Ensuring a quality state system
The Arkansas Peer Advisory Committee (APAC) serves as a key resource for the DHS/Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DHS/OSAMH) on all matters related to peer recovery. APAC members include the Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Recovery and up to 15 community stakeholders, who are certified Peer Workers with extensive knowledge and experience. This includes evaluating and approving the eligibility of Peer Recovery Supervisors (PRS) prior to their certification testing and approving proposed continued education hours necessary for Peer Workers to receive accreditation.
APAC Mission Statement: APAC unites the skills, passions, and experiences of Peer Workers through outreach and advocating for peer services to provide career and personal development to ensure the sustainability of the peer recovery profession.
APAC Vision Statement: To be the subject matter experts for peer services while upholding the ethical responsibilities of peer support in the State of Arkansas.
Download the Continued Education Application
Download the APAC Regional Seat Application
Chair: Casey Copeland, PRS
Casey Copeland is the Director of Recovery Services for the State of Arkansas and a Peer Support Peer Supervisor. Living in long-term recovery from Substance Use Disorder since 2017, Casey began his path as a Peer Support Specialist, known for his genuine empathy and knack for connecting with people battling substance use and mental health challenges. His first year of recovery was dedicated to volunteering with various organizations in Central Arkansas.
Once he achieved abstinence from substances, Casey met and married his wonderful wife, Megan, and in 2020, they celebrated the birth of their daughter, Adilynn. Deeply committed to his faith, Casey gives all the credit for his achievements to God and stays focused on his recovery by actively participating in a recovery program. When he’s not working, Casey loves spending quality time with family and friends, working out, and enjoying the great outdoors. He’s also a deacon at his church, which brings him great joy.
Casey has worn many hats over the years, including Director of Arkansas Peers Achieving Recovery Together (APART), Director of Rock of Hope transitional houses, co-founder and president of The Copeland Foundation (TCF), and Chairman of the Arkansas Peer Advisory Committee (APAC). Now, as the Director of Peer Services for the State of Arkansas, Casey has played a key role in creating, managing, and rolling out numerous programs statewide. His efforts have made a big splash in improving substance use and mental health services in Arkansas, championing inclusivity, and empowering people on their recovery journeys.
Region 1
Joseph Cruz
Joseph Cruz is a person with over a decade of experience in long term recovery from substance misuse disorder and mental health. He started his peer recovery support journey in 2019 and received certification during November 2020. Following up with advanced certification, then peer recovery supervisor April 2023. He currently has over two hundred hours of specialized training during his tenure. Joseph has been a speaker for several panels as a peer specialist representative. And currently he serves as a committee member for APAC.
Ashley LaHue
Ashley LaHue is the executive director of Positive Energy Affecting Recovering Lives (P.E.A.R.L). She is a Peer Recovery Peer Supervisor and serves on the Arkansas Peer Ethics Review Committee.
She knows firsthand the struggles of early recovery and has made it her life’s passion to help end the stigma that comes with substance use disorders. Her work history includes intensive case management for the Arkansas Transitional Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, serving as a workforce specialist with the Department of Workforce Services, and holding positions with Arkansas Community Corrections and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. Ashley has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Dangie Casper
Dangie Casper is a dedicated advocate in Peer Support as a Peer Supervisor in training. With a wealth of lived and professional experience, Dangie is committed to advocating for individuals in addiction recovery, empowering them to set and achieve meaningful goals essential for their recovery journey to wellness. In her role, Dangie serves as a vital bridge between peers and service providers, facilitating communication and collaboration among judges, community leaders, law enforcement, first responders and healthcare providers. Through these connections, she strives to foster understanding and reshape public perceptions of addiction.
Dangie is also a Trainer of Trainers for the core & advanced levels of peer support and Justice Involved Peer Specialist across the state of Arkansas as well as Narcan administration, demonstrating her dedication to equipping others with the necessary skills to support those in recovery. Dangie earned her national certification from the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors and has a strong educational background in nursing and Sports Medicine. In addition to her professional roles, Dangie is an active member of the Arkansas Peer Advisory Committee and serves as the activities chair for her 12-step recovery group, reflecting her commitment to community engagement. With 6 years of sustained recovery, Dangie embodies the resilience and strengths she seeks to inspire in others with her passion and expertise is making a difference and a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves. Dangie Casper is a committed Peer Supervisor in training, bringing both personal experience and professional skills to her advocacy in Peer Support. Her primary focus is empowering individuals in addiction recovery to define and achieve significant recovery goals that promote overall wellness. Dangie acts as a crucial link between peers and service providers, fostering effective communication and teamwork among various stakeholders, including judges, community leaders, law enforcement, first responders, and healthcare providers. Through these collaborations, she works to build understanding and transform societal views on addiction.
