A learning community is a group of people that share common goals and meet regularly to learn with and from others who are working on similar goals.
Through a combination of in-person training, individualized coaching, peer learning, and practical application, participants will enhance the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage coalition operations, engage members, and sustain community impact.
The following 12 coalitions that have been successfully accepted into the learning community will receive a $7,000 flexible learning stipend to support participation and implementation of coalition-selected deliverables.
Deb Robison, LSW, is a social worker, systems builder, and coalition leader with decades of experience bringing schools, families, community organizations, behavioral health providers, and state partners together to improve outcomes for children and youth.
Her career has centered on building collaborative solutions across systems. She has founded, led and participated in numerous school and community coalitions, including the Norwood Community Coalition and ASAP Norwood Prevention Coalition. Deb's work is grounded in relationship-building, shared purpose, and the belief that lasting change happens when communities work together.
Jessica Wright is a prevention and behavioral health professional with experience coordinating and facilitating mental health, substance use prevention, and community education initiatives across Ohio. She is a Registered Applicant through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board and holds instructor certifications in Adult, Youth, and Teen Mental Health First Aid, Responding to Addiction, EnCompass, and Minimize Risk / Maximize Life.
Jessica Wright is a prevention and behavioral health professional with experience coordinating and facilitating mental health, substance use prevention, and community education initiatives across Ohio. She is a Registered Applicant through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board and holds instructor certifications in Adult, Youth, and Teen Mental Health First Aid, Responding to Addiction, EnCompass, and Minimize Risk / Maximize Life.
Ramona is an independent evaluator, researcher, and educator with over 10 years of expertise in teaching and five years of experience working with community coalitions. She has experience in fostering community partnerships and translating complex ideas into actionable insights for diverse audiences. Romona lives and works in Lucas County and has been actively involved in two coalitions comprised of diverse stakeholders: the Lucas County Substance Use Response Coalition and Welcome Toledo–Lucas County, where she participated in strategic planning and partner coordination activities.
Sharyse N. Jones has over 20 years of experience overseeing prevention, mentoring, behavioral health, academic and social enrichment programs for disadvantaged youth, young adults and families. She is also experienced in providing crisis intervention to persons living with domestic violence, mental health and substance use disorders in residential settings as well as in the community at large. Sharyse is very proud of the work she has done in support of the next generation of behavioral health clinicians.
Sharyse continues her dedication to higher education and leadership as an active member of the graduate community of the Neighborhood Leadership Development Program (NLDP), the former Treasurer & Program Committee Chair for the African-American Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), the secretary of the CWRU Mandel School Alumni Board and President of the Board of Trustees of Foluke Cultural Arts Center. Sharyse is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW-S) who graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a Master of Science in Social Administration.
Throughout her career in prevention and coalition work, Tazeen has naturally assumed coaching and mentoring roles, guiding colleagues, volunteers, and community partners in developing the skills and confidence needed to advance public health goals. She provides regular supervision and mentorship to approximately eight individuals, supports their professional development, clinical growth, and day-to-day practice in prevention and behavioral health work. Tazeen’s mentoring approach is rooted in meeting people where they are, identifying their individual strengths, and creating a supportive environment where growth is both encouraged and celebrated. She believes that effective coaching is not about prescribing solutions but about asking the right questions, actively listening, and empowering others to discover their own capacity for leadership and impact.
Mamta Bajgain is a project coordinator at OSPF, where she supports the planning and delivery of suicide prevention programs and outreach efforts across Ohio. Mamta was inspired to join OSPF by the impact suicide has had on her Bhutanese Nepali community and other groups, where stigma and lack of access often prevent people from seeking help. Her work focuses on building culturally responsive relationships with partners and communities, ensuring that support is visible and approachable.
Mamta earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Miami University. With a background in education, she developed strong organizational, communication, and coordination skills through her work with elementary and middle school students. She brings this experience into her role at OSPF, where she supports training, presentations, and community campaigns.
