United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council encourages collaboration, communication and shared resources that
strengthen Licking County and provide opportunities for professional development and mentorship.
Free forums are presented by experts in their field focusing on issues of interest specific to our community.
Each Featured Forum will be held the 2nd Wednesday of the Month.
Register for 2025 topics here
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What is Trauma Informed Care?
UNITED WAY OF LICKING COUNTY (CPC) - WHAT IS TRAUMA INFORMED CARE?
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented its forum on What is Trauma Informed Care? Our panelists included Melanie Fling, Supervisor for Licking County Children and Families First Council, Ronni Bowyer, Coordinator of Whole Child Supports for Newark City Schools, and Tamara Frye, Executive Director of The Woodlands.
PREVENTING SUMMER LEARNING LOSS & SUPPORTING YOUNG ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented its forum on Preventing Summer Learning Loss & Supporting Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities. Our panelists included Lisa Miller, Transition Specialist Manager for the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities; Tina Angeletti, Intervention Specialist for Project SEARCH interns at Licking Memorial Health Systems; Kelli James, Peer and Transitions Supervisor for I am Boundless.
WHY LICKING COUNTY NEEDS LOW BARRIER HOUSING
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented its forum on Why Licking County Needs Low Barrier Housing. Our panelists included Deb Dingus, Executive Director of United Way of Licking County and Pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Stephanie Dunlap, Executive Director of Whole Living Recovery and Case Manager, Shannon TL Isom, President and CEO of Community Shelter Board, and Daniel Davis, Director of Student Services for Southwest Licking Schools.
CULTURALLY AWARE SERVICES
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented its forum on Culturally Aware Services.
Panelists included Jhuma Acharya, a School-Family Engagement and DEI Specialist at Licking Heights Local School, and Jenny Leal, the Assistant Director at the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio. Janine Watkins, Vice President for People and Culture and Chief Human Resource Office, and a United Way of Licking County Board Member also participated.
LGBTQ+ Services in Licking County
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented its forum on LGBTQ+ Services in Licking County.
Our panelists included Breann Smith, LSW, a social worker at Equitas Health, Max Grogan (they/them), the Associate Director of The Center for Belonging and Inclusion at Denison University, and Rev. Alissia Thompson, pastor of the United Church of Granville.
ALICE IN 2024: LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented its forum on ALICE in 2024: Living Paycheck to Paycheck.
Our panelists included Ashley Washburn, Executive Director of Family Health Services of East Central Ohio, Jenny Rice, Real Estate at The Raines Group, Angela Carnahan, Workforce Development Administrator, Licking County Job & Family Services/Ohio Means Jobs Licking County.
EARLY CHILDHOOD RESOURCES IN LICKING COUNTY
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented its forum on Everyone Needs to Belong.
Our panelists included Deborah Grayson, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Dana Moore, Buckeye Valley YMCA, Jamie Harris, LEADS Head Start/Early Head Start, and Jackalyn Jones, Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Everyone Needs To Belong
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented its forum on Everyone Needs to Belong.
Our panelists included Colleen Hendon, Executive Director of Mental Health of America of Licking County, Shae Bailey, Linkage Coordinator for Newark City Schools, and Jack Wheeler, Director of Student Wellness at Denison University.
ELDER ABUSE & NEGLECT
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented its forum on Everyone Needs to Belong.
Our panelists included Colleen Hendon, Executive Director of Mental Health of America of Licking County, Shae Bailey, Linkage Coordinator for Newark City Schools, and Jack Wheeler, Director of Student Wellness at Denison University.
MORE THAN FOOD FROM THE GROCERY STORE: THE COST OF HYGIENE
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented its forum on More Than Food from the Grocery Store: The Cost of Hygiene.
Our panelists included Courtney Lichtenauer Guidance Counselor from Licking Valley Schools, Patricia (Trish) Perry Coordinator for OhioCAN (Change Addiction Now) and co-founder of Newark Homeless Outreach, and Tricia Hufford, Director of New Beginnings.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES IN LICKING COUNTY
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented their forum on Environmental Resources in Licking County.
Our panelists included Jennifer W. Roberts the Executive Director for the Newark Campus Development Fund, The Thomas J. Evans Foundation, and The Gilbert Reese Family Foundation. Andrea Krava, the Director and Educator of Licking County Recycling, Scott Morris, REHS, the Director of Outdoor Environmental Health at the Licking County Health Department and Deirdre Wise, the Conservation Educator at the Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District.
FOOD INSECURITY IN LICKING COUNTY
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented their forum on Food Insecurity in Licking County . Learn about changing the narrative!
Our panelists included Devan Tucker, Operations Director for Licking County Aging Partners, Major Timothy Higgins, Co-commanding Officer and Pastor of the Newark Salvation Army, Christa Schworm, Public Assistance Administrator, Licking County Job & Family Service. Alyssa Shepherd, Development Director, Food Pantry Network of Licking County, and Todd Kirkpatrick, WIC Director, Licking County Health Department.
MENTAL HEALTH IN LICKING COUNTY
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented their forum on Mental Health in Licking County . Learn about reducing stigma and strengthening resources.
Our panelists included Colleen Hendon, Executive Director of Mental Health of America of Licking County, and John Jordan, Executive Director of Licking County Alcoholism Prevention Program. Patty Werner, Southwest Licking Social Worker, and Kathryn Spergel, Executive Director of Mental Health and Recovery Board for Licking and Knox Counties.
THE ROLE OF HARM REDUCTION IN ADDRESSING ADDICTION
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented their forum on The Role of Harm Reduction in Addressing Addiction. Learn what is harm reduction in addressing addiction.
Our panelists included Amber Wood, Social Worker at Brightview, Lori Burnell, Safepoint Syringe Service Program Coordinator, Dennis Cauchon, President of Harm Reduction Ohio, Mallory Meeker, Whole Living Recovery, Patricia Perry, Co-founder of Newark Homeless Outreach and Licking County Coordinator for OhioCAN.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) IN LICKING COUNTY
United Way of Licking County’s Community Partners Council (CPC) presented their forum on The Role of Harm Reduction in Addressing Addiction. Learn what is harm reduction in addressing addiction.
Our panelists included Averi Frost from COAACC, Maurice Rese Jhordan from Newark City Schools and local musician, Richard Brown, Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Center for Belonging and Inclusion at Denison University, and Dr. Brianna Johnson from OSU Newark and COTC. Ohio, Mallory Meeker, Whole Living Recovery, Patricia Perry, Co-founder of Newark Homeless Outreach and Licking County Coordinator for OhioCAN.
Recommended Resources for furthering you DEI education by the panelists include the following books: Whistling Vivalidi: And Other Clues to How Stereotypes Affect Us by Claude M. Steele, and The Sum Of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather Mchee. Recommended Documentaries include: Race: The Power of an Illusion, The Color of Care and 13th.
2025 Community Partners
Council Topics
