花季传媒 Southern Community Mental Health Awareness Conference

Dr. Jason Roop is the founder and CEO of the Center for Trait-Based Transformation and the creator of the nationally recognized Trait-Based Models of Recovery and Prevention. Drawing from his personal journey of overcoming 17 years of addiction, along with rigorous research and professional expertise, Dr. Roop has dedicated his career to reshaping addiction recovery through strength-focused, evidence-based methodologies. His innovative models have been adopted by treatment centers, schools, and communities nationwide, significantly impacting mental health outcomes and long-term recovery.

An award-winning leader in the behavioral health field, Dr. Roop received the prestigious 2024 Burns Brady Innovator of the Year Award (awarded by YPR Louisville) for his transformative contributions. He serves on the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Commission, guiding strategic distribution of funds for statewide prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives. As a highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Roop has presented at major national conferences and symposia. He is also a published researcher with multiple peer-reviewed articles highlighting the role of inherent strengths and leadership traits in addiction recovery and personal transformation.

Dr. Roop holds a Ph.D. in Business Management and a Master of Theology, continually advocating for a strength-based approach that empowers individuals and transforms communities.

Lindsay Rice is an experienced educator, speaker, and advocate who brings over a decade of classroom experience and a lifetime of lived expertise as a neurodivergent individual to her work. As a teacher, parent, and lifelong learner, Lindsay bridges the gap between neuroscience and real-world practice, offering educators transformative strategies to support and empower neurodiverse learners.

With a background in Speech and Hearing Science and a Master鈥檚 in Childhood Education, Lindsay specializes in brain-based instructional practices, including stress cycle awareness, executive functioning support, and brain priming activities that help students access learning with confidence. Her engaging, accessible approach makes complex concepts like cognitive load, masking, rejection sensitivity, and dopamine regulation understandable鈥攁nd immediately applicable鈥攊n any classroom setting.

Lindsay is passionate about shifting the narrative from deficit-based models to strength-based support. She believes the most effective training for supporting neurodivergent students should center the voices and experiences of neurodivergent educators themselves. Through her work, she empowers teachers to move beyond labels and see the extraordinary potential in every learner.

Whether she鈥檚 speaking at national conferences, facilitating educator workshops, or mentoring rising teachers, Lindsay鈥檚 mission is clear: create classrooms where all brains are welcomed, understood, and set up to thrive.

Megan Rookard is the Director for Pathways Porchlight | Sexual Assault Resource Center, a state-designated Rape Crisis Center serving ten counties in Eastern Kentucky; she has worked for Porchlight | SARC for five years. Megan has an Associate鈥檚 degree in Human Services Technology and a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Studio Art from 花季传媒. Megan is deeply committed to creating spaces for productive dialogues around sexual violence, violence prevention, and anti-oppression. In her free time, Megan enjoys napping, telling terrible dad jokes, and spending time with her partner, daughter, and menagerie of animals.

Dr. Joy Shytle is an associate professor of instruction of Social Work at 花季传媒 Southern. She brings a unique academic foundation that bridges psychobiology and clinical social work, allowing her to explore the intersection of brain science, behavior, and human connection. At OHIO Southern, Shytle advises the Student Social Work Association and directs the Social Work Learning Lab, an innovative space that blends technology, hands-on practice, and community engagement to prepare students for the field. Her research and teaching often focus on practical, evidence-based strategies for improving mental health and well-being. In her presentation, 鈥淯nlocking the Joy: Dopamine Release and the Power of Music,鈥� Shytle draws on neuroscience and real-world applications to show how rhythm, melody, and harmony can be intentionally harnessed to elevate mood, enhance creativity, and foster connection.

Eric Brown is an instructor of English composition and literature at Shawnee State University. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and a Master of Arts in English Literature. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy and English Literature. Eric specializes in accessible, story-driven teaching strategies and is passionate about the intersection of mental health, narrative, and classroom engagement. His work frequently explores how fiction, particularly horror, mystery, and true crime, can be used to foster resilience, empathy, and emotional growth in students.

Meagan Joseph works for Impact Prevention in Ironton, Ohio where she serves as program manager and an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant. She is also a proud graduate of 花季传媒鈥檚 Executive Master of Public Administration program. While she began her career as a high school Japanese language teacher, her heart led her to the field of prevention in 2019.