Joanne Montgomery is the current Director of Medication-Assisted Treatment and HIV/AIDS Services, a division of Regional Network of Programs, Inc., a set of treatment facilities for adults with opiate dependence disorders and/or HIV/AIDS. Ms. Montgomery has worked in the behavioral health field for thirteen years with adolescents and adults with substance abuse, mental health and medical issues.  She is a certified addiction counselor, clinical supervisor, medicated assisted treatment specialist, and has a speciality certificate to treat occuring disorders, all recognized by the Connecticut Certification Board, Inc. Ms. Montgomery is intricately involved with numerous community activities and is currently appointed as a member of the Ryan White Planning Council.  In this role, she is responsible for the oversight of all of the funding for New Haven and Fairfield Counties targeted for direct care to persons living with HIV/AIDS.  Ms. Montgomery was successful in creating a new and innovative treatment modality for substance abusers living with HIV/AIDS with her previous employer.  This case management and crisis intervention model was implemented throughout Fairfield County and assisted many clients in achieving their goals related to harm reduction and proper medical care.  As Director of Medication-Assisted Treatment, Ms. Montgomery is committed to enhancing client care through the development of a ‘treatment on demand’ model, having successfully designed and implemented a 90 minute admission process.  This is the first time such a model has been implemented in the State of Connecticut and recognition was received by DMHAS for outstanding achievement.  She is equally dedicated to providing sound supervision for the clinical team in order to strengthen knowledge and clinical skills; thus, providing cutting-edge high quality services for all clients in need.

Jennifer Kolakowski has worked in the social work profession since 1989. For the past four years, she has held the position of  Program Development Specialist for Regional Network of Programs, Inc.  RNP is a leader in the provision of substance abuse, mental health and residential services in the Greater Bridgeport Area.  As the Program Development Specialist, Jen has administrative, clinical, and grant writing responsibilities. Jen has over 18 years of experience in working with people who are homeless, living with HIV/AIDS, have psychiatric disorders and/or are chemically dependent.  She was the director of Prospect House Programs, a division of Regional Network of Programs, Inc, for nine years. Under her leadership, Prospect House expanded to include both permanent and transitional housing. In addition, Jennifer implemented a comprehensive, clinical case management program. In  2001, Jen and Prospect House programs were recognized for their outstanding work on behalf of the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS.  Jen earned her MSW degree from Fordham University in 1996.

Kevin Kasbarian is currently the Director of Adolescent Prevention & Treatment Services for Regional Network of Programs, Inc.  He has worked in the field of substance abuse treatment for over fourteen years.  Mr. Kasbarian holds a bachelor of sociology from the State University of New York at Purchase.  He is certified as an Addiction Counselor and a Clinical Supervisor.  He also has been certified by Esocen at the Associate level to utilize progressive tools of meditation and breathing techniques to compliment traditional therapeutic treatment services.  At this time, he is a candidate for the Specialty Certification in Co-Occurring Disorders.  Mr. Kasbarian holds primary responsibility for the clinical and administrative oversight of prevention and intervention services for adolescents and their families.  He has provided direct clinical counseling services for youth and adults with substance abuse, mental health and medical disorders as well as clinical supervision of counseling staff and interns.  He has been actively involved in program planning and implementation of prevention and intervention services in the traditional office-based setting, school system, and community.  Mr. Kasbarian has participated in clinical research trials set forth by the National Institute of Drug Abuse including Group-based Contingency Management for adolescents and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Enhancement Therapy for adults.  These innovative protocols focus on specific techniques to increase engagement, retention, and overall client outcomes. In addition, he was trained in the formation and delivery of Smoking Cessation groups for clients with severe persistent psychiatric disorders and developed a treatment manual for use with this population, in conjunction with the Stamford Community Health Center.  Notably, Mr. Kasbarian worked collaboratively with several providers and community officials to implementing a program of restorative justice for youth known as the Juvenile Review Board.  He is currently an active member of an expert panel which offers formal reviews of cases and determines treatment recommendations.

Stella Ntate, LCSW, LADC, has worked in the behavioral health field since 1998. Ms. Ntate holds licenses in Clinical Social Work and Alcohol and Drug Counseling. In her role as Director of Adult Outpatient Services, she has the administrative responsibilities for program planning, development and program oversight as well as providing clinical supervision to the treatment team. Ms. Ntate has extensive experience in providing substance abuse and mental health services as both a direct care professional and clinical/administrative supervisor. She is skilled in the assessment and treatment of clients with co-occurring disorders. She has worked with a range of clients in various treatment modalities including adults, adolescents, couples and families in home-based services, medication-assisted treatment and intensive residential programs and has been involved in two successful SAMHSA funded TCE’s working with dually diagnosed patients on buprenorphine (Project Best) and working with engaging African American clients in accessing treatment (Amistad Village Project) within a culturally competent model of engagement. She brings a client-centered approach and incorporates a similar philosophy in providing supervision and leadership for the clinical team.

Don Demaine, is the current Director of Network Management for Regional Networkof Programs. He has worked in IT since 1995 and in IT in the Behavioral Health field since 1999. Mr. Demaine holds certifications in Microsoft and Netware Network Operating Systems and has extensive experience in Linux Network Operating Systems as well as experience in desktop hardware, operating systems, and customer support. In Mr. Demaine’s role at Regional Network of Programs he is charged not only with assuring the staff of high availability of network resources but with being proactive training the staff in the use of computers and seeing that the agency technology needs are up to industry standards. Mr. Demaine also has a role in assisting Regional Network of Programs attaining CARF accreditation

Rhonda Panda, BS, CAC, CCDP, MATS is the current Director of the Drug Intervention Program for Regional Network of Programs, Inc.  She has worked in the behavioral health field for over 10 years combining both mental health and substance abuse treatments for persons with legal involvement at the Department of Children and Families and as a counselor for the Drug Court program from 2004-2007.  She holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Resources from the University of Connecticut, School of Family Studies and is recognized by the Connecticut Certification Board as a Certified Addictions Counselor, a Co-occurring Disorders Professional and a Medically Assisted Treatment Specialist. Ms. Panda is responsible for supervising, directing and coordinating all activities and aspects of the Drug Court program.  She has successfully improved the relationship of the Drug Court treatment program with the judicial court, probation department, local law enforcement and community supports through education and outreach.  Ms. Panda is a member of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.