CHEATHAM COUNTY
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COALITION
OUR STORY
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Our Coalition's goal is to work towards a drug-free community here in Cheatham County, TN, to benefit our youth and adults. We engage in outreach efforts, and partner with local businesses, faith groups, law enforcement, schools, and other youth-serving organizations to immerse ourselves into the community and promote our mission to keep everyone safe, happy, healthy, and drug-free. How do we do all of this? By establishing lasting relationships as well as having an amazing group of people!
MEET THE TEAM
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
Laura Durham started forming the Coalition in 2011 and in 2014 established 501 (c) 3 status. She currently oversees $500,000.00 in annual grant funding for 6 programs. She is responsible for all coalition activities, funding and grant reporting and attends Local, State and National meetings on behalf of the Coalition. Laura is also the Managing Director for the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug & Other Addiction Services (TAADAS) and has been since April 1997. Aside from her Coalition duties, Laura enjoys being a second-generation travel softball parent and spending time with her family. She likes to travel with friends and attending Nashville Predators Hockey games.
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ASSISTANT
DIRECTOR
Jaleese Simpson serves as our Assistant Director and is a Certified Prevention Specialist I and a Suicide Prevention QPR Trainer. Recently, Jaleese was selected to participate in CADCA’s prestigious 7-month Partners in Prevention program, which recognizes adults who excel in engaging youth in substance misuse prevention. Out of more than 170 applicants nationwide, Jaleese was chosen as 1 of only 10 practitioners to join this exclusive cohort. As a Cheatham County resident, Jaleese is deeply connected to the community she serves, bringing both practical knowledge and a passion for making a difference. In her free time Jaleese enjoys browsing antique shops and bookstores, traveling, and spending time with her family!
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DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES PROJECT COORDINATOR
Drug-Free Communities Project Coordinator.​
REGIONAL OVERDOSE PREVENTION SPECIALIST
Joyce Craig joined the team in March of 2025. She received her BS in Psychology in 2015 after serving in the Navy for 17 years. Having worked in the Dental Industry for over 30 years, her love of teaching became a new career goal. In September 2023, she became a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and enjoyed helping clients learn new life skills to assist them in becoming more independent and self-reliant. After working for the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline, she became acutely aware of the profoundly negative impact drugs are having on our nation, which compelled her to become more involved in the solution. As the Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist with our team, she is able to combine her love of teaching, personal experience, and formal education to provide excellent training on topics such as addressing stigma, increasing public awareness of the broader trends of the opioid crisis, the brain science of addiction, compassion fatigue, and how to administer naloxone to assist our citizens in combating the national drug crisis. In addition to enjoying her work she finds pleasure in growing vegetables, writing poetry and exploring the woods with her loyal dog, Boomer.
DRUG ENDANGERED CHILDREN PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Kennedy Day is our Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Project Coordinator. Kennedy is a Clarksville, Tennessee native and is excited to be a new addition to her neighboring county! Kennedy graduated with her B.S. in Human Health and Performance with a concentration in Public Health Sciences and Education from the University of Tennessee, at Martin. In her free time, Kennedy enjoys traveling and trying new things. Kennedy is ready to be of service to Cheatham County and ready to meet those in the community.
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OFFICE ASSISTANT
Linda Perkins serves as our Coalition assistant. She graduated from Austin Peay with a BSW in 2021. She grew up in Cheatham County and is looking forward to working with the community as the Coalition Assistant. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her dogs.
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PROGRAM MANAGER
Alyssa McGirt is our Program Manager. Alyssa began her work at the Coalition as an intern. After graduating from Austin Peay with her BSW she decided to join the Coalition full-time. As the Program Manager, she manages social media, helps with data reporting, and assists with events and lots of other background work. Alyssa enjoys spending time at home with her cats and growing collection of CDs.
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Our Board Members
Ashley Bridgman
Past Chair
Ashley clinard
secretary
Larry Roberts
Treasurer & Chair
Tim Binkley
member advocate