The SOAR Leadership Academy: An Attendee’s Perspective

Guest post by Suzie Brady, SOAR Specialist, Health Community Collaborative at Austin Travis County Integral Care in Austin, Texas

The SOAR TA Center has asked Local Leads who have participated in a SOAR Leadership Academy to share their experiences. Suzie Brady from Austin, Texas attended the Charleston, South Carolina SOAR Leadership Academy in August 2016.

I can't say enough about my SOAR Leadership Academy experience! It is normal for SOAR caseworkers to feel rather isolated and alone when completing applications. The SOAR Leadership Academy raised my awareness of the efforts taking place across the country and provided the necessary information, encouragement, and support needed to return to my own community ready to reach our SOAR goals. The SOAR Leadership Academy was by far the most comprehensive, stimulating, and positive training I have ever experienced.

I have already done two SOAR Fundamentals trainings for our community and we are in the process of forming our local and state steering committees. I have been contacted by local hospitals requesting more information, and we have big plans to increase the number of dedicated SOAR Specialists in our community. We would never be here without the training and encouragement received from the Leadership Academy.

Thank you, SAMHSA and thank you to the South Carolina SOAR Leadership Academy trainers, Kristin Lupfer (SOAR Project Director), Matt Canuteson (SOAR Liaison), and Dazara Ware (SOAR Liaison) for an amazing experience!

After hearing Suzie’s story, are you interested in becoming a SOAR local lead? Learn more about the process to become a local lead and the SOAR Leadership Academy in our 2013 webinar.