Meet out Project Lead, Sarah Grunden! She graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2022 with a Master's in public health. Sarah has always been passionate about community health and improving health outcomes. She is excited to have the opportunity to help the population make healthier choices to reach their fullest potential. In her free time, Sarah enjoys taking walks with her husband and their Golden Retriever, Finley.
Meet Prevention Specialist, Erika! Erika graduated from Illinois State University in 2020, where she studied recreation and leisure management, along with community health promotion. She also received a minor in dance. Erika has always had a passion for moving her body, advocating for others, and an appreciation for learning about other cultures, which inspired her to enter the field of community health. Being able to advocate for adolescent well-being is what made her want to join the prevention team. When Erika isn’t working, you can find her at yoga, on the soccer field, in the dance studio, or on a hike. Erika is excited to utilize her creativity to find ways to connect with her communities and to promote the Prescription Playbook to parents, coaches, trainers, and adolescents.
Meet our Digital Marketing Specialist! Allison graduated from DePaul University in Chicago with a major of Graphic Design. She excited to be on the team to spread positive messaging to make a difference on the youth and their communities. Outside of work she loves running, photography, and trying new things.
Marissa Thompson is a Prevention Specialist working within communities through the Illinois Human Performance Project (IL HPP) and the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, with an emphasis in Health Promotion. Marissa is passionate about empowering communities through education and supporting informed, healthy decision-making. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, and spending time with her dog and two cats.
Meet our Prevention Specialist, Libby Baird! She graduated from The University of Dayton with a degree in Religious Studies. She previously worked in Residence Life as a Resident Director at Loyola University Chicago for four years. Libby is passionate about the mental health and safety of the emerging adult age group. She is excited to create new connections and extend support in the surrounding communities. Also, Libby will always chat about her cats Phil, Olive, and Pablo!
Lucia is joining us as a Program Coordinator working with the communities in our target counties across Central and Southern Illinois. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Elementary Education and previously served students and families in her community as a Dual-Language elementary school teacher. She is excited to be working through both IL HPP and Rx Playbook to empower young people with the education, tools, and confidence they need to make healthy decisions and reach their goals. Outside of work, Lucia coaches figure skating and enjoys walking her more adventurous cat, spending time outside at local forest preserves, being active, and reading.
This work is made possible by OMNI Youth Services. Please visit their website to learn more about the variety of services they offer.
© 2026 ILHPP. All rights reserved. This was developed and funded in whole and or part, by grants from the Illinois Department of Human Services and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The views, opinions, and content of this publication are those of the authors and contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of IDHS, SAMHSA, or HHS, and should not be construed as such.
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