Education:
Rockford University, Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology and minors in Education and Philosophy
Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America Cohort Training
CCAR Recovery Coach Facilitator Certified
Strengths:
The variety of positions and contacts I have developed allows me to see many viewpoints and determine a common ground to use as a starting point for discussion on difficult topics.
Thinking outside the box and being flexible when trying to problem solve.
Recognitions:
Vision of Hope Recipient
McHenry County Woman of Distinction Leadership Greater McHenry County Distinguished Alumni
Woodstock Professional & Business Women, Woman of the Year.
Hi, I’m Laurie CrAin.
My career path led me through nursing homes, specific work with Alzheimer patients, navigating services for chronic mental health clients as they re-established independent living, crisis team, EMT, data/file management, staff training, and working in the school system as a behavioral health tech before settling into a role as a mentor and prevention educator.
I have worked in the prevention field since 2002 and left my position as the Drug Free Community Grant Coordinator for the McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition to establish BEST Communities in April of 2023. I worked in the Drug Free Community Grant for a total of 17 years, 7 years in a school district and 10 years at the county level. I believe my strength lies in community network development.
I have presented and trained on many different topics, both locally and nationally, including drug specific education, media and marketing impact, establishing county-wide initiatives, marijuana policy/local ordinance, and coalition development.
At the state and federal level I serve as a peer-reviewer for grant funding and part of the Illinois Opioid Advisory Education workgroup.
Locally, I have been involved in the Family Violence Coordinating Council, Suicide Prevention Task Force, QPR (suicide awareness trainer), ACES Trauma Informed Trainer, GAINS Trauma Trainer, Leadership Greater McHenry County, McHenry County ACES Team, Community Connection for Youth, Youth Empowerment Alliance and served on the Woodstock Cultural Diversity and Social Awareness Commission.