First Call KC

Overdose Prevention 101
2026-09-04 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | First Call, 9091 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO, United States
In this class, you will learn how to spot an overdose, prevention and response, along with how to engage people who use drugs.

Lea Fleming has dedicated her life to serving others and strengthening communities through compassion, advocacy, and connection. Her work spans diverse populations—from families and friends to incarcerated individuals and community members—focused on reducing harm and connecting people to essential resources and supports.
Lea earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from the University of Central Missouri, where she also served as President of the Association of Social Work Students (ASWS). She is a credentialed Community Health Worker (CHW) in both Missouri and Kansas and was recognized as the 2024 Community Health Worker of the Year for HHS Region 7, which includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Additionally, she is a Certified Peer Support Specialist in Missouri.
Guided by her commitment to equity and justice, Lea is deeply passionate about advocating for individuals who experience social inequities. Her ongoing mission is to challenge harmful policies and help develop equitable systems that promote the greatest good for all.

Marialba Quesada es una antropóloga centroamericana enfocada en el desarrollo comunitario y los derechos humanos. Tiene 8 años de experiencia en la reforma de políticas internacionales sobre drogas, con un enfoque en la juventud, y 10 años de conocimiento en la reducción de daños, principalmente centrada en las poblaciones latinas.

How To Cope: July 2026
2026-09-07 18:00 - 2026-09-28 20:00, 2026-09-09 18:00 - 2026-09-30 20:00, 2026-09-14 18:00 - 2026-10-05 20:00, 2026-09-16 18:00 - 2026-10-07 20:00, 2026-09-21 18:00 - 2026-10-12 20:00, 2026-09-23 18:00 - 2026-10-14 20:00, 2026-09-28 18:00 - 2026-10-19 20:00, 2026-09-30 18:00 - 2026-10-21 20:00 and 6 more dates
A seven-session course for adult family members and friends impacted by a loved one’s substance use. How to Cope helps participants overcome the related physical, psychological, and social effects and build a healthy life for themselves. How to Cope is recognized by the National Association of State Alcohol/Drug Abuse directors as a research informed program proven to strengthen relationship skills and increase resiliency.
July: 7/8, 7/13, 7/15, 7/20, 7/22, 7/27, 7/29

How To Cope: September 2026
2026-09-09 18:00 - 2026-09-30 20:00, 2026-09-14 18:00 - 2026-10-05 20:00, 2026-09-16 18:00 - 2026-10-07 20:00, 2026-09-21 18:00 - 2026-10-12 20:00, 2026-09-23 18:00 - 2026-10-14 20:00, 2026-09-28 18:00 - 2026-10-19 20:00, 2026-09-30 18:00 - 2026-10-21 20:00
A seven-session course for adult family members and friends impacted by a loved one’s substance use. How to Cope helps participants overcome the related physical, psychological, and social effects and build a healthy life for themselves. How to Cope is recognized by the National Association of State Alcohol/Drug Abuse directors as a research informed program proven to strengthen relationship skills and increase resiliency.
September: 9/9, 9/14, 9/16, 9/21, 9/23, 9/28, 9/30

Person Centered Level of Care
2026-09-18 09:00 - 12:00
This immersive program will dive into these critical topics, fostering deeper understanding and practical skills, builds on the last, offering a combination of engaging discussions, and actionable strategies. Participants will learn to approach cultural differences with humility, explore the impact of intersecting identities, and develop tools to effectively recognize and address microaggressions in diverse environments. Perfect for individuals and teams committed to creating inclusive and respectful spaces.

Melissa Gard
Melissa is an avid reader, loves her dog Alta, and is always looking for new places to explore. For the last 13 years, Melissa has worked as the Director of Operations & Administration for First Call, which lets her combine her experience and skills in property and people management with her drive to help others. Additionally, Melissa directs her church bell choir, serves as the Fundraising Chair for the contemporary classical group KC VITAs, and volunteers with grassroots social justice organizations.

Hector Contreras, MPS, MAADC I Youth Counselor, First Call
Hector Contreras is a dedicated Youth Counselor at First Call, passionate about empowering young people to reach their full potential. His commitment to youth development began during his college years in Arkansas, where he worked at a sports and adventure camp on Beaver Lake and later served as an Assistant Site Director for an after-school program supporting underserved communities across Northwest Arkansas. In 2020, Hector relocated to Kansas City to pursue a career in mental health, serving as a Residential Manager and Behavioral Specialist at Embark Behavioral Health. These experiences have shaped a counseling approach grounded in validation, empowerment, and growth. Drawing from his lived experience as a Native Mexican and his fluency in both English and Spanish, Hector brings a deep understanding from his ethnicity and welcomeness to his work with youth and families. He previously collaborated with Wichita State University and the State of Kansas to develop curriculum exploring the intersection of substance use disorders and Spanish-speaking communities. Beyond his counseling work, Hector continues to challenge himself personally—most recently by completing the Kansas City Half Marathon—a reflection of his commitment to perseverance, growth, and holistic well-being.

