COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Steven M.S. Halley
LSCSW – Co-founder & Co-Director (Ext. 101)
Steven M.S. Halley, LSCSW, is the co-founder of Halley Counseling Services, P.A. and co-director of the Family Peace Initiative (FPI). He has been visionary in the development of a trauma-focused approach for intervening with those who batter. He is nationally recognized for his expertise in using a trauma-focused approach to intervene with those who batter, and in training others in this approach. His development of the “River of Cruelty” model that describes how cruelty is passed from person to person and generation to generation has been groundbreaking in the field. He is the longest sitting member on the Kansas Governor’s Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board.
Having received a bachelor degree in history, and master degrees in both outdoor administration and social work, Halley focused his career on working with individuals and families. For the past 30 years Halley has worked as a wilderness counselor, probation officer, therapist, and battering intervention provider. Along with his wife, Dorthy, he has authored curricula for working with those who batter, justice-involved women, and justice-involved youth. They have also authored The River of Cruelty, and Halley’s Alley: Commentaries on marriage, family, healthy relationships, parenting, loss, grief, trauma, and domestic violence. Steve writes a monthly blog to assist professionals working with those who batter. It can be accessed through www.familypeaceinitiative.com Steve is an avid golfer and songwriter.
Dorthy Stucky Halley
LMSW, Co-Founder & Co-Director (Ext. 102)
Dorthy Stucky Halley, LMSW, is co-founder of Halley Counseling Services, P.A., and co-director of the Family Peace Initiative Program. Dorthy served as the director of the Victim Services Division of the Kansas Office of the Attorney General (2007-2020). In that role, Dorthy provided leadership for the state in its responses to both human trafficking and domestic violence. In 2010, Dorthy coordinated the development of the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Advisory Board in Kansas, serving in its leadership until her retirement.
Dorthy’s development of a motivation typology for those who batter has opened the door to a new understanding for judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, advocates, battering intervention providers, and others in the domestic violence field. She led the state efforts to develop standards and certify battering intervention programs throughout Kansas. She has served as an expert witness in domestic violence cases for the past 31 years.
Dorthy has served victims in various capacities since 1986. She was the Executive Director of Safehouse, Inc. for over a decade, and previously served as a Crime Victim Compensation Board member. She was the Practicum Director and Assistant Professor at Pittsburg State University in the Social Work Program from 1997 to 2007. She is the past president of the Kansas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (KNASW), the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV), and the Kansas Organization for Victim Assistance (KOVA). She also served as a consultant for the Kansas Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board (KDVFRB).
Dorthy received the Outstanding Victim Advocate of the Year Award by KCSDV (1996). She was the first recipient of the Dorthy Halley Lifetime Service Award by the Office of Attorney General Derek Schmidt (2020), and received the Exemplary Service to Children and Families Award by the Kansas Children’s Service League (2020).
Dorthy continues her work as an author and presenter, along with her husband, Steve Halley. She has provided international and domestic presentations to more than 30,000 advocates, criminal justice professionals, and others. She serves as a delegate and presenter to the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women for the International Public Policy Institute. In addition to her work, Dorthy loves water skiing, traveling, and spending time with family.
Assistant Director (Ext. 104)
Tish holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s of social work, and has focused her career on working to help people heal from the impact of the trauma they have experienced. Across the past 10 years, Tish has worked with justice-involved youth and adults, as a juvenile corrections officer, managed Greenbush Alternative Education Center working with those on probation and parole, and served as the employment specialist of an ankle monitoring program for offenders on parole. Tish lives in Topeka with her amazing husband and is a proud mother of five children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, eating good food, and having good conversation while sitting around the fire pit.
Director of Training (Ext. 103)
Audrey Cress is an energetic speaker, dedicated to creating shared spaces of deep learning and connection. She has served as a victim advocate for the past twenty years and is currently the Director of Training for the Family Peace Initiative. Audrey also teaches in the master’s program at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. Previously, she spent ten years leading one of the largest corrections-based victim services divisions in the country, overseeing the Kansas Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services direct victim services, restorative justice programming, and batterer intervention programming. Prior to joining KDOC, Audrey spent ten years working in domestic violence prevention and intervention, as a Police Response Advocate, Hotline Advocate, Court Advocate, Education & Prevention Advocate, and a Certified Batterer Intervention Program Facilitator. She has her master’s degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis and her bachelor’s degree in Family Studies and Human Services from Kansas State University.
