The CDAC Difference
May, 2015
Vol. 3 Issue 5
Leashia’s message to staff . . .
We recently received the following employee suggestion:
“In the trauma stewardship book that Leashia bought for
everyone, there was an idea that I liked. The idea was to
create something by which employees could
anonymously express their gratitude to their coworkers.
I was thinking you could have a place in the newsletter
where people could ANONYMOUSLY say nice things
about coworkers.”
I think this is a wonderful idea. Feeling gratitude for
what's going well in life has a remarkable impact on how
we feel about ourselves and the world around us. Positive
psychology research demonstrates that gratitude is
strongly associated with greater happiness and fulfillment.
͋͋
conversation is encouraged.
Beginning this month we will accept expressions of
gratitude for coworkers and highlight them in our
newsletter. Please place your comments in Becky’s
box if you wish to remain anonymous or email them to
her if you like. All statements will be kept confidential
and not identified in the newsletter. Let me be the first
person to get the ball rolling and say thank you to the
person who made the suggestion. We should all be
grateful that you work to “Make a Difference” at CDAC.
Leashia
When Mark Twain said, "I can live two months on a good
compliment," he only told half the story. While the person
who receives the praise enjoys feeling noticed and valued
(and is motivated to do more of the same), the giver can
also bask in the connection. With every compliment
given, a bond is strengthened, trust is built, and
Board Spotlight
Capt. Tom Lyter joined
the CDAC Board in
November, 2013.
Pensacola Police Captain Tommi Lyter was born in
Lewistown, PA. He has an older sister, Gina and a twin
brother, Todd. His father served in the United States
Navy so his family lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia;
Thompson, Maine; Lakehurst, New Jersey; Atsugi,
Japan; and Pensacola, Florida.
Tommi attended three different high schools but
graduated from Escambia High in 1987. He attended
college at Pensacola State College and Troy State
University earning a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal
Justice and a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in
Quantico, VA.
He was hired as a police officer in August 1990, and
was promoted to sergeant and lieutenant prior to his
most recent promotion to Captain on September 15,
2014. Among his assignments at the Pensacola
Police Department have been Uniform Patrol,
Investigations, TAC, SWAT, K-9, dive team, and field
training officer.
As the Administration Captain at the department, his
hands are full overseeing daily operations. Among his
responsibilities are updating and writing new general
orders, Training and Personnel, Special Projects,
Internal Affairs, cadets, grants, accreditation, media
relations, budget and planning, and the recently
implemented body camera system.
Capt. Lyter and his wife Brenda, have been married 24
years and have three adult children. They enjoy hiking,
camping and spending time with their three-month-old
grandson, Marlin, and four-year-old granddaughter,
Brooklynn.
One of the not-too-well-known facts about Capt. Lyter
is that he began playing golf approximately six months
ago. “I’m terrible at it, but I am addicted,” he said.
This means it’s now safe for people to return to
miniature golf courses in the area.
CDAC – Supporting Positive Lifestyles and Choices for Families
and Communities through Prevention and Intervention
The CDAC Difference
Page 2
May, 2015
Vol. 3, Issue 5
Staff Spotlight
I loved teaching, too, and may consider doing that again
someday.
My 11-year-old son, Jackson, keeps me busy at home.
He’s quite a character and is certain he’s going to be a
game show host one day! His preference would be
Family Feud, although he has crafted his own game
show that he is going to “pitch to a network” one day.
He almost has me convinced that he doesn’t need to
learn pre-algebra because of his game show career.
Kathleen Guy joined the
Santa Rosa RISE team in
August, 2014, as the
Preventionist at Avalon,
Hobbs, and Sims Middle
Schools.
Hi everybody, I’m Kathleen Guy, and I’m thrilled to be
part of Santa Rosa RISE’s first year! I am an only child,
born and raised in Pensacola. I attended Catholic
schools growing up. I received an AA in Criminal
Justice from Pensacola State College and a BSW and
MSW from UWF.
During my last undergrad year, I had the pleasure of
working at Currie House, a shelter for teens who have
nowhere else to go, usually due to abuse in their
homes. Working with those kids was a very rewarding
experience. The resilience they showed in the face of
really terrible circumstances was incredible. Partly
inspired by my time at Currie House (and partly
because I seriously considered becoming a perpetual
student), I went right into the MSW program at UWF. I
enjoyed grad school and actually got to teach three
semesters of an undergrad substance abuse course.
Jackson and I love to travel, and we are fortunate to
have a lot of family in Newfoundland, Canada that we
visit every few years. It’s fun to look for icebergs off the
coast as we make the landing. Our family home is on
the side of a mountain with incredible views of the North
Atlantic Ocean right from the backyard! Last summer,
we visited Dollywood and the Great Smoky Mountains.
This year, we are going to Universal Studios. Jackson
can’t wait to see the Harry Potter World of Wizardry!
My spare time is spent reading, watching guiltypleasure TV, spending time with my boyfriend, John
David, and attending Sacred Heart Cathedral.
I have really enjoyed my first year at CDAC. Getting to
know the students at each of my three schools has
been the highlight. Just when I think I have them all
figured out, they throw me a curveball! I’m also grateful
to work with an awesome team here and I’m excited to
see what’s next!
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day
of remembrance for those who have died in service of
the United States of America.
Memorial Day was borne out of the Civil War and a
desire to honor our dead. It was officially proclaimed on
May 5, 1868, by General John Logan, national
commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his
General Order No. 11. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of
strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died
in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in
almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed.
The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the
anniversary of any particular battle.
Memorial Day Holiday – Monday, May 25
The CDAC Difference
May, 2015
Page 3
Vol. 3, Issue 5
Staff Spotlight
Tiffany Ferree began
working at CDAC in
December, 2014, as the
RISE II-E Preventionist II
at Oakcrest Elementary
School.
Tiffany Ferree, Preventionist II at Oakcrest Elementary
School, has been a proud CDAC employee since
December, 2014. Tiffany was born a Chicago Bears fan
in Waukegan, Illinois. When she was 5 years old, her
parents did the unthinkable and transplanted the family
to Kenosha, Wisconsin. Tiffany spent her childhood
defending her beloved Bears in the land of
Cheeseheads, and the days of “The Super Bowl
Shuffle” were replaced by days of listening to kids sing
“The Bears Still Suck” each day on the school bus.
Tiffany grew and eventually left her Wisconsin home to
serve in the US Navy as an Aviation Electrician. She
had one year of accounting school completed at the
time. She also had experience in retail sales, sandwich
artistry, and warehouse shipping and receiving. The
military has been responsible for Tiffany living in
Michigan, Washington, California, Florida, and Japan.
The GI Bill is responsible for helping Tiffany become the
first person in her family to graduate college.
After the Navy, Tiffany went back to working retail
management, and she returned to school. She had a
seat in a physical therapist program when she found
out she needed to move for her husband’s job. Tiffany
was disappointed at first, but she soon realized it was
more enjoyable to take pleasure in the journey. The
move led to her earning a Bachelor’s in English and
Sociology. Tiffany now aspires to teach sociology
online when she retires. She values how sociology has
shaped the lens through which she views the world,
and she wants to share that with others…eventually.
When Tiffany moved to Pensacola in 2010, the
economy was not very good. She was at a career fair
when she was offered a grant to get a Master of Social
Work degree. Tiffany did not know how awesome
social work was at the time. She was pretty sure social
workers were the people who work at DCF or the Food
Stamp office. Tiffany did some research, and she found
out a social worker was exactly what she was
supposed to be when she grew up. She just didn’t
know the name for the job. Tiffany earned her MSW
from UWF in 2013. She served as the Veterans
Subcommittee Chair for the EscaRosa Coalition of the
Homeless while she was working with the homeless
Veteran population. Tiffany has been working with 5th
graders at Oakcrest Elementary School since
December 2014. She is very passionate about
resiliency, and she really loves working at Oakcrest.
Tiffany has been a member of NASW since 2011 and a
member of the Pensacola Bears Fan Club since 2014.
She is an outgoing introvert that prefers quiet at the
end of the day. It takes her a little bit to get warmed up
to people she does not know, but you would never
guess that she is an introvert once she gets to know
you.
Program Highlight
RISE I-E, Molino Park Elementary School
One of the RISE 5th grade students (who was in the program last semester), was chosen as Student of the Year
for Molino Park Elementary last month. Students in grades 3-5 are in the process of completing end-of-the-year
testing. RISE students have begun working on their community service project, and are looking forward to the "Fun
Day" that has been planned for them by RISE I-E staff. This event will take place on Tuesday, May 19, 2015,
beginning at 10:30 a.m. Students will be able to enjoy a day of playing organized games (to promote teamwork
and good sportsmanship), eating refreshments, and watching a school-approved movie. Parents have been invited
to attend this event.
