FREE Communications Materials Available to NATSAP Members

Next webinar: How to Write a Strategic Marketing Plan, June 19, 1-2pm (Eastern)

If your school or program is navigating a communications, PR or marketing challenge, NATSAP may be able to help. During the past six years, NATSAP’s PR consultant, Sheri Singer, Singer Communications, has developed several webinars, handouts, and other materials to help NATSAP members navigate various communication challenges.

One of the recorded webinars focuses on how to handle a crisis. The webinar defines a crisis, identifies the three stages of a crisis, and describes how to write a crisis communications plan.

The information discusses how to determine your audience, create your Rapid Response team, decide what you can (and cannot) say, and when you can say it. It provides guidance about the various distribution channels and points to the dangers of social media during a crisis. It also includes follow up activities to undertake after the immediate crisis has passed.

While every school or program needs to follow the advice of counsel as soon as a crisis breaks, this information provides a foundation for NATSAP members to prepare for a crisis and some guidance on what to do when a crisis breaks.

The next NATSAP webinar will focus on how to write a strategic marketing plan and will be held on June 19 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. (Eastern time).

In addition to these materials, NATSAP has the following information available:

  • NATSAP myths and fact sheet
  • NATSAP messages
  • How to tell your story (article)
  • How to create a basic PR plan (article)
  • Media training (webinar)
  • The role of social media in a crisis (webinar)
  • Ethical marketing (webinar)
  • Writing a strategic marketing plan (webinar available after June 19, 2019)

These materials including recordings of the webinars are available on NATSAP’s website in the members-only section. For more information, contact Shanita Smith, Director of Membership and PR, shanita@natsap.org.

CooperRiis names new President & CEO

Dr. Eric A. Levine to join mental health healing community in April

ASHEVILLE, N.C.CooperRiis, a residential mental health treatment community in western North Carolina, is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric A. Levine as its new President & CEO.

Levine is currently Executive Director of ClearView Communities, a 36-bed residential treatment program in Frederick, Maryland, for adults with serious and persistent mental health challenges. He replaces Michael Groat, Ph.D., who is departing for a new role as Chief Clinical Officer at Silver Hill Hospital, a private psychiatric hospital in New Canaan, Connecticut. Levine joins CooperRiis upon Groat’s departure April 15, 2019.

“With more than 30 years working in education and mental health, Eric brings vast experience helping individuals affected by the challenges of mental illness and disabilities move toward healthy and fulfilling lives,” said Donald R. Cooper, CooperRiis Board Chair & Co-Founder. “We are fortunate to have him joining our healing community and look forward to the positive impact he’ll have on our residents, their families, and our staff.”

Levine began his career as a special education teacher, later overseeing schools for children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disabilities. In 2005, he founded Eric A. Levine and Associates, an educational consulting firm that helps children and their families in the Washington-Baltimore metro areas find appropriate services.

Levine earned a doctorate in Education Leadership (Ed.D.), an Ed.S. in Career Transition and Assessment, a master’s in Special Education from George Washington University, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Association for Community Integration and is a member of the Frederick County, Maryland, Board of Education Strategic Special Education Work Group.

“I’m a believer in programs that maintain possibility and hope as core values. CooperRiis is a place where people come to heal and learn new skills to help them better manage the challenges they’re experiencing so they can return to their lives,” said Levine. “I’m excited to be collaborating with the highly skilled and motivated staff of professionals at CooperRiis as we work toward improving the lives of individuals impeded by mental health challenges.”

About CooperRiis Healing Community

Founded by Donald R. Cooper and Lisbeth Riis Cooper, CooperRiis is a residential healing community in western North Carolina, with a rural campus on a 94-acre farm and an urban campus in the heart of Asheville. Since 2003, CooperRiis has been helping adults living with mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, major depression and anxiety, achieve their highest levels of functioning and fulfillment. A personalized recovery approach combines trusted clinical therapies, community work & service, education and integrative wellness practices.

Visit http://www.cooperriis.org or call 828.894.7140 for more about CooperRiis Healing Community and its approach to mental health treatment.