Donna DeStefano- Bio |
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Donna is the Founder & CEO of P.I.C.K. Awareness, (Parents In Connection for Kids Inc.) a not-for-profit 501©3 corporation.
Because of a heroin addiction with one of her daughters, Donna created www.pickawareness.com as a vehicle to help families who are struggling. |
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P.I.C.K. is a prevention, treatment and recovery resource for parents, children, professionals and the general public who are seeking information, strategies and data on substance use disorders, mental health, suicide, general wellness and much more.
Donna also writes a blog where she posts current drug trends and updated relevant information. In addition, information is posted on P.I.C.K.'s Facebook page, Pinterest and Twitter to reach as many people as possible.
Donna is a huge advocate for recovery support. Her most recent achievement is getting bill # A-5061 introduced for N.J. "Recovery Support" license Plates. This bill if passed will bring sorely needed funding for sober living and homelessness due to substance use disorders.
She has done numerous public speaking events, In Service trainings to various groups, including the N.J. R.O.I.C. (Regional Office of Intelligence Center), N.J. State Police, N.J. Forensic Bureau, N.J. ASAP (Student Assistant Counselors) and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Her presentations are on current drug trends, prevention strategies, signs and symptoms on how entire families struggle when a loved one has this disease. She has collaborated with The Partnership of Drug Free N.J., The Partnership at Drug Free kids, numerous Alliances and Coalitions statewide, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Association) and the Attorney Generals office to educate Dentists and Doctors on responsible prescribing of prescription medications.
Prior to her roll at P.I.C.K. Awareness, Donna was the Director of Community Relations for RWJ/Barnabas Health, Institute For Prevention, where she helped develop, and implement and market fee for service programs. Donna was also instrumental in helping to write, mobilize partners and execute the OORP (Opioid Overdose Recovery Program) grant that is now helping Narcan reversed individuals who have a Substance Use Disorder get treatment for opioid abuse in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in N.J.
In 2011, Donna was the Regional Coalition Project Director/ Community Development Specialist for the Prevention Coalition of Monmouth County. While there, Donna spearheaded and obtained funding for “The Prevention Works Project”. http://www.preventionworksproject.org. Knowing the importance of opening up the conversation between Pediatricians and Parents was paramount for substance abuse prevention efforts, this guide was created to offer resources and information for parents, schools, pediatrician’s offices and communities throughout New Jersey. It continues to be one of the most successful initiatives that Prevention First has.
Donna received the Excellence In Prevention Award from Prevention First and in 2010 received The Commitment to Youth Award at the Mrs. New Jersey America Pageant. She won the title of Mrs. New Jersey Globe 2014 where she promoted the W.I.N. (Woman In Need) Foundation to empower woman.
Donna has also been featured in many prevention videos, including “Moms know Best” by the Partnership of Drug Free NJ, http://www.talknownj.com and “Continue the Conversation, “Be A Face”, https://www.facebook.com/GovChrisChristie/videos/10156198736680389 by Governor Christie. She has also produced her own videos, including the 100% Proofing video for the Prevention Coalition of Monmouth County, https://youtu.be/Ud1LIIVKJ7g and has appeared on the Steve Adubato show and just recently spoke on PHL 17, In Focus T V, Philadelphia.
Some of Donna’s professional affiliations include; An appointment by Governor Christie, unanimously approved by the State Senate as a Special State Officer on the GCADA, Governor’s Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. The Stakeholder’s Communication group for Mental Health and Addiction in Trenton, Vice Chairman of the Ocean County Opiate Task Force, the CAC (Citizens Advisory Council) in Trenton, D.A.R.T. Coalition of Ocean County, PCMC (Prevention Coalition of Monmouth County), the Monmouth County Heroin Roundtable, and the Drug and Alcohol Coordinator for the Rumson- Fair Haven Community Alliance.
Donna is also certified in Adult CPR/AED/First Aid, a CCAR (Connecticut Community for Addiction) Recovery Coach, certified in Life Skills, is a member of the N.J. AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) Ocean County DART Coalitions Prescription Drug Committee, American Cancer Society's Making Strides Walk and Gala Committee, American Heart Association, Go Red , JSPRAA (Jersey Shore Public Relations & Advertising Association), is a New Jersey State Notary Public, Rutgers Certified Youth Sports Coach, Certified in “Move Today”, trained in SPF (Strategic Planning Framework) , and is a New Jersey State Licensed Realtor.
Donna loves to cook, host family holidays, build, design, crochet, and spend time with her family. Her husband Brian, 3 daughters, Jamie, Laura & Cheyenne and new grandson, Adrian are her most precious loves.
