After a remarkable 26-years of service to NACoA as President and CEO, Sis Wenger announced that she will be retiring on June 30, 2022.  Her announcement came during the April 30, 2022, board meeting.

NACoA is enormously grateful for Sis’ passionate leadership for over three decades having served as a board member, Board Chair, Executive Director, and President and CEO (1996 – present).  Her tireless dedication and contributions are unparalleled.  As a relentless champion for children, Sis has advocated for products and programs to help children and families impacted by addiction find a path to health, hope, and healing.  We are honored that Sis has accepted a continued role at NACoA as Chair Emerita (effective July 1, 2022). 

 “I certainly want to acknowledge the tremendous contributions Sis Wenger has made to the field and the profound impact her leadership has had upon the NACoA mission to eliminate the adverse impact of substance use on children and families. As a board, we welcome Sis’s transition to Chair Emerita. Thank you, Sis, for all you have done to impact generations of children and families.”

-Christopher Yadron, NACoA Board Chairman

We invite you to read Sis’s letter to friends and colleagues by clicking here>>

Sandy joined NACoA in February 2021 as Director of Operations with over 15-years of association management experience.  She has worked on several major initiatives while at NACoA and has helped to improve operational efficiencies and effectiveness.  Before joining NACoA, Sandy served as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the American Board of Addiction Medicine and the American College of Academic Addiction Medicine.  

While there Sandy took part in delivering two National Symposiums on Addiction Medicine that drew attention to the emerging field of Addiction Medicine and a Congressional briefing resulting in the introduction of bipartisan legislation to combat addiction by building a vibrant addiction medicine physician workforce focused on prevention and treatment.  Sandy was also the Founder and Principal of a Washington, DC based business for over 10-years that focused on community health and wellness.  Sandy is a native Washingtonian with a deep commitment to service.

“We have full confidence in Sandy Ogunfolu’s ability to serve effectively as Interim Executive Director. We begin the search for a permanent Executive Director with excitement as we look forward to this next stage in our mission. So much has been accomplished, and there is yet much to do.  On behalf of the board, I invite you to continue with us in much needed and important work.” 

-Christopher Yadron, NACoA Board Chairman

The NACoA Executive Director vacancy announcement can be found by clicking here>>>

Please share this announcement with your network and those you think would be interested in exploring this opportunity.

Workshop on Family-Focused Interventions to Prevent Substance Use Disorders in Adolescence

The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine hosted a two-day workshop in Washington, DC on May 5-6, 2022 that focused on family-focused prevention interventions targeted at preventing substance use and substance use disorder in adolescence.  The workshop also examined policy efforts to incorporate interventions into statewide health care strategies, barriers to implementation and lessons learned from successful interventions. 

NACoA board members Hoover Adger, Jr and Terri Powell participated in this enlightening family-focused event which is full of material that supports NACoA’s mission and vision.  Terri Powell served as a member of the committee that hosted this important activity and Hoover Adger participated as one of the presenters.  Click Here to access the agenda, a video playlist of each of the presentations from the two-day event and to access the presentation materials. 

Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness – June 27th & 28th on PBS 

This Ken Burns PBS documentary series follows the journeys of more than 20 young Americans from all over the country and all walks of life, who have struggled with thoughts and feelings that have troubled—and, at times—overwhelmed them. Hiding in Plain Sight presents an unstinting look at both the seemingly insurmountable obstacles faced by those who live with mental disorders and the hope that many have found after that storm. View the trailer here >>

NACoA’s Continued Partnership with Sesame Street

NACoA continues to partner with Sesame Street in the ongoing story of one of the newest Muppets Karli, as she and her mother continue in their recovery. Click Here to find Karli’s story in the Sesame Street in Communities parental addiction section. Videos and other content help to spread the messages that kids like Karli need to hear most: it’s not your fault, you’re not alone, and there are safe people and places that can help. Click here for the section available Spanish>>

Share these great resources with those working with young children impacted by addiction.