School Wellness

About the Guest(s): Sydni Howard is a sophomore at Green High School, recognized for her active participation in the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) Youth Advisory Council and Sources of Strength programs. She is deeply committed to cultivating a supportive school community through positive engagement and mental health advocacy. Sydni has a strong inclination towards healthy activities a...

Guest: Melissa Slatzer is a dedicated school counselor and adult advisor for Sources of Strength at Glen Oak High School in Stark County, Ohio. With over 11 years of experience as a school counselor and an additional decade as a mental health counselor, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her role. She is committed to fostering supportive educational environments and leveraging her...

the Guest(s): Evi Roberts serves as the Youth Program and Policy Manager at the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF). Evi plays a crucial role in supporting youth suicide prevention initiatives across Ohio, including the widely recognized program, Sources of Strength, and Be Present Ohio the Online Experience. With a background in mental health advocacy and policy coordination, Evi's work inv...

About the Guest(s): Adrienne Carmack Brown works in youth development and substance use prevention, recently serving at CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) as part of their public health programs team. With over a decade of experience in youth-led prevention and community advocacy across the United States, Adrienne is deeply passionate about empowering local coalitions and youth-led...

About the Guest(s): Suzanne Aftabizadeh is a dedicated professional in the field of public health, hailing from Athens, Ohio. A native of the region, Suzanne pursued her studies at Ohio University where she focused on biology and Spanish. Passionate about women's health and child welfare, she served two years with ComCor, an AmeriCorps program linked with the Ohio University Medical School, which...

About the Guest: Evan Whitehead is an experienced educator with nearly 30 years in the profession. He began his career as a crisis interventionist at a therapeutic day school for students with emotional disabilities and advanced through roles such as classroom teacher and assistant superintendent. His expertise extends to consulting and presentations at national and international levels. Evan is a...

Content Warning: This episode contains mature subject matter intended only for mature audiences. If you or someone you know is dealing with sexual abuse or human traficking, please seek professional help and support. There are links for organizations that may help in our show notes.  And your local children's services organization can help as well. If you or someone you know are in an immediate li...

About the Guest(s): Theresa Stahl is an experienced educator with a career spanning nearly 40 years. Currently, she teaches third and fourth grade reading intervention at Ansonia Local Schools in Ohio. Known for her commitment to creating supportive and inclusive classroom environments, Theresa has actively implemented the PAX Good Behavior Game strategies to foster respectful and focused behavior...

About the Guest(s): Betsey Sigrist-Sheppard  is a dedicated educator with six years of experience in teaching early education, primarily in kindergarten and second grade. She currently teaches at Columbus City Schools in Columbus, Ohio. Betsey is known for her innovative methods in creating engaging classroom environments and is particularly recognized for her work with PAX Good Behavior Game. Her...

Jake Ross is a seasoned licensed independent social work supervisor and therapist, practicing in Ohio with additional licensures in Virginia, Indiana, and Florida. With over 20 years of experience in social work and child welfare, Jake currently serves as a senior trainer and consultant at Presidential Consultants, where he facilitates dynamic learning experiences aimed at enhancing the skills and...

Show Notes - About the Guest: Honey Bell-Bey is a seasoned prevention specialist with a passion for integrating the arts into prevention strategies for young individuals. With a lifetime devotion to prevention work, Honey has been instrumental in numerous wellness initiatives throughout Ohio, particularly in the Cleveland area. Honey started as a peer educator in her youth, creatively engaging in...

Welcome to Season Three of the School Wellness Podcast, an initiative by the Ohio School Based Center of Excellence for Prevention and Early Intervention. This season will have 15 episodes and kicks off with influential conversations surrounding youth-led prevention, school mental health, and self-care frameworks in education. Delve into expert interviews that reveal the strategic efforts being ma...

