Ohio IECMH Master Trainers
Rachael Shields, 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 through consultation and by providing professional training in Early Childhood Social and Emotional Development. She completed her Bachelor's of Science degree at the University of Findlay in Early Childhood Education. She also holds a Master's of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University and the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. She is currently completing her certification in Child Parent Psychotherapy as well. RachaelT@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
Christina Jones-Davidson, Ph.D., Alta Care Group
Dr. Christina Jones-Davidson has dedicated the past 13 yrs to the field of education, spanning both early childhood and elementary settings. She has experience with children from 6 wks. to 5 yrs, as well as teaching second and third grade. She has served as a teacher, program coordinator, and supervisor, gaining valuable leadership experience across private childcare centers, military installations, public and charter schools, and now Head Start. She earned a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a M.S. degree in Educational Psychology and completed her Doctorate in the Philosophy of Psychology in March 2021. According to Dr. Jones-Davidson, “This deepened my understanding of the connection between child development and behavior, helping me uncover the why behind children’s words and actions.” At Alta Care group she serves as the ECMH master trainer and a consultant, where she is able to educate, encourage, and help build the capacity of early childhood programs by training and guiding educators to better understand children’s behavior, strengthen relationships, and create supportive learning environments. “My passion for children and education has guided my academic and professional journey." cjonesdavidson@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