The CDAC Difference
Page 4
Vol. 3 Issue 5
May, 2015
Program Highlights
Continuing Education Program
The Continuing Education Program is about to close
another successful year. Leann Knapp’s Cognitive
Behavioral Techniques, Part II, closes out the year on
Friday, May 22, with 19 registered so far. Completion of
CBT Part I is required to attend Part II.
During the year, CDAC offered 11 trainings providing a
total of 31 CEUs. CDAC staff received a total of 366
CEUs/training hours through this program – saving
the agency $3,660.00 in staff trainings.
CDAC’s CE Program is partnering with Access
Behavioral Health, Children’s Home Society, DCF,
Lakeview Center, Criminal Justice Training Center, and
Twelve Oaks for a Trauma Informed Care workshop,
The Many Faces of Trauma: A Day of Hope and
Healing. The keynote speaker will be Mr. Timothy
Jones. At each workshop, three one-hour sessions will
be presented for 1 CEU each for a total of 3 CEUs.
National Prevention Week, May 17-23
All CDAC staff are (strongly) encouraged to take the
Prevention Pledge on the SAMSHA website:
http://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week
(If you are unable to log on, Linda will provide a hard copy of
the pledge for you to complete.)
National Prevention Week is a SAMHSA-supported
annual health observance dedicated to increasing public
awareness of, and action around, substance abuse and
mental health issues. The theme this year is
“The Voice of One, the Power of All.”
Linda and Denise have scheduled ten Prevention events
around the community during National Prevention Week
that will educate the community and promote prevention
efforts. For more information, contact Linda at
[email protected].
Prevention Education and Awareness
CDAC Helping to Ensure a Safe Graduation Night!
Project Graduation 2015 is CDAC’s 30th year of
supporting these celebrations. It is fast approaching
with our first Project Graduation on May 16, 2015.
These all-night drug and alcohol free celebrations are a
way for our graduates to learn a lifelong lesson – that
you can have fun with your friends without using drugs
or alcohol. This year Project Graduations will be held at
Sam’s Fun City, UWF, OOPs Alley, Corry Station and a
few other venues. CDAC staff thanks our community
sponsors, our board members, and each school’s
chairperson for their support.
WFIS – Women and Family Intervention Services
The 22nd Annual “Celebration of Success” was a
great success. It is so important that we acknowledge
the efforts of our clients who work so hard to conquer
the seemingly undefeatable foe called addiction. The
event was well supported by the CDAC Staff,
Community Partners, and Board Members. Most
importantly the clients were given the opportunity to
share their stories of struggle and hope.
The WFIS Case Managers were afforded the
opportunity to see the fruit of their labor and have their
hard work and client support and advocacy publically
recognized by their clients and in the company of their
peers. The food was good, Deborah sang beautifully
and… IT DID NOT STORM!! Whew, what a relief.
And now, the WFIS staff would like to send a special
“Thank You” to CDAC CEO, Leashia Scrivner, for
allowing us to do what we do best and supporting
us and the clients all the way.
WFIS will be participating in the upcoming Healthy
Start Baby Showers in Escambia, Santa Rosa and
Okaloosa counties. Escambia County- May 16th at
Legion Field from 9 am-12 pm; Okaloosa County- May
21st at the Emerald Coast Convention Center from 5:30
pm- 8:30 pm; October 10th at the Santa Rosa County
Auditorium from 9 am- 12 pm.
CDAC’s Workplace Wellness Program
Pretty new fence at the CDAC Admin Building.
More improvements to come!
coming soon! Lots of opportunities to
“Support Healthy Lifestyles” in our own
lives and have fun while we’re doing it!
The CDAC Difference
Page 5
May, 2015
School Programs
CDAC Making a Difference . . .
One of Heather Moller’s students at Santa Rosa High
School reported that she told a friend of hers who had
an outburst in class, “I was about to get kicked out of
the school and Mrs. Moller taught me how to handle
my anger better. Now they told me I can come back
next year. She helped me a lot and you should really
talk to her.”
Comments from ECHO Students at GBHS:
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“It helped me find friends and learn how to
handle my problems better.”
“I learned how to be less depressed and angry.”
“I learned how my thoughts control everything
and I control my thoughts!”
“I have found my confidence and I feel better
about myself. I don’t need to wear pounds of
makeup anymore.”
“I can actually calm myself down and I can talk
to others without mumbling now.”
“I learned how to find true friends, not to let
everything hurt me, and I am more at ease and
not angry as much.”
