NH’S Service to Science Expert Panel
The New Hampshire Service to Science Expert Panel is a team of experts convened by the NH Department of Health & Human Services (NH DHHS), Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services and JSI’s Center for Excellence on Addiction. The Expert Panel reviews and scores Service to Science applications and may endorse a program as a Promising or Evidenced-Based Practice based on a set of criteria examining program design, implementation and evaluation outcomes.
Expert Panel Members:
Dr. Riggs is the Executive Director of the Colorado State University (CSU) Prevention Research Center, a campus-wide trans-disciplinary center committed to studying the development, implementation, and evaluation of effective and sustainable preventive interventions across the lifespan. The CSU Prevention Research Center has four divisions, each in which Dr. Riggs is actively engaged: Healthy Schools, Community-University Partnerships, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and Healthy Aging. Dr. Riggs has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, including those in his personal research area of interest, which is testing preventive interventions that promote youth socioemotional development and prevent adolescent risk behaviors, including substance misuse. His research has been funded by the National Institute of Health, the United States Department of Agriculture, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and several Colorado state agencies. He is actively involved with the Society for Prevention Research (SPR), where he is co-authoring the field’s prevention Standards of Knowledge. He is on the editorial board of the peer-reviewed journals Prevention Science and the Journal of Prevention. Dr. Riggs is an engaged scholar who works alongside community partners to support the implementation of evidence-based preventive interventions.
Dr. Dean Cascadden is a seasoned educator with a distinguished career in educational leadership. After earning a doctoral degree in educational leadership, he served as a college professor and a principal at a public school before becoming the superintendent of schools in Bow, New Hampshire, in 2007. Now retired, he also held the position of adjunct professor, specializing in educational research design. As a member of the Expert Panel, Dr. Cascadden focuses on the practical implementation of projects within local schools and communities, ensuring they integrate effectively into existing systems. His expertise extends to evaluating outcomes both quantitatively and qualitatively, with a particular emphasis on programs that help reduce substance reliance. His goal is to develop and support initiatives that build proactive protective factors into the lives of participants, fostering healthier, more resilient communities.
Sandra Del Sesto, M.Ed., ACPS, Consultant/Master Trainer, Educational Development Ctr.
Sandra Puerini Del Sesto, M.Ed, ACPS, is a consultant and master trainer in behavioral health and strategic planning for nonprofits. For over thirty-five years, Ms. Del Sesto has provided throughout the United States training, community and strategic planning, program development, and capacity building in all areas of prevention practice. She has worked extensively at both the community and state levels directing a statewide prevention agency, developing strategic prevention/behavioral health care plans, creating curriculum and programs for high-risk youth and families as well as instructional guidelines for substance misuse and mental health education. In addition to her prevention work, she was the founding director of the Institute for Addiction Recovery at RI College and is board chair of RI’s largest statewide multi-service treatment program. She has been a member of the advisory boards of the National Latino PTTC and the New England School of Addiction Studies. For many years Sandra was also a delegate to and the former Prevention Committee Co-Chair of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), which certifies professionals working in behavioral health. Sandra currently serves on the advisory boards of the PTTC-National Coordinating Office and the New England PTTC. Sandra is a co-author of SAMHSA’s SPF Application for Prevention Success Training (SAPST) and its basic and advanced Prevention Ethics courses. She received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boston College (Newton), and her Master’s degree in counselor education from Rhode Island College. She also completed a certificate program in nonprofit management through Brown University in Providence. Ms. Del Sesto is an advanced certified prevention specialist.
Dr. Dorothy Skierkowski-Foster, Ph.D., Principal, Institute for Prevention Research, Evaluation & Policy
Dr. Dorothy D. Skierkowski-Foster is an accomplished program evaluator with extensive experience in evaluating substance misuse prevention programs. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rhode Island, with a focus on research methodology and multicultural issues. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University in Advanced Quantitative Methods in Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience. Since August 2017, Dr. Skierkowski-Foster has served as an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Rhode Island, where she is the Principal Investigator for the evaluation of several major prevention initiatives funded by the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH). These include the Regional Prevention Task Force Initiative, Rhode Island Prevention Resource Center Training and Technical Assistance Evaluation, Evaluation of the Prevention Education Component of Project SUCCESS, Local and State-Level Evaluation of the Partnerships for Success 2018 Project, and evaluation of the Incredible Years programs, totaling over $5 million in awarded evaluation grants. Dr. Skierkowski-Foster has a deep understanding of evidence-based prevention strategies, risk and protective factors, and the unique challenges faced by diverse communities. She has designed and implemented comprehensive evaluation plans, utilizing quantitative and qualitative methodologies to assess program effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and measure long-term impacts. With a strong commitment to data-driven decision-making, Dr. Skierkowski-Foster’s work has played a pivotal role in shaping effective prevention programs through actionable recommendations based on her evaluation findings. Her research has been instrumental in securing continued funding and enhancing program implementation, ultimately contributing to improved public health outcomes. Dr. Skierkowski-Foster is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Evaluation Association and the Society for Prevention Research. She has presented her research at numerous national and international conferences and has authored several peer-reviewed publications in prominent journals.
