We serve as a powerful advocate and capacity builder
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of our region's children. Through collective advocacy and strategic investments, we aim for a future where every child has access to the care that they require at home, in school, and in their communities.
Creating access. Building opportunity. Delivering hope.
For children born in Appalachian Ohio, access to physical, mental and behavioral health services and supports can be hard - and sometimes impossible - to come by. We work to bring these services within reach by advocating for and partnering with behavioral health, k-12 education, higher education and more partner organizations that serve Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties and more than 200,000 children.
Our Team
Mission
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of our region’s children through collective advocacy and strategic investments.
Vision
We envision a future where every child has access to the care that they require at home, in school, and in their communities.
Goals
Utilizing research and best practices, we aspire to be a servant to those who serve children by building awareness, advocating for change, generating resources, and building a culture of collaboration across our communities.
Why Appalachian Ohio?
Appalachian Ohio has an acute need for concentrated support and investment. The odds are against our children in this region. They face limited access to behavioral health services and care, concentrated poverty, and heightened exposure to drugs.
Our Governing Board
Ted Strickland
Honorary Member, 68th Governor of Ohio, Appalachian Ohio congressman, and Ph.D. psychologist
Bob Taft
Honor Member, 67th Governor of Ohio and lifelong children’s advocate
Tom Davis
Board President, Former Interim Vice President and Dean, Ohio University, Prof. Emeritus Counselor Education, Past Pres. Ohio Counseling Association
Robin Burrow
Board Vice President, Principal, Eastern Elementary School, Meigs County, and Mother, Joe Burrow
Mark Snider
Board Treasurer, Founder and Principal, Snider, Fuller and Stroh
LeeAnn M. Johnson
Board Secretary, Mental Health Advocate
Monte Bainter
Superintendent, Logan-Hocking School District, President, Coalition Rural and Appalachian Schools
Misty Cromwell
Executive Director, Mental Health and Recovery Services
David Descutner
Retired Dean and Professor, Ohio University
Terri Donlin Huesman
President/CEO, Osteopathic Heritage Foundation
Nicole Donovski
Partner, Bricker Graydon
Steven W. Evans
Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Ohio University
Bernie Kosar
Former NFL Quarterback, Mental Health Advocate
Tom Parfitt
Owner and CPA, Parfitt, Cooley & Associates
Dave Scholl
Retired CEO, Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc.
Our Advisory Board
Reem Aly
Executive Director, Ohio School-Based Health Alliance
Alex Bishara
Chief Operational Officer, Integrated Services for Behavioral Health
Megan Cremeans
Assistant Director for Strategic Partnerships, Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
Joshua Ebling
Director, Behavioral Health/Administrator, Psychiatry Practice Plan, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Robin Harris
Executive Director, Gallia-Jackson-Meigs Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Board
Rick Hodges
Former Director, Ohio Department of Health
Stacy Kramer
Director, Southeast Ohio Regional Wellness, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Rebecca Miller
Sr. Director of Community Engagement, Ohio University
Tia Moretti
Chief Advisor, Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services
Dick Murray
Executive Director of CORAS
Tracy Najera
Vice President for U.S. Programs, UNICEF USA
Debbie Phillips
CEO, Rural Action, and former Ohio Representative
Tracy Plouck
Dean, Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership & Public Service
Megan Riddlebarger
Executive Director of the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development
Sam Shafer
President & CEO, Integrated Services for Behavioral Health
Sherry Shamblin
Chief Strategy Officer, Hopewell Health
Lisa Ward
Executive Director, Belmont-Harrision-Monroe Mental Health and Recovery Board
Key Supporters