“I learned that when you are struggling with
things in your life and you talk about it to the
group, it makes you feel good inside, plus the
people in the group give good advice.”
An ECHO student at Pace High School who has
received services for the last three years has received
an academic scholarship to USF. She is grateful for
all the support and services through ECHO. Over the
years she received individual & group support
addressing grief issues, self-harm, and depression.
She has come a long way and is thrilled to “Have made
it” and on her way to a promising college career in
science.
ECHO – Education and Counseling for High School
Opportunities
Leann Knapp has been very busy at Gulf Breeze High
School with three stress management groups and a
Life Skills Training group meeting weekly. The group
sessions are ending and students are completing group
evaluations. Most are sad that group is ending and
hope to participate in the ECHO program again next
year. In the next few weeks, Leann will be meeting
with the 23 Level II students for their final reviews of
progress, post surveys, and client satisfaction surveys.
Leann is still receiving new Level I student referrals and
teaching them stress relieving skills and making
necessary referrals for students needing services
through the summer months.
Vol. 3 Issue 5
School Programs (continued)
At Navarre High School, fourteen female students
have been actively engaged in stress management
groups this semester. Both groups have focused
extensively on the thought/feeling connection,
improving communication skills, and building selfesteem. Students have learned how to identify their
thoughts and change them to ones that are more
helpful and true in an effort to improve their mood.
They have also learned to use “I” statements in order
to better address relational conflicts that they are
experiencing. Finally, students have been actively
working on improving their self-esteem by identifying
positive qualities that they have as well as qualities
that they would like to acquire.
At the Learning Academy, Anna Fabris has officially
moved in to a designated space for the ECHO
program. There will be adequate space to start group
sessions next fall. With the state testing, referrals
have slowed down somewhat; however, 4 new
students were referred at Central School and 1 new
student was referred at Learning Academy. There is
an increase in stress for students due to the testing
and upcoming EOC exams, so reviewing stress
management techniques has been very helpful for
them and the majority of the focus for April.
At Pace High School, Stephanie Peterson, has been
busy wrapping up groups for the year. In addition,
Stephanie was available for school wide grief
counseling following the death of three Pace High
“family” members over a one week period. Many
students received general group grief education,
while others came for some 1:1 support. The BAC
also provided two school psychologists to service the
school during this difficult time.
At Milton High School, Ashley has received more
new referrals and students requesting services. The
2nd semester Stress Management group just ended,
and students reported they have successfully
lowered their stress levels and learned how to
better manage future stressors. Transitions group
for 11th and 12th graders also ended recently, and
group members stated they were excited to have
learned so many helpful skills. Students even
asked if they could continue meeting since the
weekly groups were the highlight of their weeks.
Individually, many students are reporting successes
in their lives from
The CDAC Difference
Page 6
May, 2015
Vol. 3 Issue 5
Staff June Anniversaries
Kristi Lewis
June 1, 2012
3 years
Staff June Birthdays
Pensacola Happenings
June 4
Radio Live – Commerce Museum
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Bands on the Beach, 7–9 pm
June 4, 11, 18, 25
Evening in Olde Seville Square
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Autumn Wingate
June 04
Amberlyne Greco
June 08
June 19
Brittany Horton
June 08
Community Maritime Park Amphitheater events:
Sandra Maupin
June 08
Kristi Lewis
June 10
Kathy Asbury
June 23
June 7, 14, 21, 28 Blues Angel Music Blues on the
Bay, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
June 26, 7:30 p.m. Drive In Movie Series
Lana Kaurman
June 23
Denise Manassa
June 26
Gallery Night
June Health Observances
June Month-Long Observances
 Cataract Awareness Month - Prevent Blindness America - www.preventblindness.org
 National Safety Month – National Safety Council – www.nsc.org
 National Great Outdoors Month - American Recreation Coalition – www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org
June One-Week Observances
 National Men’s Health Week – June 15 - 21 – National Men’s Health Network.– www.menshealthweek.org
June One-Day Observances
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World Environment Day – June 5 – United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – www.unep.org/wed
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National Trails Day – June 6 - American Hiking Society – www.americanhiking.org
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National Cancer Survivors Day – June 7 - National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation – www.ncsdf.org
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World Blood Donor Day – June 14 – www.who.int/world-blood-donor-day
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National HIV Testing Day – June 27 – AIDS.gov – www.aids.gov
CDAC is sponsored in part by
Big Bend Community Based Care and
the Florida Department of Children and Families and is a United Way Partner Agency.