Featured Students

Margarita Chavez Potter, CDCA, RA is earning the bachelor’s in social work at the University of Cincinnati graduating in August 2025. She will complete internship at Recovery & Wellness Centers of MW Oh, Darke, Miami & Preble Counties.  She received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement.  She will be attending the 2025 Ohio Problem Gambling Conference, Nationwide Conference Center, Lewis Center, Ohio.  

Jessica Deese, CDCA, Ohio Prevention Registered Applicant, applicant for LCDC II, is earning the bachelor’s in social work at the University of Cincinnati graduating in December 2025.  She will complete internship at Divine Intervention Recovery Center in Summer/Fall 2025. Jessica is completing a 2025 Problem Gambling Prevention Intern where she will serve as the Problem Gambling Coalition Outreach Committee Vice Chair for Communications. She received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement.

Raymond L. Elam Jr. SWA, LCDC II, is earning the bachelor’s in social work at the University of Cincinnati graduating in August 2025.  He will complete internship at Haven of Ohio (Montgomery County) in Spring/Summer 2025. Raymond received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement. He will be attending the 2025 Ohio Problem Gambling Conference, Nationwide Conference Center, Lewis Center, Ohio.  

Michelle Gabbard (Hamilton, Ohio, Butler County), Chemical Dependency Counselor (CDCA), Certified Family and Peer Support Specialist, Community Health Worker, and a Prevention Registered Applicant through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Board. She is an intern with SAMHSA 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office through The Washington Federal Intern program, a stakeholder for EMPOWER project, and an Ohio Representative for SAMHSA planning committee’s project working to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes. Michelle will complete her credentialing education in 2024 for the Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant (OCPSA) through the University of Cincinnati. She will earn her bachelor’s in social work and substance use counseling from the University of Cincinnati in 2025, with an interest in advocacy and public health policy. Michelle was recently announced as a recipient of a $2000 Mary T. Woelfel Scholarship in recognition of her hard work, dedication and determination as a student. She received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement.

Jennifer Hopkins (Fairfield, Ohio, Butler County), Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC II) is an Ohio Prevention Registered Applicant with an interest in suicide, substance misuse and problem gambling prevention. Jennifer earned an Addiction Studies Associates of Arts degree from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in 2022. She will earn the bachelor’s in social work from the University of Cincinnati in 2025 and is completing continuing education to earn the Ohio Gambling Disorder (GAMB) Endorsement. She received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement.

Bethany McNeal (Circleville, Pickaway County), earned an associate degree in Christian Ministry from Highlands College, Birmingham, AL in 2018. She is earning the bachelor’s in social work at the University of Cincinnati graduating in August 2025. Bethany is applying as an Ohio Prevention Registered Applicant and earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement. Bethany will represent the Problem Gambling Coalition SW OH in staffing an information table at the August 2024, Ohio Prevention Conference in Columbus Ohio. She received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement.

Madison Noble (Cincinnati, Hamilton County) served as 1 of the 30 Prevention Interns funded in Ohio for 2023-2024.  She is a Prevention Registered Applicant through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board and a founding member of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Coalition of SW OH.  She was a 2023-2024 member of the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation. She received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement.

Katrina Richcreek (Coshocton, Ohio) earned an Associate degree of Applied Science Central Ohio Technical College, Newark, Ohio in May 2022. Katrina is  anticipated to graduate in August 2025 with a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Cincinnati. Katrina is working on earning the Ohio Problem Gambling Treatment Endorsement. Katrina serves as a Problem Gambling Coalition liaison to her county. She received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement.

Natosha Roberson (Belpre, Washington County) attended Washington State Community College – Social Service Transfer Program – Spring 2021 to May 2023. She is earning the bachelor’s in social work at UC, graduating in August 2025. Natosha is an Ohio Prevention Registered Applicant and has completed the continuing education required for the OCPSA credential. Natosha is an Ohio Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and working toward earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement. She received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement.

Mariam Soumare will earn an Associates of Arts with focus on social work from UC Blue Ash College in Spring 2025. Mariam is a UC Blue Ash College New Student Orientation Leader. Mariam serves as 1 of the 2 Student Government Senators for UC Blue Ash College. She has earned the Ohio Prevention Registered Applicant and is a 2024-2025 Problem Gambling Prevention Intern based at UC Blue Ash College. She received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement.

Victoria Stauffer (Cincinnati, Hamilton County) is earning the bachelor’s in social work at the University of Cincinnati graduating in August 2025. Victoria recently applied for the Ohio Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant credential and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement. Since, January 2023, she has been a member of the National Association of Social Workers. She was selected as a NASW Ohio Chapter, Region 6 2024 Student of the Year. She received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement.