Patrick is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and a certified speaker, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell Team. Originally from the humble town of Boring, Oregon, Patrick earned his undergrad and masters in special education and behavior analysis from Gonzaga University. While spending several years educating students with disabilities, from pre-school to high school, Patrick developed a particular love for working with students with autism and behavioral challenges. 

Today he works as an educational consultant and as the Director of Student Engagement for the Auburn School District in Washington State.  As a nationally recognized speaker, Patrick has committed his work to lighting it up for all those who work with students with disabilities through a hybrid of instruction and inspiration.  His resources and strategies have helped make the complex simple, equipping teachers, administrators, therapists, paraeducators, and bus drivers alike. 

Successfully supporting all students means making sure that we view each of them as the wonderful individuals that they are. In this heartwarming message, behavior specialist Patrick Mulick will share how student-centered thinking can impact actions, decisions and outcomes. You will be introduced to a few personalities who will show you that sometimes our biggest deficit is being unable to see past the deficit of others. Get back in touch with why you entered this field in the first place as you laugh, learn and become inspired.  It is recommended that attendees bring tissues to this one, you are going to feel all of the feelings!

We support schools by easing the emotional burden of caring for their students through mental health services. To recover their capacity to learn and reach their full potential, as a student, and as a whole person. 

We are driven to provide mental health awareness, advocacy, and access for everyone. Since launching the school-based therapy program, Wellness Together continues to create mental health programs and solutions through innovation and partnerships. 

Wellness Together is created by professional improv teachers and licensed therapists, Laughing Together’s workshops bring comedy and mental health together using evidence-informed curricula. 

“Build & strengthen critical social skills 
Practice collaboration & problem solving 
Learn in a fun & supportive environment 
Strengthen non-verbal communication 

LAUGH & HAVE FUN!”

Bill Milliken, Founder and Vice Chairman of Communities In Schools, Inc., is one of the nation’s foremost pioneers in the movement to give young people the help they need to graduate from high school and go on to rewarding lives.   

Mr. Milliken’s activism began in 1960 when he joined Young Life, an ecumenical youth organization. He helped initiate “street academies” for young people who had dropped out of school and wanted a chance to resume their education, as well as live-in programs for substance abusers and youth in need of shelter and support. His experiences led him to search for a comprehensive approach to helping young people. This search culminated in the 1970s with the development of a model program that repositioned existing community resources into schools — the Communities In Schools network, which Mr. Milliken led as President until May 2004. Mr. Milliken has served three U.S. presidents and has received numerous honors for his commitment to young people.  

Most recently, he was the recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award for National Service. Prior to that, he received the Visionary Ambassador’s Award from Usher’s New Look Foundation and the National Jefferson Award for Public Service, which is widely regarded as the “Nobel Prize” for outstanding community and public service.  

Mr. Milliken serves on the boards of Leadership Foundations of America, PathNorth, and Communities In Schools of Northern Virginia. He is the author of four books: So Long, Sweet Jesus; Tough Love; The Last Dropout: Stop the Epidemic!; and From the Rearview Mirror: Reflecting on Connecting the Dots. He received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters in 2007 from Bard College.  

Donna Weiss, Chair, Board of Directors, is an adviser to Terrapin Palisades, a private equity firm with a focus on domestic and international real estate and agriculture investments. 

From 2001 to 2008, Weiss was a managing director of Midstream Partners, a private equity firm specializing in midsize oil and gas companies. Prior to joining Midstream, she was an attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where she specialized in international project finance transactions. She began her career in the Friedman molecular biology laboratory at Rockefeller University. 

Weiss has been a director of Communities In Schools (CIS) since 2003 and has chaired numerous committees for CIS including the Student Supports Committee, Strategic Planning and two national search committees for its CEO. Weiss was the founding board chair of CIS of Los Angeles, which grew from two schools and 150 case-managed students to 10 schools and 1,500 case-managed students during her tenure. 

Weiss is a trustee of Brown University and co-chairs the Brown Annual Fund. Weiss earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Brown and a J.D. from Harvard University. Weiss is the proud parent of two kids and lives in Los Angeles and Aspen with her husband and their two rescue dogs. 

Dan Barcan is a longtime advisor to Communities in Schools and a Partner at Schoolhouse Partners, an advisory firm serving organizations in the education industry. In his work with CIS, he has focused on helping partner districts and affiliates access new Federal revenues and manage expenses.  

His other recent work includes the development of an earned revenue strategy for a project-based learning provider and the development of a place-based scholarship model for a 20-county region in the Pacific Northwest. He has also developed strategies for organizations in the instructional technology, game-based learning, and student support markets. He leads the firm’s projects that serve school districts and municipal and county governments. 