Janay Kent
Director of Operations (Ext. 113)
Janay is the Director of Operations at the Family Peace Initiative. Janay began as an intern in 2010 while she was working on her undergraduate degree. She holds a Bachelor's of Science in Human Services and a law degree (Juris Doctorate) from Washburn University. Outside of the Family Peace Initiative, Janay owns a law firm and is a practicing attorney licensed in Kansas and Arizona.
Cheryl Hishmeh
Office Manager (Ext. 107)
Cheryl has a heart for service and robust experience in systems, analysis, and organization. This combination of warmth and detail-oriented ability makes her the perfect office manager for the Family Peace Initiative. She serves FPI clients, partners, and staff, ensuring they have the information, resources, and support needed to succeed. Cheryl is passionate about connecting clients to this programming and helping them in their relationships and future success.
Ida Aguirre
Facilitator, Assessor (Ext. 106)
Ida is passionate about working with victims, perpetrators, and survivors of domestic violence, because violence is a cycle we can break. Helping even one person to make a difference and experience change makes the work well worth it. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Ida has worked in DV for over 15 years, 9 of which she has worked with BIP program offenders. She serves as a facilitator and assessor for FPI in both Spanish and English groups. Ida enjoys spending time with her sweetheart (whom she met in elementary school), her three grown children, making all forms of art, and watching NFL – go Washington!
Teresa Bailey (Ext. 100)
Receptionist
Teresa holds a Bachelor of Business Management Degree, and worked at a utility company for more than 35 years. As her retirement from the utility company neared, she knew she wanted a part time position where she could learn something new and make a difference. That marked the beginning of her time as part of the FPI family. She currently serves as a receptionist at Family Peace Initiative and strives to assist participants and staff with the support they need. Teresa is proud to serve at an organization that is helping people in the community in a way she had not previously anticipated.
Pat Acosta
More info coming soon!
Michelle Alt, BSW
Facilitator, Assessor
Michelle has multiple years experience working with victims of domestic and sexual violence. She served as the coordinator for a Police Response Advocacy program where volunteer advocates responded to the scene with law enforcement to offer services and support. Michelle has worked with justice involved youth and their families for 15+ years. She also served as the Battering Intervention Program Coordinator at the Office of the Attorney General for 1+ years. Michelle currently facilitates groups, provides assessments, and conducts orientations for the FPI Pittsburg group. Michelle enjoys being outside and active, attending sporting events, and playing pickleball in her spare time.
Allison Basinger
Facilitator, Trainer
Allison Basinger is passionate about creating a world free of violence. Her entire career has been dedicated to this purpose. From teaching historically underserved students in middle school, to creating and implementing two prevention education theatre programs, “The Outrage” and “Connecting the Dots. . .” to writing three prevention education curricula including, “No More Bullying!,” a primary prevention education program for elementary students. Allison’s educator mind and empathetic heart are always on the look-out for the most creative ways to effectively educate folks. Enter FPI! Allison officially joined the FPI staff as a co-Facilitator for BIP groups and assists with training professionals. She couldn’t be more thrilled to be working alongside the Amazing FPI Team!!
Aneta Bodkin
Facilitator
With a BS in Psychology from ESU, an MS in Student Personnel from ESU, and an MSW from Washburn, Aneta has a long history of working with domestic violence and sexual assault victims and survivors. She began work with FPI in 2013 gaining training and experience to see the larger picture of Domestic Violence as well as witness how participants learn coping skills to become healthier individuals, husbands, and parents. Aneta is a Kansas native with 3 grown children. She loves to garden, read and kayak.
