Mrs. Valerie Leach is a Prevention Administrator with the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, Office of Prevention & Wellness. She currently leads and facilitates the advancement of BH Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Supports utilizing the public health approach related to substance abuse, suicide, depression/anxiety, youth empowerment and for the State of Ohio. Mrs. Leach has been with the department since March 2007. She has worked in the field of behavioral health providing direct care services in correctional settings and also has experience in providing services to individuals in the community with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Mrs. Leach graduated from Ohio University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and has been working in the field Behavioral Health for over 15 years.