal, M.Ed., MSC Policy
Senior Director of Practice, Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
I am committed to the potential for schools to be places of wellness and thriving for all young people and know that support for mental health and identity development and relationships with peers and adults are critical to that mission.

Patty Voloschin-Weiner, MA, Clinical Psychology; MPH, LSW, LCSW
Psychotherapist, Interaction Dynamics

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
I have seen first hand, too many times the devastating effect of teenage depression on the teens, their parents, and their friends. Raising awareness about teenage depression and suicide prevention and offering alternatives to help these youth and families find hope and meaning is life saving.

Amy Walker
Director of Strategic Partnerships, Committee for Children

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
Bringing awareness to depression and mental health issues and giving kids the skills they need to help themselves and to help their friends stay emotionally healthy and safe from self-harm is important work. I know that these skills can be taught and I am glad to be working with Erika’s Lighthouse to come up with ways to reach more kids and schools.

Nancy Watson, LCSW/CADC
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
Erika’s Lighthouse allows schools to create a community of empathy and education that opens the door to important discussions around good mental health and depression. Lessons honor and reflect adolescent development, which serves to capture student’s attention, normalize feelings, and engage them in dialogue about their emotional worlds. Students are empowered to seek help when needed and to develop strategies and habits to contribute to their emotional health.

Owen Wolkowitz, MD
Professor of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco Weill Institute for Neuroscience; Co-Director, UCSF Depression Center

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
I have dedicated my career to better understanding and better treating depression.

Sharon Weingarten, MSW, LSW, ASCW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

What makes the mission and work of Erika’s Lighthouse meaningful to you?
The recognition that involvement of students and schools can support inclusive cultures.

In Memoriam

Michael S. Kelly, PhD, LCSW
Lucian and Carol Welch Matusak Endowed Professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work; Co-Editor, schoolsocialwork.net; Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of School Social Work