Keith Faison, CRAADC, LAC, SATOP
Keith has been dedicated to providing counseling and educational services in the Kansas City area for over 30 years. He is a Certified Reciprocal Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CRAADC), Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional, Kansas Licensed Addiction Counselor, and SATOP Certified.Throughout his career, Keith has worked extensively with the Department of Corrections (D.O.C.), DWI and domestic violence offenders, medication-assisted treatment programs, and individuals seeking recovery from addiction.
As the Director of Organizational Development, Keith also supervises and mentors professionals pursuing certification in the field, helping them strengthen their skills and make a greater impact in the community. His deep experience and steady leadership reflect a lifelong commitment to supporting others on their path to recovery and growth.

Lived Experience: How and When I Use It
2026-09-25 09:00 - 12:00
Lived experience refers to someone who has personally struggled with substance use and learned to navigate the recovery process. This presentation will focus on how to effectively serve as a recovery advocate and appropriately incorporate your lived experience when working with others.
Participants will learn how to help individuals identify their needs and barriers through person-centered care, and how to teach self-sufficiency skills that support access to vital community resources. The session will also cover best practices for coordinating care with community partners across key sectors, including housing, mental health, social services, and health care.

Laura Greenwood has been at First Call since January of 2025 as a Recovery Advocate. Laura has earned her Certified Peer Specialist credentials in MO and is in the process of becoming a CPS in Kansas. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kansas. Laura works alongside Kansas residents during their recovery journey. Laura’s sobriety date is 4/14/2016 and she is excited to work at First Call helping others. She likes to share what has worked for her recovery and help others determine what is going to work best for them to achieve their goals.

Pamela DuPriest is a recovery advocate for First Call as well as a Certified Peer Specialist. She also holds the credential of Medication Assisted Recovery Specialist. Pamela started in this field in 2021 working for Comprehensive Mental Health and Rediscover. Pamela has now been at First Call since August of 2024. Pamela states that she wanted to work in this field as she has experienced SUD and wants to learn everything she can to help increase awareness of addiction, so it is not a stigma. Pamela wants to encourage, challenge, engage, connect, acknowledge, and educate others to make a difference in their communities as well.

How To Cope: October 2026
2026-10-07 18:00 - 2026-10-28 20:00, 2026-10-12 18:00 - 2026-11-02 19:00, 2026-10-14 18:00 - 2026-11-04 19:00, 2026-10-19 18:00 - 2026-11-09 19:00, 2026-10-21 18:00 - 2026-11-11 19:00
A seven-session course for adult family members and friends impacted by a loved one’s substance use. How to Cope helps participants overcome the related physical, psychological, and social effects and build a healthy life for themselves. How to Cope is recognized by the National Association of State Alcohol/Drug Abuse directors as a research informed program proven to strengthen relationship skills and increase resiliency.
October: 10/7, 10/12, 10/14, 10/19, 10/21, 10/26, 10/28

From ACEs to PCEs
2026-10-23 09:00 - 16:00
This training explores the principles of trauma-informed care through the lens of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how early adversity impacts brain development, behavior, and mental health outcomes across the lifespan. The session will also highlight the protective role of positive relationships, safe environments, and community connections in fostering resilience and healing. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to integrate trauma-informed and resilience-building approaches into their work with individuals, families, and communities.

Margaux Mueller, CRPS
Margaux Mueller was born in Kansas City and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 2014 and began her career in the substance-use treatment field, working with women seeking recovery. After returning to Kansas City, Margaux joined First Call as a Community Prevention Specialist and discovered her true passion lies in substance use prevention rather than treatment.
Having grown up in a home where substance use was prevalent, Margaux understands the importance of instilling protective factors in children’s lives. She has been working in First Call’s prevention department for nearly eight years and is a Certified Reciprocal Prevention Specialist (CRPS), dedicating her work to supporting youth and communities in building resilience and preventing substance use.

LaTanya Dumas, CRADC
LaTanya Dumas is passionate about helping people grow, heal, and thrive. A proud Kansas City native, she has spent more than 17 years providing counseling, education, and support to individuals and communities across the city. She holds an Associate Degree in Christian Education and is certified in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer). LaTanya brings warmth and authenticity to every session she facilitates, whether leading groups, providing DBT education for Veterans, or supporting individuals in recovery and reentry programs. Her experience includes extensive work with the Department of Corrections, domestic violence offenders, and those involved in medication-assisted treatment. LaTanya’s commitment to empowering others and creating safe, engaging learning environments shines through in all she does.