Camri Burke, BSW
Facilitator
Camri holds a Bachelor's of Social Work and has focused her career on helping her clients find their purpose. She is fulfilled by helping them be able to hold space for more meaningful relationships as they navigate through life. Over the past five years, Camri has worked with women of all ages to help empower themselves through mental and physical wellness. Camri lives in Lawrence with her two amazing children. In her free time she enjoys working out, spending time with her family, and trying new recipes with her daughter.
Cam Cameron, MSW
Facilitator
Cam believes that building healthy relationships is one of the most difficult and rewarding things each of us can do. They hold an MSW from the University of Kansas and have multiple years experience working with DV and SA victims and survivors through the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment. Cam is committed to helping people understand the complexities of relationships, heal from past harm, and find better ways to navigate relationships in the future. They are passionate about strengthening and affirming healing in queer communities. Cam’s interests include DIY projects, truck stuff, and making and playing music.
Christie Dobson
More info coming soon!
Jill Foster
More info coming soon!
Max Halley
Facilitator, Orientation Director (Ext. 105)
Max has dedicated much of his past four years to learning the most effective ways to help those who batter make transformational change. In addition to his current formal education, Max has repeatedly taken all three of the Family Peace Initiative facilitator trainings multiple times, the Office of the Attorney General assessment and victim contact trainings, attended the BISC-MI conference, taken the Allies in Change training from Chris Huffine, as well as many other trainings. He became a volunteer for the Kansas Dept. of Corrections, observing and learning from experts in the field. He currently is providing virtually all of the Orientations for the Family Peace Initiative, and works as lead and co-facilitator of various groups. In his spare time, Max is likely to be found on a golf course, rain or shine.
Hannah Hansen
Facilitator
Hannah’s passion for helping justice-involved youth in the Topeka community has shown in many different roles over the past 10+ years. Hannah graduated from Ottawa University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s in Human Services, emphasis in Children and Families, and a Minor in Ethnic Studies. Hannah has worked with adolescents in group home/facility settings, the community setting working with both prevention/high-risk adolescents, adolescents on probations, and runaway/homeless adolescents. She has also worked with adolescents in school-based programs focusing on mental health and trauma-informed care. Hannah assisted in the FPI youth initiative program at KJCC and officially joined the FPI staff in May 2023 as a co-facilitator for the youth groups at Community Corrections and JDC. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her son, riding bikes on the Shunga Trail, and being around music in any way possible.
Brian Heiman
Facilitator
Brian began working in corrections in 2001, initially working inside correctional facilities. He then moved to parole and probation, working as a case manger and group facilitator for MRT, employment readiness, mental health, and substance abuse groups. As part of that work, Brian moved into the battering intervention field in 2006 and became certified in several different curriculums, before attending his First FPI Training in 2012. Brian has robust experience in assessments and BIP groups inside the correctional facility and with clients on parole and probation for the State of Kansas victim service unit.
James Encinas
Spanish Program Facilitator & Trainer
Reverend James Encinas is a parent educator, child abuse and domestic violence service provider, activist, author, actor, and public speaker. He's a consultant and trainer for the Colorado Village Collaborative and Converge Denver, Brave Creatives. In addition, he currently serves as Spanish Program Facilitator and Trainer for FPI. He is a Fellow of the first class of the Aspen Teacher Leaders Fellowship and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. James graduated from Saint Josephs University in Philadelphia PA with a dual major BS in Sociology and International Relations. He enjoys cooking, cultivating his garden, outdoor sports and being with nature.
