Kathy Deschner
Kathy Deschner was presented with the Prevention Professional of Excellence Award at the 2018 Washington Prevention Summit in Yakima early last month.
Among other criteria, the award is for a nominee who provides leadership in the community and is committed to substance abuse prevention.
“Kathy Deschner has made endless contributions to prevention in Clark County and the Prevent Together: Battle Ground Prevention Alliance in over 20 years working in the prevention field,” her nomination description reads in part.
Deschner’s passion for preventing drug abuse was spurred when her son died of a heroin overdose after forming an addiction to doctor-prescribed pain pills in high school.
Along with her role as coalition coordinator for Prevent Together, Deschner works with a youth prevention team who contributed over 2,000 hours of community service in the past two years; she has partnered closely with Rocksolid Community Teen Center, providing prevention education, information, and activities to the youth who attend the after-school program; she has organized National Night Out for the past three years, which, this year, more than 600 community members attended.
“Kathy has worked hard to reach all sectors of our community, build awareness about the importance of prevention education, increase collaboration and establish partnerships, provide education to youth, parents and the community, and provide support and training to Coalition Leaders,” said Battle Ground Police Chief Bob Richardson, who also sits as Chair of Prevent Together.
