Topic: Mental Health: Help & Hope for Our Best Selves
by Debbie Stafford, MA, CAS, Legislative Director
Aurora Mental Health & Recovery
*Lunch will be provided by Aurora Mental Health & Recovery*
*Please be sure to register for lunch headcount*

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Debbie Stafford, M. A., CAS
Legislative Director, Aurora Mental Health & Recovery

Debbie Stafford completed her fourth and final term (due to term limits) as a Colorado State Representative serving House District 40 in 2009. Rep. Stafford has worked as a domestic violence counselor part time for the past twenty-nine years. As an ordained pastor, she has served on the pastoral staffs of two large churches in Denver, CO.  Debbie has been with Aurora Mental Health & Recovery for over 18 years.  She is currently their Legislative Director.
 
Debbie has been a nationally trained Mental Health First Aid Instructor.  She has trained Adults, First Responders including Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, Military and Youth Leaders in Mental Health First Aid.  She was awarded "Mental Health First Aid Instructor of the Year" in Colorado, five years ago after she came along side an Aurora First Responder and CCA instructor, who lost memory after a stroke.  She taught with him at the Community College of Aurora for nearly a year until he regained enough memory to teach on his own.  As an Auctioneer, Debbie has raised millions of dollars for many of Colorado's Charities.
 
She co-authored the manual, "Shattered Dreams, a Biblical Outlook on Domestic Violence".  She also assisted in the writing of "The Welfare of My Neighbor" through the Rocky Mountain Research Council in Washington, D.C. and has recently co-authored, "A Journey Through Emotional Abuse, From Bondage to Freedom".
 
Debbie continues her Pastoral care by officiating funerals for a local funeral home.  She is also a political commentator for KPOF Radio and a motivational speaker.


The Women in Business Committee serves as a voice for all women in business, acting as an advocate on issues that affect their professional growth and long term economic vitality.