Prior to his work with Schoolhouse Partners, Dan founded a public middle school and served as a principal and teacher. He received a BA in U.S. History from Brown University and an MBA degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He lives in Boston with his wife, Leah, and their sons, Max and Abe. 

Todd Barcus is the Director of Student Support Services, Attendance, Safety, Policies, and Communities In Schools for Wetzel County. He is in his 23rd year in education and has been the director for 14 years. Wetzel County recently completed their first year in the Communities In Schools program.  

Executive Director-CIS of Greenbrier County. Brittany is a W.V. native and University of Charleston alumna with a Bachelor of Art in Mass Communications, Master of Business Administration, and a certificate in Exercising Leadership from HarvardX.  

In addition to her role as executive director, Brittany is involved with nearly a dozen boards and committees and has co-founded two local nonprofits. Above all, Brittany considers motherhood her greatest privilege and honor.   

Macy Cass holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and is a passionate advocate for mental health. With over a decade of experience supporting children and parents, she has established herself as a trusted figure in child development and family well-being. Her background includes previous experience teaching in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada, and teaching mental health and suicide prevention classes to teens.

Additionally, she has provided one-on-one therapy for children with disabilities. Macy is dedicated to fostering authentic connections to nurture emotional health. She strives to build meaningful relationships and make a positive difference in both her professional and personal life.

Janna Coleman begins her third year as a CIS site coordinator at Mary C. Snow Elementary in Kanawha County. She has over twenty years of experience as an educator, having been a chemistry teacher, a secondary assistant principal, and an elementary principal before stepping into this role. Recently, she graduated from Marshall University with an Education Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She is writing her doctoral dissertation about improving school culture through cultural understanding.  

Jazmin Danielson has served in executive leadership and direct service roles in the out-of-school time sector for over 25 years, focusing on empowering under-resourced youth and families in Minneapolis. Currently, Jazmin is the Executive Director for a youth-serving non-profit, ACES (Athletes Committed to Educating Students), Jazmin combines her passion for bold leadership, high-quality learning environments and sport as a change agent. Prior to this role, she served as the Executive Director for a national sports-based youth development program that used the sport of Squash as an engagement hook for college readiness and academic support targeting middle and high school students. Jazmin also has extensive experience in higher education, developing policy to ensure youth safety and  compliance requirements programs across the state of Minnesota. Jazmin also serves as an adjunct professor in Sports Management at the University of Minnesota. Her passions include teaching, promoting equity, gardening, creating art and travel. She considers herself a life-long learner and proud mom of a teen-ager.  

Caitlyn Fosse joined the Communities In Schools National Office in September 2021 after eight years with CIS affiliates in Kansas and Texas as a Site Coordinator and Program Manager. Caitlyn earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from West Texas A&M University and Master of Science in Art Therapy from Emporia State University. Her current role aims to advance CIS model fidelity and positive data culture within Licensed Partners through data training, use, understanding, and analysis.  

Stephanie Hayes currently serves as the state coordinator for school counseling and student support at the WV Department of Education. She earned a master’s degree in School Counseling from Marshall University. Stephanie has a WV Professional Student Support Certificate with an endorsement for PK-AD Counselor and an endorsement for Social Services and Attendance. She also has a Provisional Professional Administrative Certificate with an endorsement for Principal and Superintendent.

Additionally, she has been appointed to serve on the Governor’s Council on Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment, is the Co-chair of the Prevention Subcommittee for the Governor’s Council, is the Co-chair of the WV Expanded School Mental Health Steering Team, is an active member of the WV Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Committee, and the WV Suicide Prevention Coalition. Stephanie has a successful history of working in the education and behavioral health fields for over 25 years. She has worked in several roles throughout her career which all focused on improving student success through mental health services and student support. Stephanie is experienced in school-community collaborations, program development, multi-tiered systems of support, program evaluation, crisis intervention, and policy development.

Mollie Hinzman is the CIS County Contact for Ritchie County Schools and the Site Coordinator for Smithville Elementary School. I have been in this role going into my 4th year. I hold a Masters of Education: School Counseling and previously worked as a school counselor for 5 years. I am married to my husband Noah and we have 3 sons, Harrison, Hudson and Hutchinson.  

Brittney Hopkinson is a Regional Specialist for WV Communities in Schools and supports 9 counties. Before her role as a Regional Specialist, Brittney was a Site Coordinator for four years in Berkeley County, WV. She has worked in child welfare for 10 years. Brittney is very passionate about helping people and pursued her Master of Social Work degree from WVU in 2019. She resides in Berkeley County, WV with her wife and three dogs.  

