The workgroup includes a core membership consisting of representatives from DAABHS, MidSOUTH the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (SEOW Staff), Regional Prevention Providers, and Regional Lead Agencies. DAABHS and MidSOUTH hold primary decision-making authority for SEOW activities. Operational partners are drawn from various state and contracting agencies, including relevant data experts, state and community leadership, and constituencies affected directly or indirectly by substance use and/or behavioral health issues.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Alison Oliveto, Ph.D.,is Professor and Director of the Center for Addiction Research in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Oliveto is a behavioral pharmacologist by training. For over 3 decades, she has been focused on researching potential medications and evidence-based behavioral interventions to improve treatments for opioid, cocaine and/or methamphetamine use disorders. Having become increasingly frustrated with the life-long struggle patients with drug use disorders face, Dr. Oliveto shifted some of her efforts toward studying effective prevention strategies. Dr. Oliveto has been working on the development of an effective, easily-accessed gamified adolescent prescription drug misuse prevention intervention with UAMS colleagues and Little Rock Games. She also is collaborating with colleagues on implementation of e-cigarette use prevention programming in Arkansas. Since 2019, Dr. Oliveto has been leading the UAMS team partnering with UALR MidSOUTH and DHS OSAM to expand the capacity of the Arkansas Statewide Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup, which helps guide effective prevention efforts through monitoring substance use and health-related outcomes in the state.
Mary Bollinger, Ph.D., is a demographer with the Center for Health Services Research at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences as well as an investigator in the Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (CeMHOR) at the Central Arkansas VA Healthcare System. Dr. Bollinger has conducted research on the mortality experiences of US veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, pain and mental health in minority populations, and acute and chronic disease in Veterans. Dr. Bollinger led the workgroup conducting geospatial analyses of rural Veteran healthcare needs, implementation of the VA MISSION Act to extend care to Veterans using community providers, and identification of community contextual factors related to Veteran suicidal behaviors. Her research interests include access to mental health care, rural health, suicide and geospatial methodologies. Dr. Bollinger is part of the UAMS team partnering with UALR MidSOUTH and DHS OSAM to expand the capacity of the Arkansas Statewide Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup, which helps guide effective prevention efforts through monitoring substance use and health-related outcomes in the state.
Ronald G. Thompson, Ph.D., LCSW, is an Associate Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). He holds a doctorate in Social Work and is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW). Dr. Thompson conducts clinical intervention and prevention research in the intersecting areas of substance abuse, psychiatric disorders, and suicide and has published 50 peer-reviewed articles on his work. His current research focuses on the development, implementation, and evaluation of brief and technology-enhanced substance use and mental health interventions. Dr. Thompson currently serves as: (1) Co-Principal Investigator on a study, funded by the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI) National Center for Opioid & Addiction Research (NCOAR), to develop and evaluate the acceptability of a technology-enhanced adolescent non-medical prescription drug use (NPDU) prevention program, comprised of an educational video game for 8th grade students and a video-based educational program for their caregivers (GUARD: Generating Understanding and Awareness for Responsible Drug Use); (2) Co-Investigator on a NIDA-funded study (R01DA048022) to develop and evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of OptiMAT, a smartphone application to reduce relapse among individuals receiving outpatient medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorders; and (3) Co-Investigator on the Arkansas State Opioid Response (SOR4; SAMHSA) to establish and expand medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) services to uninsured and underinsured patients across the state. Dr. Thompson is part of the UAMS team partnering with UALR MidSOUTH and DHS OSAM to expand the capacity of the Arkansas Statewide Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup, which helps guide effective prevention efforts through monitoring substance use and health-related outcomes in the state.
Jeff Thostenson, M.S., is a Biostatistician in the Department of Biostatistics of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. In over 20 years at this position, he has applied statistical analysis methods to a wide range of research areas such as Endocrinology, Neurology, Orthopedics, as well as several research projects in substance use. His first foray into substance use research centered on applying missing data methods to Tobacco Quitline data while working with Mayo Clinic and earning his Master of Science degree at Iowa State University. He is part of the UAMS team partnering with UALR MidSOUTH and DHS OSAM to expand the capacity of the Arkansas Statewide Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup, which helps guide effective prevention efforts through monitoring substance use and health-related outcomes in the state.
University of Arkansas at Little Rock MidSOUTH School of Social Work
Darla Kelsay is a Certified Prevention Consultant at UA Little Rock/MidSOUTH Center for Prevention and Training. She is one of the Substance Use Prevention Grant Managers overseeing the state’s Regional Prevention Provider system, funded through SAMSHA’s Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant (SUBG). Before she came to MidSOUTH in late 2016, Darla worked as a Regional Prevention Provider for six years, educating and organizing communities in five counties to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth and adults. She serves on the boards of the Prevention Professionals of Arkansas (PPA) and Arkansas None for Nine, an affiliate of FASD United which raises awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Darla earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from Ball State University and worked in publishing and communications for much of her career.