Taylor Jones
Facilitator
Taylor has a Bachelor's in Psychology from Ottawa University. She has served her community through time with Americorps before working at The Willow Domestic Violence Center, serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking through its emergency shelter. As the Director of Community Services, she oversaw most community-based programs including Court Advocacy, Rural Advocacy, Work Program (DCF) support, and peer support in the communities of Douglas, Franklin and Jefferson Counties. Along her journey through advocacy, she found her niche in trauma-informed support group facilitation for victim/survivors through The Family Peace Initiatve’s Art of Facilitation. From there, she found a new passion for trauma-informed intervention services for those who cause harm and took a group facilitation position at Satori Counseling Services in effort to bridge many gaps in services for folks in the community. This work led to Taylor landing an offer from the University of Kansas to be a prevention coordinator with its Sexual Assault Prevention & Education Center. There, she educates students on gender-based violence, power-based violence, prevention as leadership, accountability, and consent. Taylor is the former Chair to the 4th Judicial District Community Corrections Advisory Board and a current member of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for Douglas County KS. She previously served on the Douglas County Resiliency Coalition, Douglas County Decriminalizing Poverty Work Group, and Douglas County Coordinated Entry group. You can find Taylor dancing or with her 3 dogs in her free time!
Kathryn (Kat) Keyes, LMSW
Facilitator, Trainer, Marketing Coordinator
Kat blends her experience in both marketing and social work to serve the Family Peace Initiative in multiple capacities. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, International Business, and Marketing, as well as a Master’s in Social work. She’s passionate about advocacy, education, and prevention and works to that end helping social service organizations communicate at a statewide and national level with their audiences to reach as many people as possible. Kat serves as a facilitator in multiple men's and women's groups groups at FPI. She wants to help people understand their own stories and embrace them with acceptance so they can live more present, healthy, meaningful lives. She lives in Lawrence, KS with her precocious schnauzers and in her spare time loves reading, textile arts, yoga, and traveling.
Pat Klecker
Assessor
More info coming soon!
Aeron Muckala
Facilitator
Aeron earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with emphases in Corrections and Law Enforcement from Bemidji State University in 2009. He began his career in community corrections with the Minnesota Department of Corrections in 2010, and in 2012 began his focus on domestic violence intervention as a part of the Beltrami County Domestic Violence Court. In addition to traditional probation services, this new role included the opportunity to facilitate domestic violence intervention groups. Aeron completed all three levels of FPI training in 2019 and has been facilitating groups for justice involved men and women using the FPI approach ever since. Outside of work, Aeron enjoys spending time with his daughters, fishing (especially ice fishing!), and just being outdoors in beautiful northern Minnesota.
Adrianne Nuñez
Facilitator
Adrianne has worked in domestic violence since 2015, starting as a shelter advocate and then moving to court advocacy, community-based case management, and education and prevention. She is currently the Director of Communications at the Willow Domestic Violence Center in Lawrence, KS. Originally from Lawrence, she graduated with degrees in Political Science and Latin American Studies from KU. She was involved in the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (now known as the Latin American Student Union) and her Latina-based, multicultural sorority, Sigma Lambda Gamma. Her involvement in these organizations led her to find her passion for non-profit work. Adrianne was introduced to the Family Peace Initiative through their Art of Facilitation training in 2018. After completing all three levels, she thanked Steve for saving her marriage. Whether it was in ten days or ten years, she knew her marriage would not have lasted if she were to continue to let her past trauma affect the way she treated her husband. Since then, she has been working in Douglas, Franklin, And Jefferson Counties to help educate community members about healthy relationships, boundaries, and healing. She is currently a co-facilitator for the Tuesday evening Lawrence BIP class. Adrianne enjoys being with her family and adorable dog in her free time while they look for frogs and cool bugs on their tiny homestead.
Teresa Oliver
Assessor
Teresa is credentialed as a Licensed Addictions Counselor and works full-time as an Advocate at SOS, Inc. in Lyndon as an Osage County Advocate. Through her advocacy work, she found the Family Peace Initiative and also serves as a part-time assessor for their battering intervention programs. She is driven to do this work because she believes in possibilities and people. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her family.
Diana Peak, LAC
Assessor, Facilitator
Since 2008, Diana has worked in the helping profession. She went back to school to obtain her Associates Degree and certification as a Licensed Addictions Counselor. For more than 10 years she has worked in the Kansas Department of Corrections Field Services as a Parole Officer, as well as a Program Provider Supervisor for the last 6 years. Before her work in parole she served at the Addiction Treatment Center for 17 years as a Mental Health Tech, Administrative Assistant, and Outpatient Substance Counselor. Through her work in parole she saw a need to provide assessments and facilitation for BIP programs. She currently serves FPI’s Pittsburg programming by providing assessments, orientations, and facilitating groups. Diana is passionate about this work and is moved by seeing the internal changes in the people she serves, as well as using these skills personally. Outside of work she loves spending time with her wonderfully supportive husband of over 20 years, five grown children, three grandchildren, and loves to crochet and take road trips.
