Ken Litwak, President, is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) with additional certifications in gambling (ICGC-II), trauma (CCTP), and psychological first aid (DRCC). Litwak was the first person awarded the International Gaming Disorder Certificate (IGDC). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management from City University of Seattle, a Master of Science in Professional Counseling specializing in Addiction Counseling from Grand Canyon University, and is pursuing a PhD in Psychology from Northcentral University in California. Litwak has presented workshops and trainings at a variety of events and conferences nationally and in his home state of New Jersey, and he is a U.S. Navy Veteran who has circumnavigated the Earth twice. nnjpresident@gmail.com

Michael L. Williams Jr., CADC, CRPS, NJAPA Regional Director, is the Founder/President of Minor Adjustments Group Inc. and a 10-time published author. He is one of the most sought-after motivational speakers, ministers, and teachers when it comes to recovering from substance use disorder and criminal lifestyles. Williams himself has been through the struggle of recovering from substance use disorder and with his exceptional speeches and the inspirational journey he has the evidence of individuals he has helped to bring extraordinary changes in their life. His teaching and words of wisdom empower people to take the tough, yet rewarding, route to recovery. As many describe, his style of teaching touches the hearts and souls accrediting his personal experience and convincing skills. nnjsouthjersey@gmail.com

Dr. Keith Morgen, Regional Director, is a tenured Professor of Counseling and Director of the Graduate Counseling Programs (including the M.A. Clinical Counseling – Addictions Track Program) at Centenary University Hackettstown, Warren County NJ), where he is a prior recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award. Dr. Morgen is the author of over 40 scholarly articles and book chapters in the areas of trauma, older adult mental health care, prison-based mental health/addiction issues, and co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Dr. Morgen is the author of the book Substance Use Disorders and Addictions (Sage) which is scheduled for a 2nd edition release in 2024. Dr. Morgen is also the co-author of the book Aging Behind Prison Walls: Studies in Trauma and Resilience (Columbia University Press) which was the 2022 recipient of the Society for Social Work and Research Book Award. Dr. Morgen is a former President of the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (a division of the American Counseling Association) and currently serves on the NAADAC practice standards sub-committee focused on older adult substance use disorders care. Dr. Morgen is a Licensed Professional Counselor (New Jersey), Approved Clinical Supervisor, and operates a counseling practice with clients diagnosed with substance use and mental health disorders as well as trauma, anxiety, and mood disorders. nnjnorthjersey1@gmail.com

Rose Marie, NJAPA Secretary, has worked in the field of substance use disorder treatment for over 30 years. She has worked in OP, IOP, Short-term Residential treatment. She has also worked as a Student Assistance Counselor and has taught graduate level counseling courses. Marie currently works as the Clinical Director of the COPE Center – a Division of Oaks Integrated Care in Montclair, NJ. She was recently appointed to the state PAC. Rose has been an active member of NAADAC for many years and was a Commissioner for NCC AP for 10 years. She is currently chair of the NAADAC Ethics Committee. She is excited to be part of the formation of the New Jersey affiliate.

Kathleen Dennis, Clinical Issues Committee Chair, has a master’s degree in Counseling with an emphasis on Addiction Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) and has worked in the field of substance abuse and disorders for 25 years, primarily serving underserved and indigent clients. Dennis has worked in numerous levels of care, including outpatient, intensive outpatient, short and long term residential, and detox, as both a primary counselor and clinical supervisor. Dennis works from the perspective that strengthening counselors’ skills results in better client care, and ultimately an improved system of care. Dennis is credentialed as an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) and a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS). Currently working in private practice, Dennis provides individual counseling and supervision services. She holds designations as a Master’s Addiction Counselor (MAC), a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), and is a Certified Grief Educator. nnjclinicalissues@gmail.com

Dr. Tiffany M. Jenkins, NJAPA CE Committee Chair, is the founder of Awakening Change Counseling Services, LLC, located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She earned a Bachelors in Psychiatric Rehabilitation before completing her graduate studies in Addictions Science and Professional Counseling and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership with a Behavioral Health concentration. As a licensed therapist, Dr. Jenkins’ work centers around individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and/or substance use. She blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Enhancement Therapy to create safe spaces for clients to share, learn, and grow. When not in the therapist’s seat, Dr. Jenkins enjoys working with supervisors and managers to improve leadership outcomes through her innovative coaching curriculum. Awakening Change is also an accredited continuing education provider and Dr. Jenkins enjoys creating workshops and training programs to help clinicians to develop their skills. nnjeducation@gmail.com

Carlita Singletary, NJAPA Peer Recovery Support Liaison, is a person of long-term recovery with over 31 years of abstinence. She has helped pave the way in the recovery community and more. Her social service skills and outreach experience have helped countless of others seeking recovery to find their own pathway and maintain a healthier lifestyle for themselves and families. She has been involved in various levels of service and has demonstrated those efforts through her community service acknowledgements since 1997. She has been the recipient of many awards. Most recently, in October 2019, she was the recipient of the “Outstanding Community Service Award” by Mercer County Women of Community and the State of New Jersey. nnjprs@gmail.com

Ruth Jean-Marie, MBA/PA, LCADC, CCS, is a proven leader with over 20 years of experience in the Human Services field. She currently serves as the Chief Administrator Officer at Avatar where she provides administrative oversight of the facility, ensuring efficient and effective operations while meeting business goals. Her motivation in life, under her leadership, is to see lives restored.

She lives by this quote by the late Maya Angelo: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” nnjmembership1@gmail.com

Connie Ducaine, NJAPA Past President, has been a mental health professional for more than a decade. Ducaine has a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, is a Clinical Supervisor, a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a Licensed Professional Counselor. Through her clinical work, Ducaine has witnessed the benefits of client engagement using Motivational Interviewing and Reality Therapy. She is recognized as a visionary leader and trusted advisor with long-term executive relationships focused on providing support and programming for health plans, counselor educators, and supervisors in the state of NJ. She is a Past President of the New Jersey Counseling Association. Ducaine is currently the Senior Vice President of Strategic Solutions at Vital Decisions and started her career with the organization 10 years ago working directly with health plan members who were approaching end of life. Over her tenure with the company, she has held positions in implementations, clinical account management, account management, and business development. nnjpastpresident@gmail.com