Nicole Johnson, LPC-S – Co-Chair of Committee, Clinical Director, HeartLine Inc.
Nicole Johnson LPC-S is the Clinical Director at HeartLine, Inc., which is based in Oklahoma. She serves as a licensed supervising clinician for various local and national crisis intervention and suicide prevention programs. In Oklahoma, she oversees crucial helplines such as the Youth Crisis Mobile Response, Reach Out Mental Health Line, the Oklahoma 988 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline Warmline, and she manages 988 Oklahoma overflow calls. Her team at HeartLine has grown to be included in one of three Disaster Distress Helpline Call Centers for the nation as well as answering DDH Text in both English and Spanish.
Nicole has clinical and operational experience at all levels of care for children, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. Her extensive experience in suicide prevention and community reintegration within the corrections population continues to be an asset to the organization.
Nicole is a subject-matter expert in crisis work, particularly with youth and special population communities. Her proficiency in implementing local, state, and national programs within the call center setting is backed by formal training as an ASIST and TalksavesLives trainer. Nicole’s knowledge and skills have been put to use in conducting numerous crisis, communication, cultural sensitivity, and suicide prevention trainings for various institutions, including state government, law enforcement, education, and mental health organizations.
Aaron Kubey – Communication Access Specialist/Certified Deaf Interpreter – FEMA
Aaron (he/him/his) was born Deaf and was raised by Deaf parents, including a mother who worked many years as a Deaf advocate where he learned the importance of Deaf advocacy. That inspired him to go into public service, and his passion is making sure the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community is getting communication access in emergency management.
Agustina Boehringer, DMSc, PA-C – Chief Medical Officer, Heart to Heart International
Dr. Boehringer (she/her/hers) has been working in disaster health space for over 7 years. With a clinical background in emergency medicine and doctoral education in global health and disaster medicine, she has seen firsthand the importance of mental health in survivors of crises as well as the limited number of resources available in this area. For these reasons and as a fervent supporter of SAMHSA and Vibrant Emotional Health, she is honored to participate in the DDH Steering Committee. Dr. Boehringer is originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has lived in the US for over 20 years, primarily in the greater Boston area but recently relocated to the Kansas City metro area.
Amy Nitza, Ph.D.
Dr. Amy Nitza is the Executive Director of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health at SUNY New Paltz, where she also directs the Advanced Certificate in Trauma and Disaster Mental Health. She is a psychologist who specializes in providing mental health training nationally and internationally. As a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Botswana, she trained mental health and school counselors in the use of group interventions in HIV/AIDS prevention. She also collaborated with UNICEF USA to develop and implement a program of mental health support for children and teachers impacted by the recent disasters in Puerto Rico. She directs numerous grant-funded projects including from the New York State Office of Mental Health, Office of Victim Services, and Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. Amy has provided training at the federal level to the Executive Office of the President, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Smithsonian Institution. She has provided direct service to survivors of numerous disasters including Hurricanes Sally, Dorian, Harvey, and Maria, the Creek Fire in California, and the earthquakes in Haiti and Puerto Rico. She is the author of numerous publications, including the book Disaster Mental Health Case Studies: Lessons Learned from Counseling in Chaos.
Amanda G. Somdal – Alabama Department of Mental Health, Office of Deaf Services, Director, LCSW, LICSW-S
Amanda G. Somdal (she/her) is the Director of the Office of Deaf Services, Alabama Department of Mental Health. Amanda has worked with the Deaf community for over 26 years in providing individual and family therapy, specializing in deaf batterers, deaf mental health, and sexual assault survivors. Amanda served on several boards, including the Advocacy Council for Abused Deaf Children, the National Human Trafficking and Disabilities Working Group, and the Association of Batterer’s Intervention Programs. Amanda graduated from California State University, Northridge, and Gallaudet University.
Organization Affiliation: Director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health Offices of Disaster Services
Courtney Castañeda-Cruz, ASW – Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center, Assistant Program Director (she/her/hers)
After being personally affected by suicide, Courtney began her work with the Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center six years ago. Courtney first started as a Shift Supervisor on the frontlines, then moved into management as a Program Coordinator, and now serves as the Assistant Program Director at the Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center. Courtney has been featured in various speaking engagements and media coverage regarding suicide prevention over the years. Courtney holds her Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University and is particularly passionate about serving marginalized communities, such as the Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities.
Organization Affiliation: Associate Director of Provident Behavioral Health
Rev. Dr. James J. Kirk (D.Min.) – Affiliation and Title: Associate for Disaster Response US for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA)
The Rev. Dr. James J. Kirk (he/him/his) is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in August of 2016 accepted the position of Associate for Disaster Response (U.S.) for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. This position is responsible for coordinating the denomination’s domestic response to the many disasters that impact our congregations, Presbyteries, and communities. The mission of PDA is to bring, “Out of Chaos, Hope”.
Prior to this position, Jim served congregations in Sparta, NJ, and Naples, FL. He graduated from Moravian College with a BA in 1977 and from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA with a D.Min. in 1981.
Jim is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP) through the International Association of Trauma Professionals and a member of the International Critical Stress Foundation (ICSF). Jim was a volunteer with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for over 20 years. In that role, Jim has responded to a variety of disasters including natural and public violence.
Jim is a past chair of the National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee and has been on the committee for twelve years. He currently serves as a board member for National VOAD.
Joshua Garcia – Stars of HOPE USA, Executive Director
Joshua Garcia (he/him/they), a seasoned leader in Disaster Response, emerged in this vital work following the 2016 Orlando Mass shooting, leveraging over a decade of experience in business operations. Recognized for his success with the Stars of HOPE program, Josh’s innovative approach integrates social support and arts-based crisis intervention, offering a beacon of hope in the wake of disasters. His strategic vision and unwavering commitment to community resilience have been instrumental in empowering survivors and communities worldwide.
Olivia Stein, MSW – DeafLEAD, Director of Videophone Crisis Line Services
Olivia Stein (they/them/theirs) is the Director of Videophone Crisis Line Services at DeafLEAD, Columbia, Missouri. They manage three videophone crisis lines: the Deaf Crisis Line (DCL), the Disaster Distress Helpline – Videophone (DDH VP), and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Videophone (988 VP). They are a lifelong Deaf individual who appreciates and values ongoing direct communication, collaboration, and connection for the diverse, inclusive Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) community. Their main goals are to be a continuous advocate in reducing systemic barriers, and ensuring resources are made accessible and provided for the D/HH, especially resources that focus on mental health, victim services, suicide, and disaster crisis care. Olivia has their master’s in social work from Gallaudet University. Olivia currently finds themselves settling along the Front Range of Colorado. They are the third generation of their family who is Deaf and communicates using American Sign Language. When they are not at work, you can often find them enjoying the outdoors, and spending quality time with their family.
Organization Affiliation: American Red Cross
Organization Affiliation: Director of Crisis Services and Operations at Response Crisis Center
Organization Affiliation: Chief Policy Officer of Deaf Equity