CAPT Joan Hunter - Director of Psychological Health, NGB

CAPT Hunter is the Director of Psychological Health for the National Guard, a Joint program that supports the mental health needs of Guard members and their families. In this capacity, she serves as principal staff and advisor to the Chief of the National Guard. CAPT Hunter has been tasked to "build" the National Guard’s psychological health program; placing a state Director of Psychological Health in every state and territory; based on the DoD Mental Health Task Force Report recommendations. In this capacity, CAPT Hunter partners with both the National Guard Bureau’s Manpower and Personnel Directorate, (J-1) as well as the Joint Surgeon’s Office; specifically on availability, accessibility, quality and effectiveness of the full spectrum of psychological health needs and services provided to Guard members and their families.

CAPT Hunter is a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Public Health Service. Before assuming this assignment, she held the position of Deputy Division Director, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Occupational Health, Division of Employee Assistance and Work-Life Programs. While at HHS, she directed policy and operations for a federal consortium network of 436 Federal agency components; serving the mental health needs of approximately 700,000 Federal employees and their families. While at FOH, CAPT Hunter created and directed the first occupational health Law Enforcement Assistance Program.

CAPT Hunter has been managing psychological health programs for over 16 years. She represented HHS, USPHS as a critical incident stress management expert to DHS, FEMA and directed the mental health support operations for deployed FEMA responders. She has also advised Federal agency Directors on best practices in workplace behavioral health management. CAPT Hunter has certificates in Advanced Critical Incident Stress Management and Federal Workplace Mediation. She has also been a Field Instructor for students at Virginia Commonwealth University and Salisbury University MSW programs.

CAPT Hunter earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from George Mason University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. CAPT Hunter has been a keynote conference speaker representing the U.S. Surgeon General and has received numerous awards for her outstanding service, including the HHS Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service.

Mr. Craig Apperson (Contractor) - DPH Lead for the Western Region

Craig is the DPH Lead for the Western Region. He was the former Director of (Name the Division) of the (Name the agency) responsible for public education in the State of Washington. His responsibilities included managing a staff of five professional school safety specialists, two support staff, and contracts with agencies including the Dept. of Health, the Washington State Military Department/Emergency Management Division, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and others involved in the multi-disciplinary effort to develop effective school safety plans and programs. He has actively promoted the use of threat assessment and management methods to address issues involving students at risk for violence to self or others. Craig manages policy issues involving public safety and violence prevention, including innovative programs dealing with suicide prevention, cyber safety, tactical mapping of the school system to support incident management, pandemic flu preparedness, and other similar issues.

Craig holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oregon, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Washington, is a nationally Certified Clinical Criminal Justice Specialist through the American Academy of Forensic Counselors, and is a Board Certified Professional Counselor through the American Psychotherapy Association.

Dr. Toby Canning (Contractor) – DPH Lead for the Midwest Region

Dr. Toby Canning is the DPH Lead for the Midwest Region. Dr. Canning is a licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner in state of Nebraska, and has been practicing as a psychotherapist for the last 7 years. He has devoted a special emphasis in his practice to working with children, adolescents and families. For the past three years he has worked as a Department of Defense Contractor providing services to the soldiers and families of the Nebraska Army National Guard. He also has years of group work experience treating behavioral health issues in pre-adolescents and adolescents. For the last 7 years he has also worked in the field of substance abuse. He has lead Intensive Outpatient Treatment Groups treating substance abuse for both adolescents and adults. In 1998 he received a B.S. in Christian Studies from North Central University in Minneapolis, MN. In December of 2000 he received a M.A. in Counseling from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, MO. In 2005 he also completed a Ph.D. in Psychology, with a specialty in family psychology, from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN. Dr. Canning is the proud father of two young boys and lives with his wife of 13 years in Lincoln, NE.

Ms. Stephanie Lincoln (Contractor) – DPH Lead for the Northeast Region

Stephanie Lincoln is the DPH Lead for the North East Region. Stephanie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in state of Florida and a National Certified Counselor. Stephanie received both her undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of North Florida. She obtained her Masters in Art in Counseling Psychology degree at the University of North Florida in 2004. Stephanie spent most of her career working in the field of Child and Adolescent Psychology. Stephanie quickly moved up in the leadership ladder, thanks to the development of her leadership skills while simultaneously completing her duties as a Citizen Soldier in the Florida Army National Guard. From 2006 to 2009, Stephanie worked in the Department of Juvenile Justice and Department of Corrections systems. She was the Assistant Administrator of a high risk juvenile prison that specialized in providing mental health services for children who had been convicted of serious crimes. Stephanie also conducted contract work with DJJ and DOC and private companies to provide services for child and adult offenders at various locations in the State.

While Stephanie pursued and developed her civilian career, Stephanie continued to pursue her military career. Stephanie began her career in the military as an E2- Private. While at Basic training she competed and was awarded the prestigious “Soldier of the Cycle” award. She rose to the rank of Specialist. She attended Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC). At her Unit, she was awarded “Soldier of the Year”. She was also on the Adjutant Generals Honor Guard. She was hand picked by the leadership in her Unit to attend Officer Candidate School. She graduated OCS and received her commission as a Second Lieutenant. Stephanie was assigned to various positions in the FL Guard as an officer and rose to the rank of CPT before resigning her commission in 2007. Stephanie spent over 10 years in the Florida National Guard.

Stephanie Lincoln is a Native Floridian and the eldest daughter of a Retired Navy Senior Master Chief. Stephanie’s grandfather was drafted in the Army in WWII and received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in battle. Stephanie has two Uncles who served honorably in the military; one Uncle served the Active Army and one in the Florida Army National Guard. Stephanie’s proudest moment in life was the day her father rendered her first salute as an officer.

Mr. Brandon Wardell (Contractor) – DPH Lead for the Southeast Region

Brandon Wardell is the DPH Lead for the South East Region. He has been a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Oklahoma since 2004. Brandon is a Professional Member of the American Counseling Association and of the National Board of Certified Counselors. Since that time, he has worked as a clinician and consultant for the Air Force, Army, and several other State and Tribal Government agencies. Brandon has an extensive background in systemic and solution focused modalities of psychological treatment. He has worked for the past three years providing psychological services for the activity component of the United States Army and the Oklahoma National Guard. In December 2002, Brandon received his master’s degree in Marital and Family Therapy from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. He is currently in the process of finishing his PhD in Psychology from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN. He has been married to his wife for the past 12 years and is the father of three daughters. He and his family currently live in Oklahoma City, Ok.