As a Trainer of Trainers for core and advanced peer support, Justice Involved Peer Specialist training, and Narcan administration across Arkansas, Dangie is dedicated to equipping others with essential support skills. Nationally certified by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, she also possesses a strong educational foundation in nursing and Sports Medicine. Actively involved in her community, Dangie is a member of the Arkansas Peer Advisory Committee and serves as the activities chair for her 12-step recovery group. With six years of continuous recovery, Dangie’s passion and expertise drive her efforts to inspire resilience in others and make a significant difference in the lives of those she serves.
Region 2
Les Cupp
Les is a Peer Recovery Peer Supervisor, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Certified Clinical Supervisor. He is a person of long-term recovery and has more than two decades of experience as a counselor and clinical supervisor for substance use disorders. He contributed knowledge and expertise to the development of the Arkansas Model for Peer Support curriculum.
He is currently the peer support coordinator at the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement and is a member of the Arkansas Substance Abuse Certification Board.
Les grew up in Morrilton and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas. He is married to his beautiful wife, Phèdre, and has two sons, Louden and Finley. He enjoys camping and spending time outdoors.
Shalinda Woolbright
Shalinda Woolbright is the founder and executive director of NEA Divine Intervention women’s sober living and community peer centers. Her substance use disorder began at age 17, and she acquired four probation officers, one parole officer, and a $22,000 debt for restitution fees. After losing custody of her children for the fourth time, she was determined to find a new way to live. In long-term recovery, she gives back to her community in her role as a Peer Recovery Peer Supervisor.
Region 3
Monte Payne
Edward L Payne was born in Los Angeles an his friends called him Monte. Monte graduated from High School and went to the Military where he started drinking and was discharged with a entry level separation. Monte was dejected and started on the road of addiction smoking CRACK. Monte suffered through years of addiction on the streets of Los Angeles. When he finally decided to make a try for a new life, Monte came to Arkansas …. in the trunk of a car to escape murders drug dealers looking for revenge! He tried, but his new life was not to be. Within a few years, Monte was back in the iron grip of crack cocaine. He was once more on the streets, in Arkansas this time.
In 2004, Monte entered Hoover Treatment Center and began a new life in earnest this time. He did so well that, in 2007, the Courts awarded him custody of his then 12-year-old son. Monte raised his son and put him through college at UCA. Pretty impressive for a man who spent years on the streets struggling with his addiction. Equally impressive is the fact that in 2007 Monte also began working at the Hoover Treatment Center as a case manager. He worked in treatment housing and after care and, over time, has helped thousands of individuals get sober. Monte’s life continues its upward spiral. In 2018 Monte began working as a Peer Support Specialist and trainer and, here, found his niche. Monte has trained more Peers in Arkansas than any other trainer by far. In 2019 he was named Trainer of the Year at the first Arkansas Peer Support Conference. Monte is well-credentialed and extensively active in his community:
- Monte is a certified Narcan trainer.
- He is a member of Community Health Worker’s Certification Committee
- He is a UAMS grant reviewer.
- He is a member of TRI (Translation Research Institute).
- He is on the board of the Arkansas Peer Advisory Committee.
- He is a member of the Arkansas Peers Achieving Recovery Together Coalition.
- He is on the board of Better Community Development
- He is a Peer Recovery Peer Supervisor.
- He is currently working at Wolfe Street Foundation as the Peer Program Manager
Tojuana Greenlaw
Tojuana Greenlaw is a Peer Recovery Peer Supervisor. She started her recovery journey in July of 2010. She has completed all 3 levels of the Arkansas Model and is a Trainer of Trainers and sits on the APAC committee. Tojuana currently works with Arkansas Blue Cross/ Blue Shield as the Peer Support Specialists Lead. Tojuana has a passion for helping individuals that may have walked the similarities that she has walked. Working as a Peer Recovery Specialists allows me the opportunity allows me to meet an individual where they are and to walk with individuals on their recovery journey of their choice.
