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, CPC-R

Executive Director/CEO
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 Specialists
Morgan has been with SLS since 2022 now serving as a Program and Communications Specialist. She recently graduated from Oakland University with a degree in Social Work and will pursue her Master's degree in 2024. During her time as an intern, Morgan created a Mental Health and Vape Education Program. One of her guiding principles is, “There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life.” Her favorite part of the job is witnessing students be leaders, and making an impact in their community. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, yoga, spending time with her family and exploring the outdoors.

Board of Directors

Ward Bartlett, President (since 1997)

Teacher & Advisor, Warren Mott High School

Zane Sami Hatahet, Media Spokesperson (since 2016)

Assistant General Counsel, Real Truck

Toni Lauretano, Vice President

Fund Development Chair (Since 2019)

Development Generalist, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital

Dianne Bostic Robinson, LMSW, Strategic Planning Chair (Since 1997)

Dianne Bostic Robinson & Associates, LLC

Michael Talamonti, Networking

(Since 2021)

OneAmerica

Griselda Mucollari, Adwords Manager

Tinuiti

SLS Pastor

Pastor 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 for a career in children’s ministry.

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!

Congratulations to 39th SLS SAB

Marvin

Marion Jr/Sr High School-Sophomore

Myah

Brighton High School Sophomore

2024-2025

A'niyah

Clarenceville High School Junior

Taylor

Tawas Area High School Senior

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

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