About the Guest: Emily Torok is the Director at the Ohio School Safety Center. With a history in Ohio Homeland Security, Emily initially supervised multiple school safety efforts. Her career trajectory evolved with Governor DeWine's administration prioritizing school safety as a standalone focus, allowing her to dedicate her expertise solely to this area. Emily has effectively channeled her initia...

About the Guest(s): Evi Roberts is a dedicated youth program and policy manager at the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF). With a robust background in public administration and addiction counseling, she transitioned into preventative mental health work through mentorship with notable figures such as Dr. Holly Raffle. Since joining OSPF in 2021, Evi has been instrumental in managing youth su...

Episode Summary: In this episode of School Wellness with Amanda Hampton , the focus is on supporting the whole child within the Ohio educational system. Amanda Hampton, a certified prevention specialist, engages Sarah Music from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to discuss effective strategies and programs that target the holistic development and prevention needs of school-aged childr...

Episode Summary: In this episode of "School Wellness," host Amanda Hampton engages in an insightful discussion with Brice Frasure from Logan Hocking Schools. They delve into the pivotal role of Student Assistance Programming (SAP) in enhancing the well-being of students and staff. Brice shares how SAP, an evidence-based framework, aids in addressing non-academic barriers such as mental health, beh...

Episode Summary: In this episode of "School Wellness with Amanda Hampton," hosted by certified prevention specialist Amanda Hampton, the focus is on tackling chronic absenteeism in Ohio schools. Joined by Patrick Hickman from the Office of Whole Child Supports, the discussion delves into the pressing issue of student and staff attendance post-pandemic. The episode not only explores historical and...

Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of School Wellness, Amanda Hampton delves into the intricacies of creating a trauma-informed classroom with educator Katie Ostendorf. Katie shares her journey into teaching, fueled by a passion sparked during a high school mentoring experience. She describes her continued dedication to foster an inclusive, supportive learning environment. With a primary fo...

Join Amanda Hampton and guest Karen Eads as they discuss creating trauma-informed classrooms. Karen, a veteran first-grade teacher with 35 years of experience at Norwood Elementary, shares her journey and strategies for fostering a safe, empathetic, and regulated learning environment. Learn about her use of PAX tools, creating emotional safety, and the importance of modeling self-regulation. Disco...

Amanda Hampton of the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence is joined by Ali Masters from Kinder Elementary to discuss the role of a Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator (BHWC). Ali shares insights on educational neuroscience, collective care, and the positive impacts on school culture, including significant decreases in suspensions and behavioral referrals. Discover how initiatives like th...

Amanda Hampton hosts Dr. Cricket Meehan from the Ohio School-based Center of Excellence for Prevention and Early Intervention at Miami University. They discuss the center's essential initiatives, such as the Ohio School Wellness Initiative, which focuses on supporting both students and staff in mental health and well-being. Dr. Meehan highlights the importance of everyone playing a role in fosteri...

Amanda Hampton hosts Holly Raffle from Ohio University's Voinovich School, discussing the Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion. They delve into community readiness, prevention strategies, and the importance of data-driven decision-making. Holly highlights initiatives in trauma-informed care, the significance of social determinants of health, and equity in preven...

How do educators best promote wellness for students and staff? Join host Amanda Hampton, a certified Prevention Specialist, and the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence as we discuss supporting mental health in K-12 education. We will discuss innovative strategies and initiatives to create nurturing environments. Together we will gain insight and inspiration, and learn about evidence-based tools...

Melissa Corente, a research associate at the University of Ottawa, discusses her review on mental health in schools for educators. She highlights the lack of research on teacher mental health and the need for more support for new teachers. Melissa emphasizes the importance of addressing stress and burnout in teaching, as well as presenteeism and absenteeism. She also explores the challenges and ba...

Tracy Johnson, managing partner of the TTJ Group and Sherays and Associates, joins Al Levin on School Wellness to discuss the importance of prevention and intervention work in schools. Tracy emphasizes the need for collaboration and partnerships within the community to create a comprehensive approach to wellness. We also highlight the significance of cultural relevance and inclusivity in preventio...