JEN BATSON, M. Ed. -- Jen holds a Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in agency counseling. She worked six years as a counselor for Bradford Health Services and then with Hoover City Schools as a counselor at Crossroads School for three years. She currently is the foundation coordinator for the Alabama Foundation for Oncology. Jen has also facilitated The Bridges Program for the past ten years.

“I think the strength of this program is the opportunity for students and their parents to spend time getting to know each other better; hopefully resulting in a mutual respect and understanding of what the other person thinks, feels, and why they do certain things.”

LIZ GUNTER, M.Ed., LPC -- Liz holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling from UAB, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has worked with Family Connection and Southern Oaks Center, providing both in-school counseling services and residential treatment to adolescents. Currently, she is employed as a counselor with Children’s Harbor Family Center at Children’s Hospital where she counsels and provides support for chronically ill children and their families.

“It has been a tremendous privilege to be a part of The Bridges Program. As a facilitator, I am awed by the resiliency of the families who participate. They show an eagerness to learn new skills/information as well as commitment to better their relationships with one another.”

DAWN WHITE, M. Ed. -- Dawn graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. in Psychology. She received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Montevallo. Dawn has worked at Bradford Health Services, Hoover City Schools and University Hospital Emergency Room. Dawn is currently the student recruiter for the Horizons School. She has been a facilitator for The Bridges Program for the past eight years.

“I think Bridges is a program that every family can benefit from. Honestly, in the eight years I have facilitated Bridges, I cannot remember one family who did not get something out of the program.”

JENNIFER McCOMBS, MSW, LCSW – Jennifer holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has worked at The Big Oak Ranch, Bradford Health Services and Hoover City Schools. Jennifer is currently the Student Assistance Counselor at Hoover High School. She has served as a facilitator for both The Bridges and Middle Ground Programs.

“In The Bridges Program, p arents will learn up to date drug trends, receive support from other families, and work on improving communication in a relaxed setting.”