Meet Our Friendly Team

Larry Calkins, CPP-G

Council Director

Larry has worked as a health educator from 1988 to 1996, a Program Director from 1996-2006, and the Council Director since 2006. Larry enjoys his job thoroughly, enjoys working with people, and being a part of the solution. He enjoys being with his wife and children when he is not working. He also enjoys mowing the lawn.

Chelsea Dodd, CPP-G

Program Director

Chelsea is the Program Director for the agency. Chelsea has been with the agency since 2013. Chelsea has her master’s in Public Health and Human Performance and is a Credentialed Prevention Professional. When Chelsea isn’t working in the community, she is
with her dogs, Piper and Pua, or sketching new designs.

Becca Ames

Administrative Assistant

Becca is the Administrative Assistant at the Council. She has a bachelor’s degree in Education and a master’s degree in Public Health. When not at work, Becca enjoys doing activities with her husband and children.

Samantha Mace

Finance Manager

Samantha is the agency’s Finance Manager. Samantha oversees all the agency’s finances and helps ensure the agency is in good financial health. Samantha has her bachelor’s in Business Administration. When Samantha is not working, she enjoys playing sports, traveling, and being by the water.

Cassie Arno

Program Assistant

Cassie is the Program Assistant at the council where she assists the Finance Manager. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Potsdam. Cassie enjoys paddle boarding and spending time with friends in her free time.

Chelsea Lebeau

Prevention Coordinator

Chelsea is a Parent Educator that works with individuals across St. Lawrence County delivering evidence-based parenting education programs. Chelsea also focuses on employee assistance counseling. Chelsea has a bachelor’s in Public Health and Human Performance from SUNY Potsdam. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys relaxing with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.

Britny Harmer

Health Educator

Britny is a Health Educator at the Council. Britny studies Applied Psychology at SUNY Canton. In her free time, Britny enjoys relaxing with her husband and sons and singing and recording songs. 

Jacob Goyco

Health Educator

Jake is a Health Educator at Seaway Valley Prevention Council. Jake has a bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology through SUNY Canton. In his free time, Jake enjoys being outside with his dogs going on hikes/walks, reading, or spending time with friends and family.

Marissa Johnston

Health Educator

Marissa is a Health Educator at the Seaway Valley Prevention Council. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Potsdam. Marissa enjoys being outside or spending time with her family and her dog, Bo, in her free time.

Morgan Arquette

Health Educator

Morgan is a Health Educator for the Seaway Valley Prevention Council. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health from SUNY Potsdam. Outside of work, Morgan enjoys taking road trips and spending her time with her family and friends.  

Jaelin Calkins

Clubhouse Coordinator

Jaelin is a Health Educator at the Horizons Youth Clubhouse. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business, Health, and Fitness Promotion. Jaelin enjoys being able to work with the youth and making the future a better place. When she is not a work, she enjoys hanging out with her two labs and cat. She also enjoys being able to spend valuable time with her family.

Taylor Druesedow

Health Educator

Taylor is a Health Educator at the council working Primarily with the Extended School Day Program, Teen Intervene, and providing community education. Taylor has a bachelor’s degree in Public Health, and would like to pursue her master’s degree. When she is not working, she enjoys reading and exploring the outdoors with her Australian Shepherd Opal.

Brittany Streeter

Health Educator

Brittany is a Health Educator at the Horizons Youth Clubhouse in Massena. Brittany studies Applied Psychology and Sociology at SUNY Canton. Brittany considers herself to be adventurous and is always willing to try something new. When Brittany isn’t at work, she can be found reading, traveling, or watching one of her favorite sports teams. Brittany has two cats and a black lab puppy who are always waiting for her at home.

Samantha Robitaille

Health Educator

Samantha is a Health Educator at the Horizons Youth Clubhouse. Samantha has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. In her free time, Samantha enjoys being outside in nature, listening to music, painting, and working on her car.

Kenzie Laughlin 2023

Kenzie Laughlin

Peer Educator

Kenzie is the Peer Educator for the agency working both prevention and recovery. Kenzie studies Human Services through Southern New Hampshire University. When Kenzie isn’t at work, she can be found relaxing at home with her husband and rescued animals or assisting with her school’s wrestling team.

Jason Novak

DFC Coalition Coordinator

Jason is the Massena Drug-Free Coalition Coordinator. Jason works in Massena with the Coalition to address substance misuse in the community to help create a drug-free and violence-free environment in which the youth can thrive.  He has a bachelor’s degree in Community Health from SUNY Potsdam. In his free time, Jason enjoys snowboarding, hiking with his two dogs, and taking advantage of the sunny weather out on the boat.

 

Shashanna Ross

Shashanna Ross

Youth Development Coordinator

Shashanna has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and hopes to purse her master’s in social work. When not at work Shashanna enjoys hiking, lifting weights, and watching Brian Del Palma films

Harley Snyder

UP! Coalition Coordinator

Harley is the UP! Coalition Coordinator. Harley works in Lewis County with the coalition and the Partnership for Success grant. Harley received her master’s degree from SUNY Potsdam. Harley was born and raised in Lewis County and is excited about working in her community and promoting a space where others can thrive. In her free time, Harley enjoys spending time with her family, adventuring with her son and husband, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her dogs.  

