Kansas Prevention Collaborative Conference 2026
October 15 – 16, 2026
Pre-Conference: October 14, 2026
Wichita, KS
2025 Kansas Prevention Collaborative Award Recipients
2025 Award Recipients were recognized at the Kansas Prevention Conference Award Luncheon on October 16th.
Deanne Armstrong
Kansas Prevention "Sally Zellers" Lifetime Achievement Award
The Kansas Prevention Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes outstanding service and accomplishment spanning a career in Prevention. Nominees can be current or previous prevention professionals who have dedicated no less than 15 years to prevention efforts in Kansas.
The nomination must highlight the exceptional quality of the prevention professional, which makes the nominee a candidate for this Prevention Lifetime Achievement Award, and should include at a minimum:
- Describe how this individual has given their time and talent to Kansas prevention efforts.
- Describe how this individual has engaged new partners in prevention in their community or state.
- Describe how this person has mentored others and/or left a legacy of exemplary prevention expertise and support in Kansas.
Lydia Fuqua
Kansas Prevention Community Leader Award
The Kansas Prevention Community Leader Award recognizes those who have made an outstanding contribution to their community prevention efforts. Nominees can be individuals who could be described as a prevention champion.
The nomination must highlight the exceptional quality of the individual, which makes the nominee a candidate for this Prevention Community Leader Award, and should include at a minimum:
- Describe how this individual has shown leadership in their community prevention efforts.
- Describe how this individual has led the way for local community action and change.
- Describe how this individual has led in a way consistent with the factors described in the Strategic Prevention Framework.
Ellie Foos
Kansas Prevention Young Leader Award Winner:
The Kansas Prevention Young Leader Award recognizes those 22 years or younger who have shown outstanding leadership in prevention efforts in Kansas. Nominees can be individuals exemplifying young leader qualities in prevention efforts in Kansas.
The nomination must highlight the exceptional quality of the individual, which makes the nominee a candidate for this Prevention Young Leader Award and should include at a minimum:
- Describe how this individual has shown leadership in their community prevention efforts.
- Describe how this individual has led the way for local community action and change.
- Describe how this individual has encouraged young people to support culture change needed among other young people related to healthy behaviors.
CKF Addiction Treatment Youth Substance Coalition
Kansas Prevention Coalition of the Year Award Winner
The Kansas Prevention Coalition of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of a coalition dedicated to prevention efforts in their communities. Nominees can be any Kansas coalition demonstrating innovation, collaboration, and an impact in prevention.
The nomination must highlight the exceptional quality of the coalition, which makes the nominee a candidate for the Prevention Coalition of the Year Award, and should include at a minimum:
- Describe how this coalition has made a measurable impact in their community.
- Describe how this coalition has increased its community readiness and capacity to change.
- Describe how this coalition has practiced in a way consistent with the Strategic Prevention Framework.
Gary Henault
Kansas Prevention Collaborative Appreciation Award
The Kansas Prevention Collaborative Appreciation Award was created to recognize an individual whose support has been instrumental in the growth and expansion of the Kansas Prevention Collaborative. This year, Gary Henault, Director of Children’s Services at KDADS, was recognized for his support of prevention in Kansas. Thank you, Gary, for the many years of support. Enjoy retirement; you earned it!
Previous Kansas Prevention Collaborative Award Winners
2024
- Kansas Prevention Community Leader Award
Carla Smith - Kansas Prevention Coalition of the Year Award
Johnson County Prevention and Recovery Coalition - Kansas Prevention Young Leader Award
Jeremiah Olguin - Kansas Prevention “Sally Zellers” Lifetime Achievement Award
Heather Winklepleck
2023
Kansas Prevention Education Award
USD 373 – Newton Public SchoolsKansas Prevention Community Leader Award
Seth McGinnesKansas Prevention Connected Community of the Year Award
Youth Substance Abuse Prevention (YSAP) Action Team, KCK Life Recovery Coalition- Kansas Prevention Young Leader Award
Izzy Blackwood
Rahul Madhavan
- Kansas Prevention “Sally Zellers” Lifetime Achievement Award
Jamie Katz
2022
Kansas Prevention Community Leader Award
Seth DeweyKansas Prevention Connected Community of the Year Award
Harvey County Drug Free YouthKansas Prevention Young Leader Award
Jude Barnes
Abby AguilarKansas Partner in Prevention
Mental Health Association of South Central KansasKansas Prevention “Sally Zellers” Lifetime Achievement Award
Chrissy Mayer
2021
Kansas Prevention Education Award
Amber ZimmermanKansas Prevention Community Leader Award
Benjamin MeierKansas Prevention Connected Community of the Year Award
Safe Streets WichitaKansas Prevention Youth Leadership Award
Russell SpurlinKansas Partner in Prevention
Krista MachadoKansas Prevention “Sally Zellers” Lifetime Achievement Award
Michelle Voth
2020
Kansas Prevention Education Award
Monica KurzKansas Prevention Community Leader Award
Marissa WoodmanseeKansas Prevention Connected Community of the Year Award
Central Kansas Partnership
Woodson County
Interagency
Prairie Band
Potawatomi Nation
Boys and Girls ClubKansas Prevention Youth Leadership Award
Ben BollingerKansas Partner in Prevention Award
Nancy WhiteKansas Prevention “Sally Zellers” Lifetime Achievement Award
Lisa Chaney
2019
Kansas Prevention Education Award
STAND, Mirror Inc.Kansas Prevention Community Leader Award
Lorrie KesslerKansas Prevention Connected Community of the Year Award
Rise Up RenoKansas Prevention Youth Leadership Award
Savannah HunsuckerKansas Partner in Prevention
Chad ChildsKansas Prevention “Sally Zellers” Lifetime Achievement Award
Mollie Thompson
2018
Kansas Prevention Education Award
Holly BowyerKansas Prevention Community Leader Award
Des MartensKansas Prevention Connected Community of the Year Award
Sumner County Community Drug Action TeamKansas Prevention Youth Leadership Award
Eli RedingtonKansas Partner in Prevention
Pam StevensKansas Prevention “Sally Zellers” Lifetime Achievement Award
Max Wilson
Contact
Information
For questions or information, please email Abbi Wend at abbi.wend@wichita.edu or call (316)712-8628.