Get to Know Ashley Morgan
Ashley Morgan, M.Ed., LPCC-S, LICDC, recently joined NEOMED as the Director of Substance Use Deflection Initiative, which is part of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence (CJCCOE). Learn more about Ashley and make sure to welcome her to the NEOMED community!
What brought you to NEOMED?
I have been in the field since 2005 in various roles. I was recently working on the HEALing Communities Study coordinating evidenced-based practice to reduce opioid overdose in Jefferson County. When this role was posted at NEOMED, it was an exciting opportunity for me to continue to serve people with substance use disorder and the people caring for them on a larger scale. NEOMED and the Coordinating Centers of Excellence are well respected and do incredible work, and I feel grateful to have landed among this team.
Where did you grow up?
Armstrong Mills, Ohio.
What will be your main role here?
Director of the Substance Use Deflection Initiative.
Could you tell us a little about the Substance Use Deflection Initiative?
The Substance Use Deflection Initiative is under the umbrella of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence within the Department of Psychiatry. Our role is to establish Coordinating Center of Excellence functions for deflection efforts for the state of Ohio so we aim to gather and disseminate information on best practices, create learning environments, offer training and technical assistance, and assist in coordination of all of the work happening across the state. Currently we are working on completing a Quick Response Team Inventory, which will give us a good understanding of the landscape of the work happening and will inform our efforts moving forward. We are also working to identify strategies to increase communities in Ohio using harm reduction and health care organizations referring to deflection teams.
What are your favorite places to visit in Northeast Ohio?
I love being outside and one of my favorite hikes is the Salt Run Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. My favorite place to get a burger is Whitey’s in Richfield, Ohio, and my favorite taco place is Condado.
What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween!
Tell us about your family. Any pets?
I am married and have four fur babies. Our cats are Spike, Lyca, Hexa and Goblin.
What was the last series you watched and would you recommend it?
I just recently watched Tacoma FD. It feels like The Office or Parks and Recreation, if they were set in a fire department. I definitely recommend it if you enjoy comedy.
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