Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coalition

Dawn Shepler is the Executive Director of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coalition.  Dawn’s passion is being an advocate that influences public policy, improves individual and community health, and helps reduce health disparities.  She has spent 30 years in law enforcement as a communication specialist and specialized mental health parole officer.  Dawn has been active with assisting those in corrections and law enforcement with peer support and wellness.  She has been awarded by NAMI and the Kansas Department of Corrections for being a part of implementing Crisis Intervention Training to Sedgwick County.  The CIT board has successfully trained and certified over 500 local law enforcement officers, corrections officers, EMS and dispatchers as CIT Officers.   Dawn holds a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice with focus on sociology from Wichita State University.  She grew up in a small town in Cowley County and enjoys her time being outside and enjoying nature.  She also likes to bake for others and appreciates her time with her son, Cale.