Hi! My name is Stephanie Opah, and I am a Community Health Worker II with Harris County Public Health, where I’ve been serving for about 10 months. In my role with the Office of Communications, Education, and Engagement, I focus on outreach, specifically supporting the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Substance Use Prevention programs. I graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio with my Bachelor of Science in Public Health and my Master’s in Health, Community, and Policy. My background in community engagement, including my time with AmeriCorps, has fueled my passion for connecting people to resources, building trust, and creating healthier communities. The section I am presenting on is important to me because behind every statistic is a story about real lives that have been impacted by substance use disorders. As CHWs, we possess a unique role in empowering the community, making public health approachable, and ensuring that people know they are not alone.

Hi! My name is Stephanie Opah, and I am a Community Health Worker II with Harris County Public Health, where I’ve been serving for about 10 months. In my role with the Office of Communications, Education, and Engagement, I focus on outreach, specifically supporting the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Substance Use Prevention programs. I graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio with my Bachelor of Science in Public Health and my Master’s in Health, Community, and Policy. My background in community engagement, including my time with AmeriCorps, has fueled my passion for connecting people to resources, building trust, and creating healthier communities. The section I am presenting on is important to me because behind every statistic is a story about real lives that have been impacted by substance use disorders. As CHWs, we possess a unique role in empowering the community, making public health approachable, and ensuring that people know they are not alone.

Hi! My name is Stephanie Opah, and I am a Community Health Worker II with Harris County Public Health, where I’ve been serving for about 10 months. In my role with the Office of Communications, Education, and Engagement, I focus on outreach, specifically supporting the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Substance Use Prevention programs. I graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio with my Bachelor of Science in Public Health and my Master’s in Health, Community, and Policy. My background in community engagement, including my time with AmeriCorps, has fueled my passion for connecting people to resources, building trust, and creating healthier communities. The section I am presenting on is important to me because behind every statistic is a story about real lives that have been impacted by substance use disorders. As CHWs, we possess a unique role in empowering the community, making public health approachable, and ensuring that people know they are not alone.

Drew Dutton is the President & CEO of Phoenix House Texas, where he has worked for more than 12 years. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor teaching graduate-level courses in addictions counseling at Texas Christian University and the University of Mary. With extensive experience in prevention and treatment, he is committed to expanding access to effective, strengths-based care. The Project Empathy initiative is especially meaningful because it reduces stigma and strengthens communities through innovative, evidence-based approaches.

Hello there! My name is Tumi Adeyoju, and I am a Community Health Worker II with Harris County Public Health, where I am coming up on my one year in January 2026. Within my role under the Office of Communications, Education, and Engagement, I focus on outreach, specifically supporting the ACCESS program as well as Healthy Start. I am a recent post-grad from the University of Houston, GO COOGS! I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a minor in Medicine & Society. I will be pursuing a Master's degree in Healthcare Administration in graduate school. The section I am presenting on is important to me due to the rise of overdoses within our vulnerable populations, not just in Texas, but all over the nation. As much as we can push for legislation change, I believe that, as CHWs, we have an important role to play as well in the rise of Substance Use Disorders. 

Hello there! My name is Tumi Adeyoju, and I am a Community Health Worker II with Harris County Public Health, where I am coming up on my one year in January 2026. Within my role under the Office of Communications, Education, and Engagement, I focus on outreach, specifically supporting the ACCESS program as well as Healthy Start. I am a recent post-grad from the University of Houston, GO COOGS! I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a minor in Medicine & Society. I will be pursuing a Master's degree in Healthcare Administration in graduate school. The section I am presenting on is important to me due to the rise of overdoses within our vulnerable populations, not just in Texas, but all over the nation. As much as we can push for legislation change, I believe that, as CHWs, we have an important role to play as well in the rise of Substance Use Disorders. 

