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Day One, Maine's only agency whose primary focus is adolescent substance use and mental health, presents a panel and round table discussion illustrating the power of a team approach to deliver the tools and skills youth – with the added support of their families – need to break the cycle of substance use.

Panelists: Jeff Aalberg, M.D., Missy Cormier, MSW, Rich Abramson, M.Ed.

Jeff Aalberg, M.D. brings to Day One a broad background in health care. Trained at University of Massachusetts Medical School, his focus became prevention and primary care. After 25 years working within the MaineHealth system, his passion is now helping community-based organizations carry out their missions, including priorities related to health and with strong behavioral and socially related etiologies. As a family doc, responsible for bringing many babies into this world, his medical practice has been strengthened by caring for children, adolescents, adults and their transitions. He brings experience in research, system development, person-focused health care and quality improvement to Day One programs.

Melissa Cormier, MSW, LCSW is the Chief Clinical Officer at Day One. Melissa has been a social worker for the past 17 years, working in a variety of settings, including adult male prisons, hospital systems, and outpatient mental health clinics. Melissa is trained primarily in acceptance and commitment therapy, and uses this model of treatment in her clinical work with adolescents, adults, and couples. Melissa uses her social work frame in strategic planning, process improvement, and clinical quality initiatives in her current role as well as overseeing the clinical programing across Day One, including residential services, outpatient and school based services, homeless youth outreach, and within the correctional setting.

Rich Abramson, M.Ed is a retired Maine School Superintendent of 19 years, and has spent his entire career in Maine working in Education as well as Health and Wellness. Abramson has worked in five school districts during his career (Richmond, Gardiner, Arundel, Wells/Ogunquit, and ending his Superintendent career in Maranacook- Readfield area).  He now is working part-time with Day One as  their Educational Director as well as supervising their Residential Treatment facilities in Education. Abramson also works as President of Abramson Educational Consulting in Portland. As such, he has provided support to many of Maine's charter schools, superintendents across the country, and several Maine school districts.  He is currently serving on Governor Janet Mills Opioid Task Force.

IP Competencies: Communication/Roles & Responsibilities/Teamwork