The staff of Project LAUNCH is working diligently to coordinate and improve access and availability of services for infants and young children in Rogers County. The team is busy planning workforce development trainings for service providers, as well as a parenting program for community members. The Rogers County Health Department is pleased to welcome and introduce the Project LAUNCH Team.
Trena Hickinbotham, Rogers County Local Coordinator for Project LAUNCH, is excited about working with the community to promote excellent services for young children and their families. She comes to the health department with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Elementary/Early Childhood Education and is a Certified Child and Parenting Specialist. Trena has worked as a Child Development Specialist providing parenting information for families in Oklahoma since 1988. In 2011 she obtained a level three Infant Mental Health Endorsement from the Oklahoma Infant Mental Health Association. This certification indicates her knowledge to promote the delivery of high quality, culturally sensitive, relationship-focused services to infants, toddlers, parents, and other caregivers of young children. Trena is busy using her vast experience and knowledge to coordinate Project LAUNCH in Rogers County.
Amanda Etheridge is the Psychological Clinician for Project LAUNCH. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and is working toward her Infant Mental Health Endorsement from the Oklahoma Infant Mental Health Association. Amanda lives in Verdigris and is married with two young children. She has a passion for working with children and enjoys this opportunity to work with families. Her previous experience working with adolescents and their families in an inpatient setting will be a valuable asset for Project LAUNCH. Amanda is enthusiastic to partner with the Rogers County community to provide therapeutic services to children birth through eight and their families.
Kittie Haddox provides Project LAUNCH’s clerical support. She started in March 2014 after being a stay-at-home mom for 19 years. Kittie is married and lives in Claremore with her two sons, Taylor and Chad. She previously worked for Rogers County Health Department, but chose to stay home and raise her children when her oldest son was almost two. Kittie loves cooking, reading, photography, and spending time with family and friends. She states she is grateful for being able to return to the health department and thankful for having the opportunity to work with a marvelous team while expanding her knowledge of area services. She is looking forward to a great future with Project LAUNCH.
The Rogers County Health Department is proud to welcome Project LAUNCH staff. This grant funded program will be providing workforce development starting on December 8th. This training is specifically for service providers who will be providing mental health consultation in lower elementary schools and child care facilities in Rogers County. In addition, the team will provide a trauma informed in-services training in January for the lower elementary teaching staff of Verdigris and Justus-Tiawah. Another plan for the spring of 2015 is to bring the internationally acclaimed Circle of Security parenting program for mental health providers to offer Circle of Security in Rogers County.
Project LAUNCH is also a sub-committee of Rogers County’s Healthy Community Partnership and continues to seek input and collaboration from community members. If you have questions or wish to be involved, please contact Trena Hickinbotham at Rogers County Health Department, 918-341-3166 or email her at trenah@health.ok.gov.
