OUR TEAM
Allison became the Executive Director of HVCASA in June 2002. She and her staff coordinate prevention activities throughout 43 towns in Western Connecticut. Allison is an accomplished trainer and facilitator, and she has presented nationally at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America Leadership Forum in Washington, DC. In addition to working at the grassroots level with 25 Local Prevention Councils, Allison serves on a variety of state boards and committees, including the CT Prevention Network, the CT Alcohol and Drug Policy Council-Prevention Sub-Committee, the Connecticut Health Improvement Coalition, CT SPF-SIG Advisory Board, the Statewide Community Readiness Committee, and the Western CT State University Alcohol Task Force. She has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Danbury since 2006, where she currently sits on the Board of Directors and is a Past President. Allison has loved living in Connecticut since her college days at Trinity in Hartford. She currently resides in New Preston. She has four grown children and 4 grandchildren.
Abigail Wood Maldonado,
Behavioral Health Director
AMaldonado@wctcoalition.org | Phone: 203-743-7741
Kathy has been with WCTC since December of 2015. As a graduate of CADCA’s National Coalition Academy, she works collaboratively with the local prevention councils utilizing the Strategic Prevention Framework and evidence-based strategies; the end goal being to reduce the harmful effects of substance misuse and problem gambling, to prevent suicide, and to promote mental health and wellness. Kathy has a passion for this work because she has personally witnessed the pain and loss associated with substance misuse and suicide in her family.
Kathy became a Certified Prevention Specialist in November of 2020. She is certified as an instructor/trainer of the suicide prevention program QPR- Question, Persuade, Refer, Overdose Prevention Education and Naloxone Administration, ASBIRT- Adolescent Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment, Positive Discipline for Parents, and the 40 Developmental Assets Framework. She completed courses in Mental Health First Aid and Dialogue Education. She attends the annual CADCA National Leadership Forum in Washington DC, and several other conferences, to stay current with prevention and wellness best practices. In 2019, she attended the Montana Summer Institute.
Kathy has a BA in Communications Sciences from the University of Connecticut. Prior to working at WCTC, she spent 14 years in the fashion industry at Nine West Group, Inc. She currently resides in New Fairfield with her husband Chip and has 2 grown sons, Kevin and Liam.
Abby joined WCTC in November of 2019. She enjoys getting familiar with the 43 towns covered by WCTC and supporting their prevention efforts using the Strategic Prevention Framework and other evidence based strategies. Abby conducts Narcan trainings and is a certified trainer of the suicide prevention gatekeeper training QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer). She is certified in both youth and adult Mental Health First Aid, Adolescent SBIRT and safeTalk. Abby is particularly passionate about mental health promotion and suicide prevention. She worked closely on the development of Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to Mental Health Elementary Curriculum and has been a member of the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board since 2017. Abby is always looking for opportunities to learn more including the CADCA National Leadership Forum in Washington DC. Abby received a BA in Human Development and Family Sciences and Sociology from the University of Connecticut. She earned her Masters of Social Work with a concentration in Community Organization from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work in May of 2018.
Emma Johnson Hollis is a Certified Prevention Specialist that has served in Northwestern CT as the co-chair of Northwest Corner Prevention Network. She has utilized the Strategic Prevention Framework to inform her collaborative work with the local prevention counsels. She is a certified trainer of the suicide prevention gatekeeper program QPR (Question, Persuade, & Refer), a certified Botvin LifeSkills facilitator, and a certified Girls Circle facilitator. Emma utilizes evidence-based strategies to develop local policy to promote mental health and substance use prevention within Litchfield County. She has served on local Juvenile Review Boards and promotes restorative justice practices for a healthy and vibrant community. Emma has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Development with a focus in the Neurobiology of Substance Use Disorders. She is a graduate of the 2020 cohort from Leadership Northwest, Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. Emma is an avid hiker and yogi. She loves the woodland life in Roxbury with her husband and two children.
Kayla Champagne was previously the Prevention Corps member that served with WCTC and has since taken the position of Office Manager. She is currently studying at Sacred Heart University to get her MPH with the hopes of becoming an Epidemiologist in the future.
Andre joined WCTC in June 2023. He comes from a background of experience doing clinical work in behavioral health. This ranges from working as a mental health worker for people with severe depression and/or substance abuse disorders, working as a behavioral therapist helping children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and graduating from the University of Connecticut with a BA in Psychological Sciences. Andre is a big advocate for emotional awareness in each individual’s life and that everyone needs to work together to understand that we are all part of a bigger picture. He is excited to be a part of WCTC as the Prevention Coordinator and assisting those who struggle with gambling, behavioral health disorders, and other problematic behaviors/thoughts that may impede one's daily life. He is also an aspiring body builder.