Awards
Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) Award Winners
CPRS of the Year
This award is presented to the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in Tennessee, who has, over the past year, consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty. This person is a living model of the recovery principles. The person who receives the CPRS of the Year Award has done exceptional work with helping peers with mental health and/or substance use disorder on their journey, while moving forward in their own recovery.
2023 Winners: Barbara Ann Nelson and Will Taylor
2022 Winners: Jessica Stanley and Sayle Anderson-Hudson
2021 Winners: Suzette “Suzie” Fledderjohn and Chris Moore
2020 Winner: Jason Abernathy
2019 Winner: William L. Odom, Jr.
2018 Winner: Amanda Donnely Paddon
2017 Winner: Len Pipkin
2016 Winners: Dave Hodges and Michelle Webster
Patsy Cronk Mentor of the Year Award
This award is in honor of Patsy Cronk, who was the Coordinator for “Friends and Company Peer Support Center” in Cookeville. This award is presented to the CPRS who as Patsy did, demonstrates exceptional role modeling and mentoring of other CPRS’s. This CPRS is not afraid to speak out on injustices, has been instrumental in consumer rights. The person who receives the Patsy Cronk Mentor of the Year Award has a heart of gold and always makes time for other CPRS’s. This CPRS always empowers and supports all peers in their recovery journey.
2023 Winners: Charity Perry and Emory Young
2022 Winner: Jaime Harper
2021 Winner: Rachel Loveday
2020 Winner: Ron Morton
2019 Winner: Connie L. Neese Ramsey
2018 Winner: Micki McBroom
2017 Winner: Ken Barton
2016 Winner: Sheryl McCormick
Community Service Award
This award is presented to the CPRS who, over the past year, who has been an exemplary model of community service. The work they have done with-in the mental health and/or substance use community has not only challenged stigma, but also empowered all CPRS’s to have pride in themselves and the profession of CPRS’s. The person who receives the Community Service Award has accomplished this through education, advocacy, or efforts of prevention.
2023 Winner: Justin Cantrell
2022 Winner: Jason Daughtry
2021 Winner: Jessica Stanley
2020 Winner: Becca Humphrey
2019 Winner: Tonya Holman
2018 Winner: Rose M. Turney
2017 Winner: Lori Rash
2016 Winners: Lori Rash and Tracy McClain
Advocate of Peer Recovery Service - Individual
This award is presented to the individual who has, over the past year, been at the forefront of advocating for peer recovery services to empower those living in Tennessee with a mental health and/or substance use disorder. He/She has championed the advancement of peer recovery services across our State. The person who receives this award has done exceptional work in the peer service movement.
2023 Winner: Jessica Stanley
2022 Winner: Amy Coleman
2021 Winner: Rachel Loveday
2020 Winner: Marta Hernandez-Fontenot
2019 Winner: Ken Barton
2018 Winner: Constandina Savvenas
2017 Winner: Jessica Collins
2016 Winner: Emma Johnson
Advocate of Peer Recovery Services - Group/Agency
This award is presented to the agency or group that has, over the past year, been at the forefront advocating for peer recovery services which empowers those living in Tennessee with a mental health and/or substance use disorder. This agency or group has championed the advancement of peer recovery services across our State. The agency or group which receives this award has done exceptional work in the peer services movement.
2023 Winner: Hustle Recovery
2022 Winner: East Tennessee State University Addiction Science Center
2021 Winner: Metro Drug Coalition
2020 Winner: 180 Health Partners StrongWell
2019 Winner: Tennessee Recovery Navigators
2018 Winner: BlueCare Tennessee- Behavioral Health Department
2017 Winner: The Next Door
2016 Winner: Project Lifeline
Certified Family Support Specialist (CFSS) Award Winners
CFSS of the Year
This award is presented to the Certified Family Support Specialist (CFSS) in Tennessee who over the past year, has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty. This person has done exceptional work helping parents/caregivers with navigating the mental health system on their journey of restoring hope to families. They have championed the advancement of family support services across our state. The person who receives this award has done exceptional work in the family support services movement. Congratulations to:
2023 – Megan Williams
Community Service Award
This award is presented to the Certified Family Support Specialist (CFSS) who over the past year, has been an exemplary model of community service. The work they have done within the mental health community has not only challenged stigma, but also empowered all CFSS’s to have pride in themselves and the profession of CFSS. The person who receives the Community Service Award has accomplished this through education. Congratulations to:
2023 – Lakeia Comer
Organizational Advocate of Family Support Services
This award is presented to the agency that has, over the past year, been at the forefront of advocating for family support services which empower families living in Tennessee with severe mental illness. This agency has championed the advancement of family support services across the state. The agency which receives this award has done exceptional work in the family support specialist movement. Congratulations to:
2023 – Mental Health Cooperative, Inc
Certified Pioneer Award
The Pioneer Award is presented to five distinguished individuals, who by their achievements in the field of family peer leadership, has uniquely contributed majorly to the growth and enhancement of family peer support in TN. These recipients performance in promoting CFSS is exemplary, honorable, and inspirational. Congratulations to:
2023 – Laritha Fentress, Karen Howell, Dawn Mitchell, Susan Ownby, and Roger Stewart
Certified Young Adult Peer Support Specialist (CYAPSS) Award Winners
CYAPSS of the Year
This award is presented to the Certified Young Adult Peer Support Specialist (CYAPSS) in Tennessee who over the past year, has consistently and noticeably gone above and beyond the call of duty. The person who received the CYAPSS of the Year Award has done exceptional work with supporting youth and young adults with navigating the youth mental health systems and has weaved youth voice and youth choice in all they do. They have empowered youth and fostered youth development within their role as a CYAPSS across our state. The person who receives this award has done applaudable work in the youth and young adult support services and supports the expansion of CYAPSS.
2023 – Shante Pink
Peer Progression
This award is presented to the CYAPSS who, over the past year, has shown great growth in their professional and personal peer skills. They have expanded their knowledge around young adult peer support services and youth engagement skills. This peer has incorporated the preferred skills at an exceptional level in their work daily. This CYAPSS has shown that they take pride in themselves and the profession of Certified Young Adult Peer Support Specialist and is consistently willing to increase their knowledge to better support youth and young adults in our services. The person who receives the Peer Progression Award has accomplished this through continuing education, drive, and efforts of prevention.
2023 – Angel Townsend
Young Adult Advocate
This award is presented to the CYAPSS that has, over the past year, been at the forefront of advocating for youth and young adult peer services which empower the young person living in Tennessee to use their voice and to have a seat at the decision-making table. This peer has paved ways for the advancement of young adult peer support services across the state and in their own community. The CYAPSS which receives this award has done exceptional work in the young adult peer support specialist movement.
2023 – Haley Burchette