Welcome to this episode of Prevention: A Paradigm Shift - Empowerment Through Education. Today, we’re focusing on the transformative role of education in preventing domestic violence within our communities and beyond. We’ will explore how knowledge and awareness empower individuals to recognize red flags, challenge harmful norms, and find pathways to safety and support. Join us as we equip you—and those you serve—with the tools to shift mindsets, build resilience, and create lasting, positive change.

Together, we’re redefining prevention through the lens of education, empowerment and hope.

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

Dr. Sara Brammer began working as an overnight victim's advocate in the field of family violence in 1994. She continued working as a therapist for victims and offenders as she completed her Master and Doctoral Degrees in Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri. While in her doctoral program, her research and dissertation focused on love relationships and batterer intervention treatment. She is currently the Vice President of Family Violence Services at Synergy Services where she has worked for 23 years. She supervises the Domestic Violence Center, the Children’s Center, the Domestic Violence Housing Program, the Batterer Intervention Program, and outpatient domestic violence clinical services in this capacity. She provides frequent training on Domestic Violence and the intersection between Domestic Violence, Child Abuse and trauma. She has also served on a variety of local, state, and national committees related to domestic violence and child abuse service provisions. Her research interests continue to focus on love relationships, batterer intervention and victim services.

Dr. Brammer has successfully led the agency through two flawless COA re-accreditations and is a lead peer reviewer for other agencies. Sara was commissioned by the Missouri Supreme Court for best practices committees on Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking. She has received technical assistance from FUTURES and The Center for Justice Innovations for state-wide offender intervention implementation. Additional achievements include partnering with the Domestic Violence Court to offer exclusive offender intervention services, guest editing for the Journal of Child and Family Studies and collaborating with Yale University to implement the Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention Program (CFTSI). Sara also represents Missouri on the National BIP Network and serves on the Advisory Board for the University of Missouri’s Community Counseling and Assessment Services Center.

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

For information about Synergy Services visit https://www.synergyservices.org

Domestic Violence 101: Empowerment Through Education is a podcast episode designed to shed light on the often-overlooked realities of domestic violence. Join Hope House CEO MaryAnne Metheny and Director of Community Engagement Tina Johnson as they dive deep into critical topics like identifying early warning signs, breaking free from the cycle of abuse, and providing resources for both victims and allies.

By educating listeners on the dynamics of domestic violence, we aim to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools to recognize, prevent, and take action against abuse.

Whether you're a survivor, a concerned friend, or someone who wants to better understand domestic violence, this podcast offers valuable insights, and expert advice.

Join us as we break the silence, educate, and empower, one episode at a time.

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

Nancy McCormick has been in private practice at Unity since October 2013. Before joining Unity, she accumulated 17 years of experience in domestic violence, working at Hope House and Rose Brooks. Additionally, she spent 5 years facilitating contract groups for individuals with substance use disorders and for family members of those affected by these disorders.

Nancy firmly believes in the power of collaboration to address life’s challenges. She understands that taking the first step—finding a counselor and making the initial call—can be the hardest part of the journey. She commends those who reach out for support and help.

With many years of experience, Nancy has dedicated herself to assisting people in coping with the profound effects of addiction, both for the individuals struggling with the disease and for their families and loved ones. She has also devoted much of her career to supporting survivors of domestic violence.

Nancy's goal is to build on her clients' strengths and empower them to overcome barriers, enabling them to achieve their life goals. She likens creating a successful life to assembling a jigsaw puzzle—together, they find the right pieces to fit together to create a complete and fulfilling life.

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

Meg Nelson holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and is credentialed with the State of Missouri as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Clinical Supervisor. Employed with Hope House since 2022, Meg brings extensive experience working with children, adults, and families, with a specialization in trauma, substance use, and severe and persistent mental illness. She is thoroughly trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Crisis Prevention/De-Escalation, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

Dr Bridget McCandless is a passionate about her community! She started her career serving medically under resourced families living in Eastern Jackson County. As an internist, her career and volunteer efforts focused on providing high quality, evidence-based, culturally competent care to adults without insurance. Earning her MBA allowed her to expand efforts to affect durable public policy change at local and state levels. She is fortunate to have been part of the Health Forward Foundation in its early years and later as CEO, to use public funds and advocacy to strengthen communities in the greater metropolitan KC area. She now turn her efforts as an At-Large City Council member to support the great City of Independence. She truly believe in the vision of Independence “to remain a vibrant, historic, full-service community that celebrates its unique multi-cultural heritage and respects the environment while fostering a stable, diversified economy.” Come celebrate the city of Independence, Missouri!

https://www.hopehouse.net/

Dr. Dowd graduated from Rockhurst University with her bachelors of science degree in mathematics. She then received her doctor of chiropractic from Cleveland Chiropractic University in Overland Park, KS. She has focused intensively for the past several years specializing in spinal decompression. She compliments this with a passion for helping people understand what causes their pain and helps them have power over this. She firmly believes that PAIN is never random. There is always an answer.

https://grainvalleychiro.com/new-home/

https://www.instagram.com/grainvalleychiro/

Illuminating Hope, a podcast of Hope House brings you Voices of Justice, a series of podcasts where law enforcement officials, judges, and advocates come together to unravel the entangled web of domestic violence. Join us as we dive into the complex challenges faced by those on the front lines of justice, exploring real-life stories, legal nuances, and the human side of these cases. In each episode, our guests share their experiences, insights, and perspectives, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of domestic violence. Tune in for a compelling journey into the criminal justice system, where compassion meets the pursuit of truth, and where professionals strive to bring justice to those affected by the cycle of abuse.

Chief Stacey Graves, a lifelong Kansas Citian, began her career at KCPD in 1997 as a civilian records clerk. After joining the police academy in December of 1997, she held multiple assignments as a police officer including Central Patrol Division, East Patrol Division, the Drug Enforcement Unit and the Career Criminal Section. Graves was promoted to Sergeant in 2007. During her tenure as a Sergeant, she was assigned to Patrol, the Media Unit as a Public Information Officer and she was an Operations Sergeant in the Chief’s Office serving under Chief Darryl Forté. Promoted to Captain in 2014, Graves was assigned to Internal Affairs, returned to the Media Unit and Patrol. In 2018, she was promoted to Major. As Major, Graves was the Commander of Shoal Creek Division, Human Resources and served as the Executive Officer in the Patrol Bureau Office.

On December 15, 2022, twenty-five years after starting the police academy, Graves was selected to be the chief. At 48 years of age, Graves became the 48th Police Chief in KCPD’s 148-year history, and also became the first woman to serve as permanent chief.

Graves obtained her Associates Degree from Penn Valley. Graves went on to earn a B.A. in Administration of Justice from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and an Executive Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Leadership from Benedictine College.

We are also joined by Operations Sergeant Maurice Oatis of the Kansas City Police Department. The mission of the KCPD is to protect and serve with professionalism, honor and integrity.