Schell Hopwood is starting her 30th year with Randolph County Schools. She began her career in a Family Literacy Program and has come full circle back to a job that allows her to work with families throughout Randolph County. Currently she is the Family and Community Engagement Specialist for Randolph County Schools. Schell has taught pre-k children and their parents, third grade, and second grade. She sits on the boards for the Randolph County Family Resource Network and Literacy Volunteers of Randolph County (for adult literacy).  She is also the Coordinator for Randolph County Healthy Grandfamily Program and the county contact for the Communities In Schools program.  

Megan McCorkle  currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and Student Support for the Kanawha County School district in WV.  Throughout her public education career, she has taught all levels and settings for students with disabilities.  She has also served as a special education curriculum specialist in supporting teachers and administrators for instructional delivery and services.  She’s passionate about equal educational opportunities and services for students with disabilities to excel in their public school system.  She currently lives in Elkview, WV with her partner, Matt, and golden retriever, Boomer.    

Teresa McCourt, MS is the Stalking and Prevention Coordinator for the WV Foundation for Rape Information and Services. She has over 25 years of experience in senior and executive leadership positions within the field of human services. Teresa received her MS in Strategic Leadership and BS in Behavioral Sciences from Mountain State University and has served as a licensed social worker for over 15 years. Teresa has expertise in community-and institutional-program design, development, implementation and evaluation, service delivery models, serving people with disabilities and incarcerated populations, and ensuring accessibility of programs and services for those with disabilities. Teresa spent her early career working with the WV Division of Corrections, serving in various capacities including Counselor, Case Manager, Coordinator of Institutional Training Programs and Deputy Director of Training.

Teresa served as the Director of Offender Programs and her work at the state level positioned her for a 3-year appointment as Warden of Anthony Correctional Center. In 2011, Teresa made the move to West Virginia University’s Center for Excellence in Disabilities, where she served as a Program Manager and the Center’s Assistant Director overseeing multiple statewide programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. She returned to her roots in direct services in 2018, as she transitioned her skill set to medical and behavioral health clinics at MonHealth and Valley Health System, where she implemented comprehensive substance abuse treatment programs as a Program Coordinator and Lead Outpatient Therapist and provided counseling services.

Maintaining her commitment to improved communities and lives for West Virginians, Teresa joined the WVFRIS team in 2022 with a commitment to the primary prevention of sexual violence and effective intervention and prevention of stalking. She has served on multiple state and local councils, boards, and committees over the course of her career in corrections, disability services, and behavioral health. Teresa has two adult children and has served as a community volunteer in numerous capacities over the years. Currently, Teresa is active with her collegiate sorority alumnae association and a local women’s support and empowerment group, and she volunteers at a local recovery house for women and their children.

Persia strives to build connection, confidence, and courage in the lives of her students, their families, and the youth-serving professionals in the North Carolina and West Virginia regions. Persia delivers drug prevention workshops for parents and adults and facilitates adolescent psycho-educational support groups with a focus on reducing teen vaping. Persia has been working with Caron Treatment Centers’ Education Department since 2015 and is dedicated to growing and expanding Caron’s vision of a future free of suffering from addiction.  

Mark Moore has been presenting on educational technologies using in West Virginia classrooms for over 20 years.  He currently works in the Office of Communications for the West Virginia Department of Education. 

Emma Nelson is an educator who has spent the better part of the last decade in the classroom. She has a background in school counseling and has spent time both as a full-time teacher and counselor in the great state of Arkansas. She’s passionate about mental health education, especially social and emotional learning (SEL). Emma started with Cook Center for Human Connection as a facilitator for the Mental Health Series and she quickly rose to the top tier of presenters.

Emma has always been known for her exceptional ability to connect with students, and families and is now lending her talent on a national scale – which is an exceptional gift to the field of education. Her passion for helping parents support their children’s well-being shines!

Jonathan Paul has been in education for 25 years. He worked 21 of those years in Special Education. For three and half years he was the Communities in Schools Coordinator for Green Bank Elementary/Middle School in Pocahontas County. In January 2024 he took the position as Regional Specialist for CIS West Virginia.  

Terri Lynn Queen is the Attendance and Student Support Director in Wayne County. She has served as the County Contact for Communities in Schools since 2019.  Together with her CIS Dream Team, they work diligently to break down barriers, provide support and educate students and families on the importance of being in school ALL DAY, EVERY DAY!   

