The Community Systems team has extensive knowledge, experience and skills relating to community based human service systems. This tested expertise allows us to customize our approach specifically to meet the unique needs of our clients. This approach, when followed helps our clients to achieve positive changes that can be seen and measured. We share our experience and skills as we work together, allowing our clients to sustain the results.  Community Systems' team members endeavor to:

• coach through the change process
• connect well one-on-one or with groups
• modify workshops to match the strengths of the participants
• tailor the process to meet your needs
• team with you, building on your instincts
• think strategically

Our Point of View

We live in a fast moving, constantly changing world. In fact, the only thing that we can be certain of is that change happens!  It is not about how, when, why or where the change first began or what can be done to prevent the change – it is about harnessing the transforming power of ever present change. The dilemma is to be either constantly tossed by the unpredictable sea of change or to chart a course and navigate with the winds of change riding the waves and harnessing its power so that we arrive not just safely, but in a consistently healthier place.  How can we ensure that we have the ability to navigate change in our personal and professional lives?

Come read our point of view and who knows what we may change together!  Click the button below to download our Point of View document now.

Senior Consultants

Carol Hays, Ph.D.
Carol E. Hays, Ph.D., CSII co-founder and Managing Partner, provides consultation and coaching to states and communities across the U.S. on prevention system development and effectiveness, leadership development, strategic communications, and evaluation. A political scientist, Dr. Hays is an active researcher whose interests include capacity building and sustainability of human service systems as well as policy change.
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D.G. Mawn, M.A., J.D.
D. G. Mawn, M.A., J. D., CSII co-founder and Managing Partner, provides consultation and coaching to states and communities across the U.S. on human services/system development and effectiveness, leadership development, strategic planning and communication, and evaluation. A background in anthropology, religion and law provides a skill set that connects well within the political setting as well as the community setting. Mr. Mawn has worked in both the local and state level health systems and brings a strong knowledge of the legislative and judicial process. Throughout his career he has sought to understand the culture and systems of community and follow processes that strengthen these in order to reach measurable positive outcomes.
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Associates

Deirdre M. Danahar, M.S.W., M.P.H., L.I.C.S.W.
Deirdre Danahar, M.S.W., M.P.H., L.I.C.S.W. provides technical assistance and coaching to States across the US. Her professional interests and 19 plus years of experience include development of integrated systems of care, sustainability, systems change, outcomes based planning, strategic planning, multidisciplinary team development, under-resourced communities, high-risk adolescents and families affected by HIV Disease. She has worked at local, state, and regional public health levels. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and her Masters degrees in Social Work and Public Health from Tulane University.

Elaine Dowdy Melvin, M.P.H.

Elaine Dowdy Melvin has more than thirty years in human services. She is currently Deputy Director for Training and Technical Assistance with the Southeast Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies. The primary mission of the CAPT is to bring research to practice by assisting States and Jurisdictions and community-based organizations as they identify and implement prevention programs, practices and policies that have been proven to work. She has served as Director of Prevention Programs for the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. She was Director for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Fighting Back Project in Columbia, South Carolina. Fighting Back brought together partnerships and cooperation toward substance abuse prevention among City of Columbia leaders, human service agencies, community and civic organizations. She has also worked as an Education Program Consultant for the South Carolina Department of Education and as a Project Developer for the South Carolina Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Ms. Melvin has been a consultant/grant reviewer for numerous agencies including: the US Department of Education; the US Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention; and the US Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice Prevention and Delinquency.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina and her Masters degree in Public Health from The University of South Carolina.

Diane Eager, M.A.

Diane is a Prevention Specialist in West Central Illinois.   She has provided technical assistance, using Applied Pathways, with local substance abuse prevention coalitions.  Her hands on work with various groups has enabled her to have an intimate knowledge of practical needs and problems surrounding community mobilization in communities.  Ms. Eager is interested in helping sectors find ways to synthesize efforts, so each will benefit.

Terry Langston,  MA, ABD

Terry Langston is a consultant and administrator who provides technical assistance and coaching to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, grassroots community organizations, and foundations.  His professional interests and 18 plus years of experience include advocacy for children, youth and families, strengthening foundation grant making processes, systems change, strategic and outcomes based planning, cultural competency, resource development (fundraising and endowment development), and developing programs and services to serve high-risk adolescents and families affected by substance abuse issues. He has also worked at the local, state, and regional levels in promoting youth entrepreneurship, small business development, substance abuse prevention policies, and after school programs.  He has also served as a policy consultant for the Ministry of Social Services in the Central American country of Belize and in Jamaica where he co-founded a community based leadership program for community leaders. He earned his Bachelor of Arts  and Masters of Arts in social relations, community and family service from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan and is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Public Affairs and Administration at Western Michigan University.

Nora Luna,MA

Nora Luna is currently a Project Manger for CSAP’s Western CAPT at the University of Nevada Reno. She served as the Associate Director of the U.S. – Mexico Border Communities Alliance, has over ten years of substance abuse prevention experience, and is a Certified Prevention Specialist. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice and a Master of Education degree in educational psychology. She is bilingual (English and Spanish). During her previous position at the YMCA of Southern Nevada, Ms. Luna implemented and supervised staff that implemented several substance abuse prevention programs.

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