Tiverton, RI

January 25, 2023

Herren Project, a national nonprofit organization committed to the prevention and recovery of substance use disorder, announced today that Naomi DeSantis has been promoted to Prevention Education Coordinator. Naomi has been a vital part of the prevention team at Herren Project since January 2022. Upon Jillian Moriarty’s departure in December, Herren Project made the decision to promote from within. Naomi’s passion for the mission of Herren Project and experience made her a quality choice to extend this opportunity to serve the organization.

Naomi DeSantis

I am looking forward to having the opportunity to connect with schools and club advisors and learn more about how they utilize the toolkits in their schools/organizations. I am so grateful to be offered this opportunity and am excited to get to know the advisors more. – Naomi DeSantis 

Naomi is a former educator with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and has served the organization as the part-time Prevention Education Specialist since January 2022. Naomi has made note-worthy contributions to help elevate our prevention efforts. She was instrumental in aligning the activities with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Core Competencies and has prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion as an integral part of our club model. To further advance Herren Project’s prevention work, Naomi achieved her Instructor Certification in Mental Health First Aid through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing last year. With her leadership, Herren Project is working on bringing youth and teen mental health first aid to its prevention initiatives. She aims to help educate young people in schools and communities while spreading awareness about mental health and substance use challenges.

Naomi is credited with taking the lead on the development of the 2022-23 newly released Herren Project Club activities. This achievement along with Naomi’s advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion will serve as a meaningful foundation for success as the Prevention Education Coordinator. Naomi strives to grow and sustain an engaging, outcome-driven, inclusive peer network within Herren Project Clubs. I am excited to see Naomi’s passion for our prevention work shared more closely with Club Advisors as she steps into her new role within our organization. – Tricia Mansfield, Director of Programs and Partnerships

Naomi looks forward to building meaningful relationships with Herren Project Club Advisors from the country. She can be reached at naomi@herrenproject.org.

Herren Project Clubs is a school-based, evidence-informed prevention and wellness program designed by prevention specialists, clinicians, and school counselors to empower students to live substance-free while creating a peer network in schools. Its goal is to provide tools to strengthen social-emotional learning and coping skills to make healthy choices and live fulfilling lives.

Learn more about Herren Project Clubs and register to start a club at your school.