Ms. Jennifer Townsend
Mental Health Consultant
As our mental health consultant, Ms. Jennifer Townsend was extremely crucial in helping develop our campaign and navigate how to gain traction with our peers. She gave us tactics on how to present risk & protective factors and gain a larger audience overall. She has been with us since day 1, and we are grateful to have her by our side through this journey of competing in this event.
Townsend graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Communication studies from Sam Houston State University in December 2013, and a Specialist Degree in School Psychology from Texas State University in May 2017. Her primary role is supporting students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities, including Depression, Anxiety, and Autism, but has experience working with students with substance abuse difficulties through her time as the School Psychologist for the Victoria JJC. In her current role, she conducts psychoeducational evaluations to determine support needs for students with disabilities, provide direct counseling services to these students, intervene in mental health crises, and develop behavior support plans for students who struggle with their mental health.
Mr. Angelo Malfatti
Mental Health Specialist
Malfatti worked for a county mental health agency in northern Utah. Specifically he worked as a case manager for non violent, first time offenders, some of which participated in the Drug Court program. As part of his thesis, or focus area of study, he did a research project on the efficacy of the program as it was reported by its participants. Essentially, he was able to see the various ways in which substance use disorders arise, and more importantly how they can be prevented or treated.
Dr. Elizabeth Peckham
Neurologist
Central Texas Neurology Consultants
Peckham, of Central Texas Neurology Consultants, specializes in “the diagnosis and treatment of movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Parkinsonism, Essential tremor, Myoclonus, Tourette's syndrome/Tics, Ataxia, Dystonia, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), Huntington's disease, Tardive Dyskinesia, and Psychogenic movement disorders. Dr. Peckham also has extensive experience with the evaluation for and programming of deep brain stimulators and botulinum toxin injections, and has a deep interest in participating in clinical research to advance the development of potential treatments for her patients.” Her neurological background allows her to know the science behind addiction on a deeper level, and provide intellect in order to supplement our campaign.