About Us
The Nebraska Coalition For Peer Delivered Services
Wellbeing Initiatives has been awarded a grant through SAMHSA to develop The Nebraska Coalition for Peer Delivered Services (NCPDS). The NCPDS connects individuals and organizations providing peer services across the state in an effort to build the capacity and sustainability of peer efforts in Nebraska. The NCPDS embraces the challenges of uniting largely rural communities to provide access to training, networking opportunities, and technical assistance to peer-led and provider groups seeking to integrate Peer Delivered Services into their recovery approach.
Our goal is to promote Consumers and Peer Support Specialists engagement with Providers, peer-led groups and organizations, and state-level Consumer Affairs. Peers and Providers across Nebraska will have increased access to the support and resources needed to establish quality peer programming, stimulating expansion of Peer Delivered Services in Nebraska.
Danielle Smith
Nebraska Coalition for Peer Delivered Services
Danielle is the Chief Visionary Officer of Wellbeing Initiative, Inc. and is the Project Director of the Nebraska Coalition for Peer Delivered Services. She is the co-author of Peeriodical Nebraska Peer Support Curriculum which supports the training and education of Peer Support Specialists across Nebraska. Danielle is a certified facilitator in Advance level WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), WHAM (Whole Health Action Management) and SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training). Danielle serves as the Chair of the Mental Health Advisory Committee for the state of Nebraska and the Chair of the Consumer Family Advisory Committee for Region V Systems. She is a strong advocate and has unlimited passion for the peer support movement in Nebraska. Danielle strives to bring hope to people in recovery and supports a sense of belonging for peers within the community. Her primary goals are to empower, connect, advocate, and provide education for all peers in the state of Nebraska. When Danielle is not working, she focuses on her own personal wellness and spending time with her family.
Sadie Thompson
Nebraska Coalition for Peer Delivered Services
Sadie is the Chief Implementation Officer of Wellbeing Initiative, Inc. and is the Curriculum Development Coordinator of the Nebraska Coalition for Peer Delivered Services and Trainer Supervisor for the Emergency Response Covid-19 Program. She is the co-author of Peeriodical Nebraska Peer Support Curriculum which supports the training and education of Peer Support Specialists across Nebraska. Sadie is an Advanced Level Facilitator in WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) and an expert in Mindfulness Related Training. She is a social justice advocate that is passionate about serving people experiencing a wide variety of life’s challenges. Sadie serves as the Vice President of Consumer Affairs for the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations in Nebraska. Sadie believes that recovery is possible for anyone, and peers are some of the most amazing, resilient people in our community. Sadie has lived experience with physical health and mental health challenges and hopes to bring physical health peer support to Nebraska in the future. When she is not working, Sadie loves cycling with friends, swimming, gardening, and snuggling up with her family to watch movies and eat popcorn.
Meet Our Staff
Nebraska Native Emergency COVID-19 Program
Chris Allende, CPSS
Networking & Outreach Coordinator
Chris started his walk of recovery in 2005 at a faith based recovery program called Youth Challenge based in Hartford, CT. After going through the process of restoration, he was sent to Guatemala City, Guatemala (in Central America) to start a residential treatment facility, an endeavor he was in for 8 years. Chris was then offered the possibility of coming to Lincoln, Ne to work as the youth pastor at a local church, work he continues to do. However, in 2017, Chris felt the need to start working in the behavioral health field through an encounter he had at Project Homeless Connect. Since then, he has received his certification as a Peer Support Specialist. Chris is a WRAP and SMART Recovery facilitator. He is passionate about the work that he does, supporting individuals on their path to recovery, empowering them to recognize their own strengths and inspiring hope!
Lisa DeCoteau, CPSS
Community Leadership Coordinator
Lisa is beginning her career in the peer support movement in Nebraska at the Wellbeing Initiative as a Recovery Support Specialist Trainer. She is currently a WRAP and SMART Recovery Facilitator. Lisa brings her lived experience, sincere interest in others, and determination to provide hope within the community. Lisa imparts a sense of connectedness and empathy that adapts to those around her. She is determined to hone her skills as an advocate and educator by continuous growth and understanding in recovery and whole health. Her goal is to share her strengths to lift others up and impact individuals in a positive way. Lisa is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe. Self care and humor are priorities that she instills in her three daughters and baby boy. She has a passion for the culinary arts, books, and nature.
Community Leaders
Nebraska Peer Advisory Board
The Mission of the Nebraska Peer Advisory Board is to build and maintain cohesiveness and sustainability of the peer movement in the state of Nebraska. They work in a collaborative manner to serve over all six regions.
Tommy Newcombe, CPSS
Advisory Board Chair
Tommy Newcombe is dedicated to the success of peer support in Nebraska and across the nation. Follow the link to find out more about Tommy and the rest of the Advisory Board.
Lisa Guell, CPSS
Advisory Board Secretary
Lisa, growing up in the panhandle of Nebraska and ultimately it becoming home, has worked with the public her entire life. She has a passion for caring for others needs. Follow the link to find out more about Lisa and the rest of the Advisory Board.
Tammy Fiala, CPSS
Tammy Fiala serves as the Region 3 Consumer Specialist for 22 counties in south central Nebraska. Follow the link to find out more about Tammy and the rest of the Advisory Board.
Michelle Gerdes, CPSS
Michelle Gerdes is a Nebraska State Certified Peer Support Specialist with Lutheran Family Services. She has worked as peer support in the Region 6 area for 3 years. Follow the link to find out more about Michelle and the rest of the Advisory Board.
Kevin Karmazin, CPSWS
Kevin is a Peer Support Specialist for Mental Health Association of Nebraska, working out of the Honu Home, a transition home for people with behavioral health disorders coming out of incarceration. Follow the link to find out more about Kevin and the rest of the Advisory Board.
Abigail Dawdy
Abigail’s interest in community building started 10 years ago, working for UNMC’s College of Public Health. Follow the link to find out more about Abigail and the rest of the Advisory Board.
Jon Thomsen, CPSS
Jon is a Certified Peer Support and Wellness Specialist and is the supervisor for two peer support programs with Community Alliance. Follow the link to find out more about Jon and the rest of the Advisory Board.
Corey Brockway, CPSWS
Corey Brockway has served as a Region 2 Human Services Consumer Specialist since 2007. Region II serves 17 counties in west central Nebraska. Follow the link to find out more about Corey and the rest of the Advisory Board.
Deb Turner, CPSS
Deb Turner is a certified Family Peer Support Specialist for Independence Rising, where she will be working with families to provide services and supports to families raising a child or young adult who is experiencing social, emotional, addiction, or behavioral health challenges in their home, school, community and/or placement. Follow the link to find out more about Deb and the rest of the Advisory Board
Ken Timmerman, CPSWS
Follow the link to find out more about Ken and the rest of the Advisory Board.
PEER ORGANIZED • PEER DRIVEN • PEER RUN
Stay tuned for more information regarding our website and combined efforts across the state to bring peers and peer support specialists together as one cohesive group. Contact Us for More Info!
(402) 314-9387
NCPDS@winitiative.org
Wellbeing Initiatives, Inc. 3900 Old Cheney Rd, Suite 201-300, Lincoln NE 68516
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