Local mental health, addictions and education professionals will provide free online learning opportunities for community as part of Hope Academy Speaker Series.

Hope Academy, a tuition-free, public charter high school for teens in recovery from substance use disorders, will host three free online learning opportunities as part of its upcoming Speaker Series events. The goal of the Speaker Series is to provide additional tools and resources to professionals who work with adolescents.

“We are fortunate to have dedicated board members who are also some of the best in their fields,” said Rachelle Gardner, Executive Director of Hope Academy. “As we continue to adjust as students return to in-person classroom instruction, the Hope Academy Board is eager to share their collective expertise and serve as a resource to our community, especially those who serve young people.”

The Speaker Series will feature the following Hope Academy Board Members and topics:

February 11: Child Trauma in School Settings, presented by Dr. Angela Tomlin. Dr. Angela Tomlin is Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Director of the Section of Child Development, and Director of the Riley Child Development Center LEND Program located at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

March 17: Addressing the Challenge of Youth Marijuana Use, presented by Janice Gabe, LCSW, LCAC. Janice Gabe is the Founder and President of New Perspectives of Indiana.

April 29: Co-creating a Satisfying Patient/Family & Provider Meeting, presented by Dr. Ukamaka Oruche. Dr. Ukamaka Oruche is the Director of Global Programs and Associate Professor of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing at the Indiana University School of Nursing.

To learn more and register for any of these upcoming events, visit hopeacademyrhs.org/speaker-series All presentations will be hosted virtually via Zoom and are free to attend. If you have questions, please contact Mariann Williams at mwilliams@hopeacademyrhs.org.