Northeast RLC Leaders

Karen Lackey MSSA LISW-S
Karen is a Student Wellness Coordinator working in Lake, Geauga and Portage Counties. She coordinates programs and initiatives across the spectrum of services, including but not limited to suicide prevention, Youth Led programming, and social media education. Karen’s focus is on community engagement in prevention, wellness and mental health services in schools, and promoting evidence-based practice.
Prior to joining ESCNEO, Karen was the Director of Community Prevention at ESCWR for 27 years, developing a series of programs and initiatives in Lake and Geauga County. Over her 39 year career, Karen worked in multiple service sectors including behavioral health, juvenile justice, school based prevention and youth residential treatment. She has developed multiple youth serving programs across Ohio.
Karen is a lifelong Clevelander and currently resides in Aurora, Ohio. She has 2 children, Kelly and Mitch, and one grandchild. Spare time is spent running, attending sporting events with friends, and volunteering at church.
Prior to joining ESCNEO, Karen was the Director of Community Prevention at ESCWR for 27 years, developing a series of programs and initiatives in Lake and Geauga County. Over her 39 year career, Karen worked in multiple service sectors including behavioral health, juvenile justice, school based prevention and youth residential treatment. She has developed multiple youth serving programs across Ohio.
Karen is a lifelong Clevelander and currently resides in Aurora, Ohio. She has 2 children, Kelly and Mitch, and one grandchild. Spare time is spent running, attending sporting events with friends, and volunteering at church.
Holly Jacobson; M.Ed., OCPC
Holly is an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant (OCPC) and Adult Allie to many young people in Geauga and Lake Counties. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Education in School Counseling from Kent State University with 15 years in professional practice. Holly was the Youth Led Prevention Coordinator in her last position for Geauga County, where she promoted and facilitated leadership activities. Holly is committed to empowering young people to be active caring citizens.
On the ground floor of the start of Youth Led Prevention in Ohio, Holly has done extensive training to become a Certified Ohio Youth Led Adult Allie through Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services, The Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service at Ohio University, and Prevention Action Alliance. When Holly started her work in Geauga County in 2012, there were not any Youth Led Prevention programs or groups and she has grown the program to 12 youth led prevention chapters in 2 counties. She has worked to create a comprehensive youth led program to empower the young people in our schools to create school and community level change over the past several years.
In 2015, when the Geauga School Community Forum was founded, Holly was one of the starting members and has been with the Forum every step of the way and is an integral member of the Forum. She aids in the development of Forum services/programs, provides services to our schools and coordinates Forum programs.
Holly is a regional trainer for all of Northeast Ohio in Youth Led Prevention. She is also a state and national presenter on many topics in prevention including Youth Led Prevention and School Community Forum. Holly is a Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST) trainer, QPR Instructor, and Sources of Strength certified Trainer for K-2 Curriculum, 3-6 Grade Elementary Program and Secondary Sources (7-12 grades).
Holly is very excited to continue her work, by joining the Student Wellness Department at the ESC of Northeast Ohio.
On the ground floor of the start of Youth Led Prevention in Ohio, Holly has done extensive training to become a Certified Ohio Youth Led Adult Allie through Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services, The Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service at Ohio University, and Prevention Action Alliance. When Holly started her work in Geauga County in 2012, there were not any Youth Led Prevention programs or groups and she has grown the program to 12 youth led prevention chapters in 2 counties. She has worked to create a comprehensive youth led program to empower the young people in our schools to create school and community level change over the past several years.
In 2015, when the Geauga School Community Forum was founded, Holly was one of the starting members and has been with the Forum every step of the way and is an integral member of the Forum. She aids in the development of Forum services/programs, provides services to our schools and coordinates Forum programs.
Holly is a regional trainer for all of Northeast Ohio in Youth Led Prevention. She is also a state and national presenter on many topics in prevention including Youth Led Prevention and School Community Forum. Holly is a Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST) trainer, QPR Instructor, and Sources of Strength certified Trainer for K-2 Curriculum, 3-6 Grade Elementary Program and Secondary Sources (7-12 grades).
Holly is very excited to continue her work, by joining the Student Wellness Department at the ESC of Northeast Ohio.


Jennie Canganelli, M.Ed., OCPS
Jennie is a licensed School Counselor and Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist. Prior to joining the Wellness Team, Jennie worked as a Social Worker for over ten years in various social service agencies and school-based mental health. As a Prevention Specialist with ESCWR serving school districts across Lake and Geauga counties, Jennie was responsible for developing, coordinating and providing prevention programs and services to students, staff and families to educate, promote healthy choices, and build resiliency. She is a regional trainer for Northeast Ohio Youth Led Prevention, a Certified QPR Suicide Prevention Instructor, and a Sources of Strength Certified Trainer and Coach for both elementary and secondary levels.
Jennie currently lives in Mentor with her husband and two children. She loves traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Jennie currently lives in Mentor with her husband and two children. She loves traveling and spending time with her family and friends.