Hello there! My name is Tumi Adeyoju, and I am a Community Health Worker II with Harris County Public Health, where I am coming up on my one year in January 2026. Within my role under the Office of Communications, Education, and Engagement, I focus on outreach, specifically supporting the ACCESS program as well as Healthy Start. I am a recent post-grad from the University of Houston, GO COOGS! I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a minor in Medicine & Society. I will be pursuing a Master's degree in Healthcare Administration in graduate school. The section I am presenting on is important to me due to the rise of overdoses within our vulnerable populations, not just in Texas, but all over the nation. As much as we can push for legislation change, I believe that, as CHWs, we have an important role to play as well in the rise of Substance Use Disorders. 

Hey, y'all. My name is Stephanie Villanueva, and I've been a Community Health Worker with Harris County Public Health (HCPH) for about nine (9) months. My one (1) year anniversary will be in November. In my role with the Outreach team, I support two separate divisions: the Public Health Preparedness & Response (PHPR) division and the Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Emerging Diseases (OESED). I hold a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree from The University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'em). The section I am presenting on is important to me because it provides CHWs with a needed baseline on the different types of substance use prevention available for community members, including a deep dive into what harm reduction is and how we can reduce stigma to make everyone feel comfortable and welcoming when seeking treatment and services.

Hey, y'all. My name is Stephanie Villanueva, and I've been a Community Health Worker with Harris County Public Health (HCPH) for about nine (9) months. My one (1) year anniversary will be in November. In my role with the Outreach team, I support two separate divisions: the Public Health Preparedness & Response (PHPR) division and the Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Emerging Diseases (OESED). I hold a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree from The University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'em). The section I am presenting on is important to me because it provides CHWs with a needed baseline on the different types of substance use prevention available for community members, including a deep dive into what harm reduction is and how we can reduce stigma to make everyone feel comfortable and welcoming when seeking treatment and services.

Hey, y'all. My name is Stephanie Villanueva, and I've been a Community Health Worker with Harris County Public Health (HCPH) for about nine (9) months. My one (1) year anniversary will be in November. In my role with the Outreach team, I support two separate divisions: the Public Health Preparedness & Response (PHPR) division and the Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Emerging Diseases (OESED). I hold a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree from The University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'em). The section I am presenting on is important to me because it provides CHWs with a needed baseline on the different types of substance use prevention available for community members, including a deep dive into what harm reduction is and how we can reduce stigma to make everyone feel comfortable and welcoming when seeking treatment and services.

Hey, y'all. My name is Stephanie Villanueva, and I've been a Community Health Worker with Harris County Public Health (HCPH) for about nine (9) months. My one (1) year anniversary will be in November. In my role with the Outreach team, I support two separate divisions: the Public Health Preparedness & Response (PHPR) division and the Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Emerging Diseases (OESED). I hold a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree from The University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'em). The section I am presenting on is important to me because it provides CHWs with a needed baseline on the different types of substance use prevention available for community members, including a deep dive into what harm reduction is and how we can reduce stigma to make everyone feel comfortable and welcoming when seeking treatment and services.

Hello there! My name is Tumi Adeyoju, and I am a Community Health Worker II with Harris County Public Health, where I am coming up on my one year in January 2026. Within my role under the Office of Communications, Education, and Engagement, I focus on outreach, specifically supporting the ACCESS program as well as Healthy Start. I am a recent post-grad from the University of Houston, GO COOGS! I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a minor in Medicine & Society. I will be pursuing a Master's degree in Healthcare Administration in graduate school. The section I am presenting on is important to me due to the rise of overdoses within our vulnerable populations, not just in Texas, but all over the nation. As much as we can push for legislation change, I believe that, as CHWs, we have an important role to play as well in the rise of Substance Use Disorders. 

Hi! My name is Stephanie Opah, and I am a Community Health Worker II with Harris County Public Health, where I’ve been serving for about 10 months. In my role with the Office of Communications, Education, and Engagement, I focus on outreach, specifically supporting the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Substance Use Prevention programs. I graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio with my Bachelor of Science in Public Health and my Master’s in Health, Community, and Policy. My background in community engagement, including my time with AmeriCorps, has fueled my passion for connecting people to resources, building trust, and creating healthier communities. The section I am presenting on is important to me because behind every statistic is a story about real lives that have been impacted by substance use disorders. As CHWs, we possess a unique role in empowering the community, making public health approachable, and ensuring that people know they are not alone.

