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Building a Resilient Community

The Power of Prevention

About Us

Prevention and Resiliency Services, Inc. (PARS), is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that has provided
prevention services in Shawnee County since 1965. The organization has undergone several name changes as the prevention industry has evolved. When PARS was initially incorporated, it was known as the Topeka Council on Alcoholism and then updated to National Council on Alcoholism, Kansas. The agency’s original focus was on increasing the understanding of alcoholism, its nature, and its treatment and decreasing the harms and incidence of alcoholism. In 1993 the name was changed to Shawnee Regional Prevention and Recovery Services to include other substances and alcohol. The name was changed one last time to Prevention and Resiliency Services Inc, also known as PARS, in 2020.

As issues have changed and knowledge has evolved, PARS has continually responded to emerging trends, research on the prevention of addiction, and how programs, practices, and policies influence individuals and the environment in which they live. Our programs and activities recognize that the individual, family, school, and community domains are interconnected, influencing substance use, school dropouts, violence, suicide, teen pregnancy, and other problem behaviors. PARS has a strong foundation of community, neighborhood, and school partnerships and is committed to evidence-based programming that educates, engages, and empowers our community to reduce substance use and create a more resilient community.

Key Values

  • Evidence-based and researched-based strategies are effective in reducing substance abuse and crime.
  • Community members play an essential role in preventing crime – it takes a community to impact change.
  • We must be current with substance abuse and behavioral health trends and learn from our work with community members.
  • To affect change within our community, we must partner with diverse stakeholders.
  • We must employ multiple strategies to reach our target audience; this is critical to our work.
  • Our community is defined by the people we serve.

Meet The Team

Mandy Czechanski

Executive Director

mczechanski@parstopeka.org

Mandy Czechanski, Executive Director

Mandy is a graduate of Washburn University with a degree in elementary education and a master's degree in educational administration. She joined the Prevention and Resiliency Services Team in May of 2021. As executive director, she oversees the organization's day-to-day operations, builds collaborative relationships with other community agencies, and helps guide the strategic planning for PARS's future, among numerous other tasks.

Before joining the PARS team, Mandy served as Vice President of Operations at Topeka's Boys & Girls Clubs. She also devoted 19 years of her career to the public school system, first as a teacher, then as a building principal. Joining the PARS team has allowed her to marry her love of education with her desire to impact her hometown through work in prevention.

Outside of work, Mandy enjoys attending local theater events, learning new things, and going to boot camp to keep her body and mind nourished!

About Mandy

Lynn Smith

Community Prevention Consultant

lsmith@parstopeka.org

Lynn Smith, Community Prevention Consultant

Lynn is a graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in kinesiology. Lynn joined the Prevention Services Department at PARS in June 2012 as a Community Prevention Consultant. In this role, Lynn gives school and community presentations addressing substance abuse and prevention education.

Before joining the Prevention Services Department, Lynn spent six years with Safe Streets (another program of PARS). At Safe Streets, Lynn was the Youth Development Coordinator and Community Mobilizer.

Lynn's interest in Prevention work stems from wanting youth to succeed.

In addition, Lynn understands firsthand how using substances can negatively impact one's life, so Lynn feels it's important to educate today's youth about the dangers of using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Outside of work, Lynn enjoys coaching sports and has done this for the past 20 years.

About Lynn

Sarah Coats

Substance Abuse Counselor

scoats@parstopeka.org

Sarah Coats, Substance Abuse Counselor

Sarah Coats earned her bachelor's of social work in 2009 and a master's of social work in 2012. She is a proud graduate of Topeka High School and Washburn University.

Sarah has devoted her life to helping vulnerable and at-risk populations in our community. Sarah's background is richly diverse, bringing advanced knowledge in many fields, including domestic violence, human trafficking, the foster-care system, and working with the aging population.

Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children in her free time. She loves to hike, read, and crochet. In addition, she's an avid Kansas Jayhawks fan.

About Sarah

Eric Tweedy

Communications Specialist

etweedy@parstopeka.org

Eric Tweedy, Communications Specialist

Eric joined the Prevention and Resiliency Services Team in April of 2022. As the communications specialist, he oversees all the organization's social media and website content.

Eric regularly attends the Topeka Business Network and Greater Topeka Partnership meetings. In addition, he networks with local businesses and organizations daily.

Sober since 2013, Eric has been driven, compassionate, and dedicated to helping others better themselves.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his husband and their two dogs, volunteering with Lions Club, and watching Star Trek.

About Eric

Haley Gil

Community Prevention Youth Coordinator

hgil@parstopeka.org

Haley Gil, Community Prevention Youth Coordinator

Haley Gil earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Kansas State University in 2005 and a master's degree in adaptive special education in 2009. She joined the PARS team in July 2022.

Haley worked as a special education teacher for 13 years in Topeka Public Schools and Shawnee Heights Unified School District. She is passionate about working with youth and empowering them with the tools and skills needed to be their best version.

In her free time, she loves to spend time with her husband, Willow, their miniature dachshund, and her extended family. In addition, she enjoys KSU sporting events, traveling, and listening to live music.

About Haley

Meet The Board

Deb Grunst

President

Tracey Stratton

Vice-President
Advisors Excel

Sandie Bayless

Secretary
Evergy

Neb Cabrilo

Treasurer
CoreFirst Bank & Trust

Mike Brozek

Blesk Consulting LLC

Zachary Thompson

Mainstreet Credit Union

Nicholas Casarona

Heartland Regional Alcohol and Drug Assessment Center

Navise Clark

Midland Care

Brynn Mroz

Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program

Lt. Matt Danielson

Topeka Police Department

SFC Angel Romero

Stormont

Aaron A Starr

Edward Jones