CHADS Coalition is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to advance the knowledge and prevention of adolescent depression and suicide through awareness, education and research.

2008 Board of Directors

Marian & Larry McCord – Founders and Executive Directors

Neal Penberthy - Director of Education

Aline Holtz - Director of Research

Ron Evan - Director of Compliance

Lisa Klempert - Director of Finance

Patrick Wallace - Director of Public Relations

Sue Nordstrom - Director of Medical Relations

Lori Rasmussen - Director of Corporate Relations

Rita Pratt - Director of Events

Katie Kempf - Director of Events

Teresa Zorumski - Director of Events

Jessica Robert - Director of Events

Anne Wilding - Director of Community Outreach

Pam Morgan - Director of Volunteers

Advisory Board

Dr. Patrick Stack, D.Min.,
LMFT, LPC, NCC, CASAC.
Director of Counseling/Life Development, Webster University

Erin Aholt
Doctor of Psychology Candidate, Counseling Psychology
BA Psychology, AS Psychology

Education – Neal Penberthy – runs the SOS program implementation and the teacher symposium.

Awareness presentations – Marian McCord – gives 2 or 3 presentations every month to promote adolescent mental health awareness.

Research – Aline Holtz – Coordinates the selection of new research grants and works with recipients of existing research grants. Directs the fellowship programs.

Compliance – Ron Evens – makes sure CHADS coalition is compliant with the published guidelines for a non-profit organization. Updates information on various non-profit websites to make sure we are projecting an accurate picture to our donors.

Finance and accounting – Lisa Klempert

Public relations – Patrick Wallace

Medical relations – Sue Nordstrom – coordinates with local medical professionals and runs the doctors symposium.

Corporate relations – Alice Ross – develops corporate sponsors for CHADS Coalition’s events.

Community Outreach – Anne Wilding – works with other non-profits with common goals.

Fund Raising Event Coordinator - Lori Rasmussen

Event Coordinator - Rita Pratt

Event Coordinator - Jessica Robert

Event Coordinator - Katie Kempf

Educational Diagnostician - Russell Hyken
Ed.S, M.A., LPC, NCC, CEP, CPE
Educational & Psychotherapy Services,LLC

2007 CHADS Coalition Accomplishments

• Received a $96,000 Grant to be spread out over 3 years from the WellPoint Foundation to be used to purchase the Signs of Suicide Program for every High School and Middle School both public and private in the St Louis Region
• Awarded the “What’s right with the Region” award from Focus St. Louis
• Through Fund Raising Events CHADS has raised over $100k to be used for educational out reach and research
• Have received enough corporate sponsorship so 100% of the public’s donations goes to research or programs for the cause.
• Presented the SOS Program to over 1300 high school and middle school students in multiple assemblies. About 75 students felt they were at risk and talked with a school counselor
• The “Kids Walking for Kids” event had over 600 people doing the memorial walk, 1000 donors, 170 memorial luminaries were made and $75,000 was raised.
• Awarded our 2007 (second) research project to Dr Botteron from Washington University Medical School of Medicine to do an MRI study on twins with and without depression.
• Funded 2 summer fellowships for an undergraduate and medical student from Washington University to do research in early onset mood disorders.
• Received two $2900 mini-grants from the state
• Larry and Marian McCord and Neal Penberthy, Director of Education, spoke at a The Mo State Conference on Suicide Prevention
• 10 high schools and middle schools have verbally committed to work with CHADS to implement the Signs of Suicide program in their health classes. www.mentalhealthscreening.org
• Our 3rd annual 5K run/3k walk was very successful, attendance was 440 (up 10%) and raised over $9000 (up 10%)
• Held two Christmas Concerts, 300 students sang out for the cause, $5000 raised.
• The BOD has allocated $80,000 for the 2008 Research Budget.
• Quarterly Electronic newsletters
• Selected as an organization for the Webster University Internship Program
• Marian McCord has given over 40 Presentations on Adolescent Depression and Suicide to both adults and students.

2006 CHADS Coalition Accomplishments

• CHADS awarded a $22,000 Research Grant to Dr Anne Glowinski from Washington University who specializes in suicidality research (May).
• Marian McCord was the Keynote Speaker for the Statewide Suicide Prevention Conference in Jefferson City (June).
• Hosted 5K Walk/Run in Honor of Suicide Awareness Day. Dr Richard Todd; Director of Adolescent Psychiatry at Wash U was the Keynote Speaker. Approximately 350 kids and adults in attendance. (September).
• CHADS presented SOS (Signs of Suicide) Program to 150 students at Oakville Senior High. October)
• CHADS presented SOS (Signs of Suicide) Program to 45 St Louis School District Curriculum Directors (December)
• Director of Education, Neal Penberthy, presented to MO Assoc of Secondary Assistant Principals (December).
• Development of 2.5 hour Teacher Symposium on Teen Depression & Suicide was completed. (December).
• Hosted Christmas Concert given by approximately 150 students from four area high schools and two area colleges. Suicide awareness presentation to approximately 500 in attendance (December).
• 15 presentations attended by a total of 2000 people.

2005 CHADS Coalition Accomplishments

• Incorporated in January.
• Submitted our logo for trademark approval in April.
• Received 501c3 letter in August.
• Held 3 fundraisers.
• Raised about $40,000.
• Subject for 13 newspaper articles, TV show and radio show segments