Doris Resimont With a heart for community advocacy, Doris Resimont has spent the past decade working across the social work field, with a deep focus on supporting at-risk children and families. A UCA Psychology graduate, Doris currently serves as a Substance Misuse Prevention Coordinator at UALR MidSOUTH, where she uses her hands on experience to coordinate and expand regional prevention efforts.
Charmaine Musgraves serves as a Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s MidSOUTH, bringing more than 13 years of experience in crisis intervention, behavioral health, case management, and prevention education. Charmaine holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Nutrition from Lamar University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southern Arkansas University. Her multidisciplinary background fuels her passion for empowering individuals, supporting prevention professionals, and fostering healthier, more resilient communities. Throughout her career, Charmaine has demonstrated a strong commitment to advocacy, community engagement, and improving individual and community well-being. Her diverse professional background includes experience in mental health services, suicide prevention, violence prevention education, criminal justice, and community-based support. In her current role, she supports statewide substance abuse prevention initiatives through program coordination, collaborative partnerships, and efforts to strengthen prevention services across Arkansas.
Jessica L. Simpson serves as a Manager at MidSOUTH Prevention at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, bringing over seven years of experience in substance misuse prevention. In her role, she supports statewide substance misuse prevention efforts through program leadership, oversight, workforce development, training, and technical assistance. Her work focuses on strengthening prevention infrastructure, supporting regional prevention providers, and promoting effective, evidence-informed prevention strategies across Arkansas. Prior to joining MidSOUTH, Jessica worked in reentry services, assisting justice-involved individuals with successfully transitioning back into their communities. Her work focused on connecting individuals with employment opportunities, securing stable housing, developing essential life skills, and overcoming barriers to successful community reintegration. Jessica is currently pursuing a PhD in Forensic Psychology, specializing in Sex Offender Behavior. Her professional experience and academic pursuits reflect her commitment to understanding human behavior, reducing barriers to opportunity, and strengthening individuals and communities through research, education, and prevention. As a core member of the Statewide Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup, Jessica contributes her expertise in prevention systems, community collaboration, and program implementation to support data-driven decision-making and the development of effective prevention strategies.
Department of Humans Services Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services
Kira R. Kennedy, LCSW, LADAC, MAC is the Assistant Director of the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services for the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health within the Arkansas Department of Human Services. She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker, a Licensed Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor in Arkansas, and a Master Addiction Counselor through NAADAC – the Association for Addiction Professionals. Kira serves as Arkansas’s Single State Agency director. She is an active member of the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Agency Directors, NASADAD, and the International Society of Substance Use Professionals. With more than 30 years of direct experience in substance use and mental health services, she has led clinical programs, provided crisis intervention, and facilitated group and individual therapy. In her current role, she oversees grant funding, ensures program compliance, and works to align substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery services with the needs and priorities of the state while advancing evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for Arkansans.
Joycelyn Pettus received a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is currently employed by the Arkansas Department of Human Services in Little Rock as a Program Coordinator for Substance Abuse Prevention. An advocate for community involvement, she plays an integral part in statewide prevention services through the Regional Prevention Representatives. Her professional interests focus on implementing substance abuse prevention services for all ages, gender, ethnic groups, as well as many other demographics. Trained as a Trainer in several evidence-based curriculums, Joycelyn is studying to become a Certified Prevention Specialist. When she’s not at work, Joycelyn enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, and watching Matlock or Sanford and Son.
India Hayes received a B.A. In Psychology from Hendrix College in May of 2026 and is currently studying to receive her Master of Public Health with a concentration on Health Policy and Health Management from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. India is currently employed by the Arkansas Department of Human Services in the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health as the Collegiate Substance Abuse Prevention Program Coordinator. India plays a pivotal role in statewide prevention resources and services for Arkansas colleges and Universities. India’s goal is to make sure every young person receives great quality education and resources on substances. In India’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and her three yorkies.
Priya Kakkar is a health care data analyst with over 20 years of experience. She holds a master’s degree in Gerontology and another in Health Services Administration. She works for the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
Janean Barnett serves as the State Opioid Treatment Authority (SOTA) and State Drug and Alcohol Safety Education Program (DASEP) Manager within the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health at the Arkansas Department of Human Services. She brings over 15 years of state service, with extensive experience in substance use disorder treatment, recovery services, and program administration. Janean is passionate about improving access to quality care, strengthening partnerships, and supporting individuals on their path to recovery across Arkansas. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, traveling to new places, and making lasting memories with her family.