Jerry Blackburn, M.Ed., SUDP
Welcome, and first let me thank you for your efforts in supporting our communities with regards to behavioral health and wellness.
In addition to recently joining Seattle University as an adjunct faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, I currently work as the Program Director for the Empower Youth Network. I am a graduate of the University of Washington with a Master of Education and have been a certified Substance Use Disorder Professional since 1999. Most recently, I served as the Executive Director for the Influence the Choice community prevention coalition as well as an adjunct faculty member in the recently sunsetted Substance Use Disorder Counseling Education Program at Bellevue College.
I have worked in the field of substance use disorder care for over twenty years in roles which include direct adult and adolescent clinical services, intervention/prevention specialist, clinical director/program manager in both outpatient and adolescent residential treatment programs, as well as research and systems related positions.
In my community, I have served as a founding board member for The Garage- The Issaquah Teen Café, a team member for ParentWiser- the PTSA Council Education Committee, a member of the Greater Issaquah Equity & Inclusion Group, as well as serving as a longtime steering committee member for the Counselor Camp- Adolescent/Young Adult Behavioral Health Conference. Recently, I have been accepted as a member of the King County Children and Youth Advisory Board (CYAB).
In 2005 I was honored by the Washington State Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse with the Richard Rivera Passionate Youth Professional Award, the Issaquah Schools Foundation presented me with the Golden Apple Award in appreciation of my dedication to the health of young people in 2017, and in 2021 I was humbled to receive the Influence the Choice Vicki Hoffman Legacy Award for my work as an advocate for preventing substance use and promoting the mental, physical, and social wellness of our youth.
Welcome, and first let me thank you for your efforts in supporting our communities with regards to behavioral health and wellness.
In addition to recently joining Seattle University as an adjunct faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, I currently work as the Program Director for the Empower Youth Network. I am a graduate of the University of Washington with a Master of Education and have been a certified Substance Use Disorder Professional since 1999. Most recently, I served as the Executive Director for the Influence the Choice community prevention coalition as well as an adjunct faculty member in the recently sunsetted Substance Use Disorder Counseling Education Program at Bellevue College.
I have worked in the field of substance use disorder care for over twenty years in roles which include direct adult and adolescent clinical services, intervention/prevention specialist, clinical director/program manager in both outpatient and adolescent residential treatment programs, as well as research and systems related positions.
In my community, I have served as a founding board member for The Garage- The Issaquah Teen Café, a team member for ParentWiser- the PTSA Council Education Committee, a member of the Greater Issaquah Equity & Inclusion Group, as well as serving as a longtime steering committee member for the Counselor Camp- Adolescent/Young Adult Behavioral Health Conference. Recently, I have been accepted as a member of the King County Children and Youth Advisory Board (CYAB).
In 2005 I was honored by the Washington State Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse with the Richard Rivera Passionate Youth Professional Award, the Issaquah Schools Foundation presented me with the Golden Apple Award in appreciation of my dedication to the health of young people in 2017, and in 2021 I was humbled to receive the Influence the Choice Vicki Hoffman Legacy Award for my work as an advocate for preventing substance use and promoting the mental, physical, and social wellness of our youth.