Mia Petty, MSW, LAC
Assessor
Mia is dedicated to the process of healing, reconnection, and embracing life in all moments. With a Bachelor's in Counseling with a Concentration in Addiction, Mia has been working at Higher Ground in Wichita, KS, for the past five years, specifically in group facilitation with adolescents. Higher Ground enjoys great collaboration and camaraderie with Family Peace Initiative. Through this excellent agency relationship, Mia joined the Family Peace Initiative team in September 2022 while still working full-time at Higher Ground. Mia is achieving a Master's Degree in Social Work, is currently in the concentration year of practicum at Fresenius Dialysis Clinic, and will graduate in December 2023. In her spare time (when is that? Lol), Mia enjoys spending time in Oklahoma, rock dot painting, and being in the company of meaningful people and animals.
Andy Schafer
Facilitator
Andy’s passion for and commitment to public service began while he was employed with the City of Topeka and these have only deepened through his work at the State Library of Kansas. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Washburn University and Master of Library Science from Emporia State University. Andy is passionate about helping FPI participants find their way out of cycles of cruelty and into healthy behaviors. He is a proud father to two gifted and kind daughters. In his spare time, Andy loves playing the piano and guitar and reading to and with his daughters.
Hope Thompson
Facilitator
Hope received her Bachelor in Science degree with a major in psychology from Missouri Western State University in 2009. She began working as a Teen Support Specialist in the Growing Resilient Independent Teens (GRIT) Program at the YWCA in St. Joseph, MO, in 2021, assessing and mentoring youth ages 12-19. Her ability to connect with youth and their families became her "trademark". She became adept at linking these youth and families with helpful resources. She next became a case manager for Youth Alliance, providing support to youth who had dropped out of high school, and assisting them in obtaining their HISET to enable them to succeed in achieving their career goals. Hope joined the FPI team as a Youth Group Facilitator in 2023, and is assisting in the development of the FPI response to justice-involved youth.
Amanda Tucker
Facilitator
Amanda currently works as a Sexual Violence Services Program Coordinator with the Department of Health and Environmental Control. Prior to that she worked in the SC Department of Corrections at Turbeville Correctional Institution in the Addictions Treatment Unit working with Youthful Offenders. In her tenure there, Amada served as the Lead Counselor in the Addictions Treatment Unit and then Program Coordinator responsible for developing and implementing programs for the Turbeville adult offender population. Following that she moved to the Victim Services Division in the Department of Corrections in 2021, where she began as a Program Coordinator for evidenced based programs overseeing program fidelity and helping to train other staff. Amanda also has experience in curriculum development, leading the development of the Violence Prevention program curriculum the facility implemented in 2023. Lastly, she served as Project Director of the Justice Assistance Grant allowing the facility to implement the Domestic VIolence Intervention Program. Working with offenders who have a history of domestic violence holds a special place in Amanda’s heart. She has been fortunate to witness true growth and vulnerability through this work and strives to help others in their time of need.
Emily Rodriguez
Assessor
More info coming soon!
Carol Weisenberger, LMSW (Ext. 109)
Facilitator, Assessor
After earning a BA in Psychology, Carol worked primarily with computers and as a trainer. Shortly before retiring, she became a crisis line and hospital volunteer with MOCSA. This drew her back to her first love (trauma-focused care), and she completed an MSW at KU Edwards. While interning at the Kansas Department of Corrections, she co-facilitated portions of FPI’s BIP curriculum and became passionate about its ability to change lives. She is grateful to now be part of the FPI family! Carol has two grown children. Along with her husband, she enjoys traveling and volunteering. If she could live anywhere, it would be in a bookstore!