Stacey Franks
Stacey Franks is a person in long-term recovery and works as a PRPS (Peer Recovery Peer Supervisor) at River Valley Medical Wellness. She is passionate about using her lived experience to help as many people as possible overcome the obstacles of substance use disorder. Stacey’s role at River Valley Medical Wellness involves connecting individuals to community resources in order to help them build a foundation for sustainable, long-term recovery.
Additionally, she is active in the State of Arkansas’ Peer Recovery Initiatives, serving on APAC, the Arkansas Peer Advisory Committee. She is a Trainer of Trainers for the state of Arkansas to train others to become Peer Recovery Support Specialists. Stacey is also actively involved in her community, leading a recovery life group called G5 Recovery at New Life Church in Cabot. She volunteers at Hoover Treatment Center, helping women in recovery, as well as being the Public Relations Chair for a 12-step recovery fellowship.
Stacey loves the outdoors, traveling, and spending time with her family. She’s quirky and fun-loving and enjoys the privilege of being of service to others.
Region 4
Lynette Hanley
Lynette Hanley has been in long-term recovery for six years and is currently an Advanced Peer Specialist and Supervisor in Training. Since March 2021, she has worked as a Peer Specialist for the RSAT program at the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to her role there, she serves as a Region 4 representative on the APAC committee, contributing her expertise and dedication to her community.
Carlotta Powell
Director of Substance Abuse Services
Powell is a person with over 23 years of long-term recovery. She is the Director of Substance Abuse Services for SWACMHC. Powell was one of the first Trainer of Trainers for the State of Arkansas. Powell was instrumental in the development of the AR model of Peer services. She is currently a PRPS as well as a Trainer of Trainers. Powell sits on the APAC board as well as the ASACB.
Haley Rudd
Haley Rudd is a Peer Recovery Specialist dedicated to empowering others through her role at Garland County Specialty Courts. Her lived experience in recovery and commitment as an Advanced Peer in Training make her a guiding light of hope and inspiration to those she supports in the community.
Region 5
Desi Sims, MA, BS, PRS, NCPRSS
Desi is a resolute Peer Recovery Supervisor with a wealth of experience in both personal recovery and professional leadership. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in biblical studies, Desi brings a holistic perspective to his work. As someone with 25 years of personal recovery and a successful reintegration into society after incarceration, he serves as an inspiration and mentor for many individuals on their own recovery journeys.
In addition to his role as a PRS, Desi is an Ordained Minister, Dean of Education for the Phillips County Ministerial Alliance, and Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Arkansas community health clinic, ONCHC. He also actively participates in the Arkansas Peer Advisory Committee (APAC) and is a long-term member of the NAACP. Desi’s deep commitment to community service and social justice guides his efforts to support recovery and personal growth across the state.
Desi is transitioning to early retirement from his position at ARISA Health (as of 10/10/2024) to focus on expanding his impact in the recovery and faith communities. He plans to provide Peer Supervision at NEA Divine Intervention in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and contribute to the Arkansas Peer Specialist Program. His future endeavors also include expanding his ministerial work, advocacy efforts, and community development projects in the Delta region of Arkansas, where he currently pastors two churches and hopes to establish a third, utilizing spiritual principles to address local challenges.
Desi holds the credential of National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (NCPRSS), further affirming his expertise and dedication to the field of peer recovery.
Bonnie Baker
Bonnie Baker is a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist for the 1st Judicial District Specialty Courts pursuing her Advanced Certification as an Advanced Peer In Training. She is a person in long term recovery from Substance Use Disorder, homelessness, unemployment and hopelessness. In 2016 she saw the Spark of Hope that her life could be different and went from hopelessness to hope through help from God and a supportive group around her. In 2019 she entered into a Life Recovery Program when she realized she needed a higher level of help and has been in sustained recovery since, 1st working and living at the recovery center she completed for two years in Paragould and soon after working at a women’s reentry in Jonesboro till her move to Forrest City at the end of 2022.
She was first introduced to the Peer Recovery Profession in early 2022 when a Justice Involved PRSS helped to get a loved one into treatment. The support and compassion that was shown in the situation inspired her to pursue the training herself. She then married and joined her husband in Forrest City where they participate in the local recovery community and get inspired everyday by the resilience of people in recovery.
