Ohio IECMH Master Trainers
Rachael Theis, B.S., ECMH-C, OIMHP-II, Children’s Resource Center
Rachael is a credentialed Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant and Master Trainer with Children’s Resource Center in Bowling Green, OH. She moved into the mental health field as a consultant in 2008 and has since been assisting teachers in the Northwest Region of the state by providing professional training in Early Childhood Social and Emotional Development. RachaelT@crcwoodcounty.org
Carly Kuntz, Children’s Resource Center (Transitioning into role)
Carly is an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant and Master Trainer from the Children’s Resource Center located in Bowling Green, Ohio. She received a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Cincinnati in 2011. Carly is currently working towards a master’s degree in psychology of leadership from Penn State University to extend her knowledge of best practices for more meaningful support. She began her career as a first and second grade teacher in the greater-Cincinnati area before relocating to Findlay, Ohio, where she also taught and joined her husband Chris, a cattle rancher who raises beef for a commercial grocery chain. She and her husband have three children, ages 6, 3, and 1, who consider themselves expert ranch hands that love helping on the farm! Throughout her eight years as an educator, Carly was often utilized as a mentor in behavioral management. In her teaching experience, she recognized a dire need for increased support within early childhood mental health, transcending across various early learning environments. This developed Carly’s passion to raise awareness and empower all adults who provide influence in the lives of children through effective prevention and intervention initiatives that includes a professional development platform. Carly enjoys making connections in her roles as a consultant and trainer. She is committed to serving others effectively through her prioritization of shared perspectives, knowledge, and experiences that collectively lead to valuable learning opportunities for all! carlyk@crcwoodcounty.org
Katy Carpenter, MSW, LISW-S, ECMH-C, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Katy is currently a regional master trainer and an Early Childhood Mental Health consultant for Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH. Katy received her Bachelor of Social Work from Indiana University and her Master of Science in Social Work from University of Louisville. Katy began working in the field in 2016 in a therapeutic day treatment program for children ages 3-5 with severe trauma and behavioral needs. Katy then provided outpatient therapy for children and families for 2 years before becoming an Early Childhood Mental Health consultant in 2019. Katy is regional master trainer under the Whole Child Matters Grant and continues to provide consultation and prevention services in the Columbus area. Katy currently holds her ECMH credential and is an independently licensed social worker. Katlin.Carpenter@nationwidechildrens.org
Colleen Wallace, M.S., ECMH-C, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Colleen is employed by Nationwide Children’s hospital, Columbus as a regional Master Trainer and IECMH Consultant, serving 17 counties in the Central Ohio area through the Whole Child Matters Grant. She has 20+ years of experience, providing early childhood education and community prevention services in early childhood mental health. Colleen is particularly interested in the topics of relationship and connection but provides training on a variety of other topics. Colleen currently holds the Ohio Infant Mental Health Practitioner Level III (OIMHP-III) credential in the state of Ohio. Colleen.Wallace@nationwidechildrens.org
Ava T. Lucky, MSW, LSW, ECMH-C, OIMHP-III, Positive Education Program
Ava has nearly 30 years’ experience supporting children, families and caregivers in early care and education. Throughout her employment, Ava has worked as a teacher, supervisor, licensed center administrator and has provided professional development training to licensed center-based and family childcare professionals. For the past 8 years, Ava has supported children and caregivers to foster targeted social & emotional developmental needs in homes, early learning environments and throughout communities in Northeast Ohio. “It is my privilege to serve child serving professionals across Ohio as Master Trainer.” Ava holds social work degrees from Ursuline College, Cleveland State University, and a Graduate Certificate in Early Intervention from Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies. Ava is employed as Trainer/Consultant at Positive Education Program in Cleveland, Ohio. ALucky@pepcleve.org
James (Jim) Flynn, MSSA, LISW-S, Positive Education Program James Flynn has been working in the field of mental health for 32 years and in the past 21 years his practice has been almost exclusively in the field of Early Childhood Mental Health. He has held the positions of mental health therapist, medical social worker, clinical supervisor, classroom consultant and parent resource consultant. He is currently a master trainer for the State of Ohio under the Whole Child Matters Grant and the Director of Early Childhood Plus for the Positive Education Program in Cleveland. James has a master’s degree in social service administration from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. James is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with a supervisory designation, and he has certifications in Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Infant Mental Health through the State of Ohio. He recently completed his phase two level certification in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics. jflynn@pepcleve.org
Monique Sangialosi, BA, Alta Care Group
11 years ago, Monique entered early childhood as a preschool teacher for Head Start in Mahoning County. She has served as Education Supervisor and Disabilities Coordinator within the Head Start framework before recently shifting her professional focus shifted towards the area of mental health within child development. She is committed to serving the holistic needs of children, families, and educators within her community. Monique has recently begun a Master of Social Work Program, and assumed the position of Early Childhood Mental Health Supervisor at Alta Care Group while starting her journey as a Master Trainer. “It is with immense honor that I accept this role, recognizing the opportunity it affords to contribute towards Early Childhood Mental Health services. I am deeply committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children and families within our community." Moniques@altacaregroup.org
Erin Finley, LISW-S, ECMH-C, OIMHP-III, Hopewell Health Centers
Erin Finley is an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Coordinator and Master Trainer for Hopewell Well Centers, Inc. in Southeastern, Ohio. Erin has provided Southeastern Ohio with mental health services for the past 8 years; serving as a case manager, school-based therapist, Infant and Early Childhood Therapist/ Consultant, clinical supervisor and coordinator. Erin is certified to provide Parent Child Interaction Therapy and Child Parent Psychotherapy. In addition, she is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, holds an Early Childhood Mental Health Credential, Infant Mental Health Level III Credential, and Trauma Informed Care Credential. Erin graduated with her Bachelors and Master’s degree from Ohio University in Athens. She currently resides in Noble County with her 2 year old son. Erin.Finley@hopewellhealth.org
Kayla Hairston, Green County ESC
As a passionate leader in her field, Kayla combines her deep knowledge of public health and her unwavering commitment to supporting children's mental wellness. Since earning her Master of Public Health from Wright State University in 2018, Kayla has focused her efforts on ensuring that children and families receive the mental health support they need, starting from the earliest years of life. Kayla’s work is grounded in a belief that early intervention is key to lifelong well-being, and she is committed to raising awareness about the critical importance of IECMH. Kayla's roles have spanned various sectors, from coaching Medicaid recipients to achieve personal goals to providing support for children with autism. At the heart of her career is her passion for equipping mental health professionals and educators with the tools they need to foster strong emotional foundations for children. Kayla also volunteers as the Self-Care Subcommittee Co-Chair for Montgomery County’s Prevention Coalition (2021-2025), where she continues to champion local mental health initiatives. When she’s not working, Kayla enjoys singing and watching Disney movies with her three beautiful girls, cuddling with her precious baby boy, and exploring new cultures and cuisines with her husband and family. “I am excited to have the opportunity to educate and empower the child serving professionals across Ohio to be advocates for mental wellness for the children in their care, as well as themselves!” khairston@greeneESC.org