Sarah Barr

Community Engagement Coordinator

Sarah is a Health Educator at the Seaway Valley Prevention Council. Sarah implements our evidence-based parenting program, Triple P. When Sarah isn’t working at Seaway, she can be found at the dance studio with her students or relaxing with a good book accompanied by her dogs Eider, Archie, and Peanut.

 

Rico Dobbs

Assistant Program Coordinator

Rico is the Assistant Program Coordinator for our Advancing Tobacco Free Communities program. Rico graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Sports Management. When he’s not working with the prevention council, Rico can be found coaching football at all levels.”

Travis Jordan

Reality Check Coordinator

Travis is a Reality Check Coordinator for the Advancing Tobacco Free Communities Grant.  He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Community Health from SUNY Potsdam. When he’s not working with the Prevention Council, Travis can be found on the soccer field either coaching his modified boys’ soccer team or competing himself, in games around the north country.

Samantha Emerson

Peer Engagement Specialist

Samantha is the Peer Engagement Specialist at Seaway Valley Prevention Council covering St. Lawrence, Jefferson, and Lewis Counties. She has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Investigation and a minor in Criminology. Samantha enjoys traveling, spending time with family and her dogs, Bailey and Maggie, in her free time.

 

Sidney Johnson

Resource Center Coordinator

Sidney is the Resource Center Coordinator at Seaway Valley Prevention Council. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from West Virginia University. Sidney enjoys spending time on the St. Lawrence River, traveling, and spending time with friends and family outside of work.

Alex Mitchell

Family Support Navigator

As the Family Support Navigator, Alex works with family members/loved ones impacted by an individual’s alcohol or substance use. She covers St. Lawrence, Jefferson, and Lewis counties. When Alex is not working, she is watching Harry Potter or spending time with her family.

Vanessa Falzon

Program Manager

Vanessa is the Program Manager of The Valley Recovery Center working to advance prevention and recovery. Vanessa has a master’s degree in Applied Ethics from Utrecht University in The Netherlands. Vanessa is impacted by loved ones’ substance use and is active in her own recovery. Vanessa believes that action shapes quality of life, and she enjoys supporting others in letting go of old ideas and finding their way into a life of their dreams. Vanessa is inspired by the outdoors, babies and animals, and loves to practice meditation, yoga and mindfulness.

Sharon Morehouse

Program Coordinator

Sharon is the Programming Coordinator for The Valley Recovery Center. Sharon works with members of the center to develop groups and programming. Sharon is also a Recovery Coach for the center. Sharon has several years of experience working with individuals with substance use disorders. In her free time, Sharon enjoys spending time with her family, camping, and relaxing on the river.

Jade Vernsey

Recovery Coach

Jade is a Recovery Coach with The Valley Recovery Center. Jade has an associate’s degree in Information Technology and is currently in the process of starting classes to get her CASAC-T. Jade is currently in recovery and uses her own personal experiences with addiction to help others live and enjoy life in recovery as well. In her spare time, Jade likes to spend time with her family, friends, and her dogs Aria and Bella She also enjoys playing sports and being outside in the sunshine.

Aaron Cote

Recovery Coach

Aaron serves as a Recovery Coach in collaboration with The Valley Recovery Center and St. Lawrence County Addiction Services. Aaron is a person in recovery and understands there is more than one path to recovery. Aaron wants to use his lived experience of struggling with addiction for 12 years to help others understand that addiction does not discriminate. In his role, Aaron aims to use compassion and understanding to steer people towards recovery. In his free time, Aaron enjoys spending time with his daughters or hunting.

Jessica Martin

Recovery Coach

Jessii is a Recovery Coach at the Canton Methadone Clinic and is a certified Family Peer Advocate. Jessii has a background in working with individuals with Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders. Being both in recovery herself and being impacted by loved ones’ substance use, Jessii has been extremely passionate about giving hope to others. Jessii’s goal is to minimize the stigma surrounding Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders as much as possible. When Jessii is not working, she can be found reading, riding her motorcycle, playing video games, or spending time with her daughter, husband, and pet fish, Tinkerbell.

Desirae Malone

Transportation Specialist

Desirae is a Harm Reduction and Transportation Specialist for Seaway Valley Prevention Council, working at St. Lawrence County Addiction Services in Canton. Desirae has an associate’s degree in Applied Science, majoring in Human Services. Desirae enjoys working with others and strives to help individuals reach their goals. Desirae enjoys going for hikes, kayaking, and spending time with family and friends in her spare time! 

Jaden Morrow

Member Coordinator

Jaden is the Member Coordinator at The Valley Recovery Center. Jaden enjoys working with others, offering support and is passionate about helping others reach their goals. She has personal experience involving loved ones who have been affected by substance abuse disorder. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her dogs Hendrix & Cash, spending time with family and friends, and listening to music.

Andrew Besaw

Recovery Coach

Andrew is a Recovery Coach with The Valley Recovery Cetner. Andrew identifies as being a person in recovery and uses his life experiences to help others overcome their issues with substance use and mental health. In his spare time, Andrew likes to listen to music, watch movies, and spend time with friends and family.

Scylar McGuire-LaRock

Recovery Coach

Scylar is a Recovery Coach at The Valley Recovery Center. Scylar has personal and familial experience with addiction. Scylar uses his experience to try to help and inspire others. In his spare time, Scylar likes to spend time with friends and family, being outside, and going on adventures.

Want To Join Our Team?

Interested in Volunteering or Interning?