You can learn more about Donna on her LinkedIn profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-destefano-215bb224
Donna and Laura are available to speak to all groups and welcome the opportunity to share their story to empower others.
Contact Donna at ddestefano@pickawareness.com to schedule your next event.
You may also write to her:
Address: P.O. Box 74, Allenwood N.J. 08720
Donna also writes a blog where she posts current drug trends and updated relevant information. In addition, information is posted on P.I.C.K.'s Facebook page, Pinterest and Twitter to reach as many people as possible.
Donna is a huge advocate for recovery support. Her most recent achievement is getting bill # A-5061 introduced for N.J. "Recovery Support" license Plates. This bill if passed will bring sorely needed funding for sober living and homelessness due to substance use disorders.
She has done numerous public speaking events, In Service trainings to various groups, including the N.J. R.O.I.C. (Regional Office of Intelligence Center), N.J. State Police, N.J. Forensic Bureau, N.J. ASAP (Student Assistant Counselors) and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Her presentations are on current drug trends, prevention strategies, signs and symptoms on how entire families struggle when a loved one has this disease. She has collaborated with The Partnership of Drug Free N.J., The Partnership at Drug Free kids, numerous Alliances and Coalitions statewide, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Association) and the Attorney Generals office to educate Dentists and Doctors on responsible prescribing of prescription medications.
Prior to her roll at P.I.C.K. Awareness, Donna was the Director of Community Relations for RWJ/Barnabas Health, Institute For Prevention, where she helped develop, and implement and market fee for service programs. Donna was also instrumental in helping to write, mobilize partners and execute the OORP (Opioid Overdose Recovery Program) grant that is now helping Narcan reversed individuals who have a Substance Use Disorder get treatment for opioid abuse in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in N.J.
In 2011, Donna was the Regional Coalition Project Director/ Community Development Specialist for the Prevention Coalition of Monmouth County. While there, Donna spearheaded and obtained funding for “The Prevention Works Project”. http://www.preventionworksproject.org. Knowing the importance of opening up the conversation between Pediatricians and Parents was paramount for substance abuse prevention efforts, this guide was created to offer resources and information for parents, schools, pediatrician’s offices and communities throughout New Jersey. It continues to be one of the most successful initiatives that Prevention First has.
Donna received the Excellence In Prevention Award from Prevention First and in 2010 received The Commitment to Youth Award at the Mrs. New Jersey America Pageant. She won the title of Mrs. New Jersey Globe 2014 where she promoted the W.I.N. (Woman In Need) Foundation to empower woman.
Donna has also been featured in many prevention videos, including “Moms know Best” by the Partnership of Drug Free NJ, http://www.talknownj.com and “Continue the Conversation, “Be A Face”, https://www.facebook.com/GovChrisChristie/videos/10156198736680389 by Governor Christie. She has also produced her own videos, including the 100% Proofing video for the Prevention Coalition of Monmouth County, https://youtu.be/Ud1LIIVKJ7g and has appeared on the Steve Adubato show and just recently spoke on PHL 17, In Focus T V, Philadelphia.
Some of Donna’s professional affiliations include; An appointment by Governor Christie, unanimously approved by the State Senate as a Special State Officer on the GCADA, Governor’s Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. The Stakeholder’s Communication group for Mental Health and Addiction in Trenton, Vice Chairman of the Ocean County Opiate Task Force, the CAC (Citizens Advisory Council) in Trenton, D.A.R.T. Coalition of Ocean County, PCMC (Prevention Coalition of Monmouth County), the Monmouth County Heroin Roundtable, and the Drug and Alcohol Coordinator for the Rumson- Fair Haven Community Alliance.
Donna is also certified in Adult CPR/AED/First Aid, a CCAR (Connecticut Community for Addiction) Recovery Coach, certified in Life Skills, is a member of the N.J. AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) Ocean County DART Coalitions Prescription Drug Committee, American Cancer Society's Making Strides Walk and Gala Committee, American Heart Association, Go Red , JSPRAA (Jersey Shore Public Relations & Advertising Association), is a New Jersey State Notary Public, Rutgers Certified Youth Sports Coach, Certified in “Move Today”, trained in SPF (Strategic Planning Framework) , and is a New Jersey State Licensed Realtor.
Donna loves to cook, host family holidays, build, design, crochet, and spend time with her family. Her husband Brian, 3 daughters, Jamie, Laura & Cheyenne and new grandson, Adrian are her most precious loves.
You can learn more about Donna on her LinkedIn profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-destefano-215bb224
Donna and Laura are available to speak to all groups and welcome the opportunity to share their story to empower others.
Contact Donna at ddestefano@pickawareness.com to schedule your next event.
You may also write to her:
Address: P.O. Box 74, Allenwood N.J. 08720