Ginny Ratliff is a Communities In Schools West Virginia Regional Specialist. She has been with Communities In Schools for the past three years. She holds both a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from West Virginia University, demonstrating her strong passion for social services and public administration. Outside of her professional life, Ginny enjoys spending quality time with her daughter Caroline, husband Tyler, and 2 dogs. 

Samantha Ray is the CIS Coordinator for Wayne Middle School. She has served in this role since 2021. With her coworkers and staff, they have created avenues for students and their families to help them succeed, whether that’s through attendance, food, or mental health.  

Dr. Sabrina Runyon is the Director of Early Learning Programs-Curriculum, PD, PK Director, Title I Director, Title III Director, County Contact for CIS, Math4life, Third Grade Success Act, Energy Express Over PERC, County Events, Social Workers, Instructional Coaches in Mingo County. This is Mingo’s 4th year in CIS and are looking forward to many more years.    

Lucinda Schroeder is the Social Worker for several county schools since 2018. She works closely with the Communities in Schools staff to provide support, resources, and help with needs to students and their families. She also educates families and students on the importance of attendance. 

Carla Snell taught high school for twelve years at Huntington High School, from which she also graduated. Carla loves students and families and when CIS was introduced at HHS she decided to work as a site coordinator so she could spend each day focused on helping students and families. Knowing this program was her calling, Carla began working with WVDE as a regional specialist in 2021. She supports 8 counties in WV and is looking forward to many more years with the program. Her passion is working with students and families and seeing the impact it is making every day!  

Krystal Stollings is a child advocate working for Boone County Schools in the capacity of Director of Psychological Services and School Safety. Mrs. Stollings graduated from Marshall University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Masters in Elementary Education, and Education Specialist in School Psychology. She has worked as a nationally certified school psychologist for 19 years and finished her first year as a Communities In Schools County Contact, where she enjoyed encouraging CIS Site Coordinators to be innovative and ambassadors for the program. Mrs. Stollings is a devoted wife, mother of one amazing daughter, and delights in her faith-based ministry as a youth leader.  Her favorite phrase is “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”   

Zach Stoll (Hughart) joined the Communities In Schools West Virginia team as a Regional Specialist in September 2021. In this role, he supports counties in successfully implementing the CIS Model with fidelity and sustaining the Communities In Schools initiative in West Virginia. He is also a member of the Advisory Council for the West Virginia Attendance Collaborative at the West Virginia Department of Education.  

Zach holds a BA in Education and an MA in Leadership Studies from Marshall University. With 11 years of educational and leadership experience, he brings a strong background in curriculum and instruction to his work. He was nominated for Cabell County Teacher of the Year in 2017-18 and holds a Permanent Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education K-6, Social Studies 5-12, Multi-Categorical (LD, BD, MI) K-12, as well as a Professional Administrative Certificate (Principal) PK-AD.  

 Jakotora Tjoutuku serves as an Professional Learning Specialist for the Harmony Social Emotional Learning Program. She is based in Brooklyn, NY and is responsible for the training and implementation of school programs, and out of school time organizations. Jako’s educational experience includes being an educational consultant for various educational companies, and over 10 years of classroom teaching at the elementary level for the New York City Department of Education 

Laura VanDeusen has been working for youth-serving organizations for over two decades, helping create conditions to enable all children to reach their potential. At Communities In Schools Laura oversees the delivery of training and support related to CIS Model implementation for licensed partners. Laura holds a master’s degree in International and Intercultural Communications. In her spare time, she can usually be found trying to keep up with her three school-aged children while climbing up or skiing down a mountain. 

Donovan Weekley is the Prevention Coordinator at West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information & Services (WVFRIS), responsible for child sexual abuse prevention programming and partnerships. He has held various roles in academic and community emergency departments, the healthcare solutions industry, and mental health and disordered eating research. However, his passion for sexual violence prevention stems from his time working on the Violence & Injury Prevention team at a local health department in Maryland. Currently enrolled at West Virginia University, Donovan looks forward to graduating with a Master of Public Health in Applied Epidemiology & Biostatistics in May 2025. 

Kelly Wiltsey is a clinically licensed professional counselor, certified school counselor, and endorsed in educational leadership. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s in counseling, an Education Specialist Degree in Counseling, and a WV Professional Administrative Certificate. Currently, she serves as the Coordinator for School Mental Health at the West Virginia Department of Education, Office of Federal Programs, Division of Student Support and Well-Being. Kelly provides technical support and assistance related to school mental health. Additionally, she actively participates in several committees, including the Expanded Mental Health Steering Team, the WV ACEs Coalition, and the WV Behavioral Health Planning Council. With over 25 years of experience, Kelly has worked in K-12 settings a well as juvenile justice settings and clinical private practice.