Hey, y'all. My name is Stephanie Villanueva, and I've been a Community Health Worker with Harris County Public Health (HCPH) for about nine (9) months. My one (1) year anniversary will be in November. In my role with the Outreach team, I support two separate divisions: the Public Health Preparedness & Response (PHPR) division and the Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Emerging Diseases (OESED). I hold a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree from The University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'em). The section I am presenting on is important to me because it provides CHWs with a needed baseline on the different types of substance use prevention available for community members, including a deep dive into what harm reduction is and how we can reduce stigma to make everyone feel comfortable and welcoming when seeking treatment and services.

Hello there! My name is Tumi Adeyoju, and I am a Community Health Worker II with Harris County Public Health, where I am coming up on my one year in January 2026. Within my role under the Office of Communications, Education, and Engagement, I focus on outreach, specifically supporting the ACCESS program as well as Healthy Start. I am a recent post-grad from the University of Houston, GO COOGS! I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a minor in Medicine & Society. I will be pursuing a Master's degree in Healthcare Administration in graduate school. The section I am presenting on is important to me due to the rise of overdoses within our vulnerable populations, not just in Texas, but all over the nation. As much as we can push for legislation change, I believe that, as CHWs, we have an important role to play as well in the rise of Substance Use Disorders. 

Hi! My name is Stephanie Opah, and I am a Community Health Worker II with Harris County Public Health, where I’ve been serving for about 10 months. In my role with the Office of Communications, Education, and Engagement, I focus on outreach, specifically supporting the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Substance Use Prevention programs. I graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio with my Bachelor of Science in Public Health and my Master’s in Health, Community, and Policy. My background in community engagement, including my time with AmeriCorps, has fueled my passion for connecting people to resources, building trust, and creating healthier communities. The section I am presenting on is important to me because behind every statistic is a story about real lives that have been impacted by substance use disorders. As CHWs, we possess a unique role in empowering the community, making public health approachable, and ensuring that people know they are not alone.

Hey, y'all. My name is Stephanie Villanueva, and I've been a Community Health Worker with Harris County Public Health (HCPH) for about nine (9) months. My one (1) year anniversary will be in November. In my role with the Outreach team, I support two separate divisions: the Public Health Preparedness & Response (PHPR) division and the Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Emerging Diseases (OESED). I hold a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree from The University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'em). The section I am presenting on is important to me because it provides CHWs with a needed baseline on the different types of substance use prevention available for community members, including a deep dive into what harm reduction is and how we can reduce stigma to make everyone feel comfortable and welcoming when seeking treatment and services.

Hello there! My name is Tumi Adeyoju, and I am a Community Health Worker II with Harris County Public Health, where I am coming up on my one year in January 2026. Within my role under the Office of Communications, Education, and Engagement, I focus on outreach, specifically supporting the ACCESS program as well as Healthy Start. I am a recent post-grad from the University of Houston, GO COOGS! I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a minor in Medicine & Society. I will be pursuing a Master's degree in Healthcare Administration in graduate school. The section I am presenting on is important to me due to the rise of overdoses within our vulnerable populations, not just in Texas, but all over the nation. As much as we can push for legislation change, I believe that, as CHWs, we have an important role to play as well in the rise of Substance Use Disorders. 

Hi! My name is Stephanie Opah, and I am a Community Health Worker II with Harris County Public Health, where I’ve been serving for about 10 months. In my role with the Office of Communications, Education, and Engagement, I focus on outreach, specifically supporting the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Substance Use Prevention programs. I graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio with my Bachelor of Science in Public Health and my Master’s in Health, Community, and Policy. My background in community engagement, including my time with AmeriCorps, has fueled my passion for connecting people to resources, building trust, and creating healthier communities. The section I am presenting on is important to me because behind every statistic is a story about real lives that have been impacted by substance use disorders. As CHWs, we possess a unique role in empowering the community, making public health approachable, and ensuring that people know they are not alone.