Awards & Recognition
Our research-driven strategies and validated outcomes have earned our team these awards:
- NREPP Certification- National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices, 2016
- NASADAD Award-National Exemplary Award for Innovative Programs, Practices and Policies, 2014
- Service to Science Award for Building Evaluation Capacity for Evidence-Based Interventions, from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2013
- Service to Science Award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2011
- Governor’s Traffic Safety Award for Long-term Achievement 2011
Our Team
With collective experience that spans a century, our team’s dedication to the health, safety and empowerment of youth is unparalleled. We stand firmly in our belief that when you capture the passion of youth, give them focus, support and agency, you change lives. SLS has been doing just this since 1982 and our commitment has never waivered.
Meet Our People
Staff
Dawn Flood, LMSW-Macro CPC-R
Executive Director
Dawn joined the SLS team in 2004 and has been involved in peer education and youth-led prevention programming since 1998. After 18 years with SLS and serving as Prevention Specialist and Program Director, Dawn accepted the Executive Director position at SLS in 2022. Prior to SLS, Dawn served as the Substance Abuse Educator at Saginaw Valley State University. Dawn works directly with chapter advisors and students throughout Michigan. She combines her school social work background with a cognitive behavioral approach and applies it to prevention. Dawn incorporates changing students’ thoughts (cognitive), to change their actions (behavior) and build skills.
Pamela Voss-Page, M. Ed.
Research Director
Pamela Voss-Page has served SLS since 1984 and was a founding member of the SLS Board of Directors. Over the years, Pam held various roles in the organization and became the Executive Director in 1994 and currently serves as the Research Director. As a result of Pam's dedication, Michigan led the nation in effective youth-led health and safety programming. Pam's ongoing commitment to prevention research and evidence-based practice continues with annual evaluation and a validation study that led to our national recognition and replication.
Marcia Partin
Prevention Specialist
Marcia joined the SLS team in 2021. She previously was a Prevention Manager developing in-school and afterschool prevention programming and summer camps in Detroit. Marcia’s heart is to help students grow in all areas of thinking to help them make life changes that in turn change the world! She uses her experience as a youth minster to understand youth struggles and to see the potential in every youth to do great things. Marcia also believes that all great learning involves some fun along the way.
Morgan Kauffman
Program/Communication Intern
Morgan joined the SLS team in 2022. She is currently a social work student at Oakland University. She has a background in working in the schools as a previous special need’s paraprofessional. She has worked as an assistant manager for an adult foster care group home and has been teaching yoga and mindfulness for four years. She is passionate about helping others be the best versions of themselves, especially the future generation. One of her favorite quotes is, “there is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life”
Board of Directors
Brad Simmons, President (since 1994)
Director, Government & Stakeholder Relations Ford Motor Company
Ward Bartlett, Vice President (since 1997)
Teacher & Advisor, Warren Mott High School
Diane Bostic Robinson, LMSW, Strategic Planning Chair (Since 1997)
Diane Bostic-Robinson & Associates, LLC
Zane Sami Hatahet, Media Spokesperson (since 2016)
Legal Counsel, Magna Electronics
Toni Lauretano, Fund Development Chair (Since 2019)
Development Generalist, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
Michael Talamonti, Networking
(Since 2021)
Ford Motor Company
Griselda Mucollari, Adwords Manager
Campbell-Ewald and Iprospect
Student Interns
Benji
Mt. Vernon Nazarene University
Benjamin first started his journey with SLS when he was a sophomore at Waterford Mott High School and has served as an intern over the last 4 years. Benji has made great contributions to the organization and is a valued member of our team. In addition to creating a series of mini-handbooks, Benji wrote and received several grants, served on our Student Advisory Board, managed social media, and led student workshops. We are proud of Benji’s integrity and persistence and how he is using the skills he’s acquired to pursue a career in children’s ministry.
Jillian
Wayne State University
Jillian first became involved with SLS when she was a fifth-grade participant in our Peer Resistance Program. Since then, she has served in many different roles in the organization both as a volunteer and as an intern. Jillian has written newsletter articles, created videos and graphic designs, and served as the photographer and videographer for our 2018 Conference. Jillian is a natural leader which is evident as she teaches Botvin Life Skills to younger students. We are inspired by her energy and initiative which will certainly bring her success in whatever challenges she takes on!
Meet Our Student Advisory Board
Established in 1986, we train each passionate group of emerging leaders to lead and teach their peers and younger students. They work with our team and member schools to promote youth involvement, networking and stakeholder partnerships. The Student Advisory Board (SAB) develops and leads conferences, assemblies and workshops. These students are dedicated to creating healthy, safe and inclusive schools and communities across Michigan and we are proud to help them do this important work!
Mariam
Senior, Clarenceville HS
Get to know Mariam. By: Shanae.
Before the first SAB meeting, I had never met Mariam. When I did meet her for the first time, she was extremely friendly. When I asked her if she could change one thing in the world what it would be, it took a while for her to answer. But eventually, after a few minutes of deep thinking, she said the cost of college. And I agree with her. Lastly, when I asked her what she does to relax, she said she goes to the park to use the swings while listening to music to clear her head.
Shanae
Senior, Taylor HS
Get to know Shanae. By: Mariam.
Here are a few little fun things to get to know Shanae. Shanae is an amazing young lady who enjoys anime. Her fav show of all time is ‘Attack on Titans’ due to the storytelling done by Hajime Isayama. “It just amazes me how creative & talented he is!” she says. The last movie she watched in the theater was a marvel movie, ‘Dr. Strange. As you can tell Shanae is a pretty cool person, I can’t wait to conquer the last year on the S.A.B!
It makes us proud that former Student Advisory Board (SAB) members and other young adults who have benefited from SLS programs continue to support us after they graduate. They return because they want to pass on the strength, skills, and knowledge that they acquired as members of SLS programs. As part of our team, our alumni volunteers help with financial contributions, event planning, technology support, student and chapter mentoring, and fundraising. We are inspired by and incredibly grateful for their ongoing involvement!
Alumni Volunteers
Sponsors & Partners
