“In The Know” – A Panel Discussion Focusing on Addiction in the Family

When someone suffers from addiction, the impacts often spread like ripples on a pond to family and community.  This impressive panel will raise awareness of addiction and help us learn what that looks like in family systems.

• How addiction affects the family as a whole?
• What are the causes and triggers for addiction?
• How can we help young people cope with the challenges of adolescence and young-adulthood without self-medicating?
• Dysfunction in the family and how it manifests through the years.
• Overcoming stigma and cultivating honest and raw conversations

Panel members:

• Ariella Jonas, LCSW, MBA, SHRM-SCP – Senior VP, Caron Treatment Centers
• Alex Price – CEO Project Opioid
• Adam L. Saslov, LMHC PA – Individual, Group, Family Therapy
• John Puls, LCSW, MCAP – Co-Founder of Full Life Comprehensive Care
• Moderated by Rabbi Dan Levin

Co-Sponsored by Ruth and Norman Rales JFS and Temple Beth El Brotherhood

ABOUT OUR PANELISTS:

Ariella Jonas, LCSW, MBA, SHRM-SCP

As Senior Vice President of HR & Training, Ariella Jonas oversees all facets of human resources and training including strategy, recruiting, retention, and compensation, as well as training and professional development. She focuses on innovating and improving employee benefits and engagement in order to ensure Caron’s position as an employer of choice and maintain Caron’s high retention rate.

She believes, “Employees and those who contribute to patient care are our most important asset that we must protect and preserve at every opportunity, while maintaining fiscal responsibility to our mission.’” Ariella has worked in administration at Caron since 2015.

Her personal background and work experience as a therapist and in an acute psychiatric environment contribute to the store of knowledge that she puts to use every day in her goal to ensure a safe and productive treatment environment.

Ariella is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Florida, which is how she began her career at Caron—interning while earning her master’s degree in social work, after which she became a therapist. She returned to Caron as a case specialist in 2011 and took on the job of director of quality in 2015, which grew into vice president of the Florida continuum. Ariella shared that moving into the corporate human resources department is “an exciting new challenge, one that offers growth and expansion of my current skill set. I look forward to utilizing my skills learned in my various previous roles to make a difference in human resources and for the Caron organization.”

Alex Price, Founder & CEO, Mission Impact Strategies
& CEO, Project Overdose Florida

Alex Price is one of Florida’s most recognized and accomplished community leaders and change-makers. Leveraging over 20 years leading philanthropy and community relations for many leading Fortune 500 companies, Alex now drives impact as the Founder & CEO of Mission Impact Strategies. Through this firm, Alex and his partners pursue their passion for helping partners overcome their challenges of unreached potential in philanthropy, external communications, coalition building, leadership and sustainability.

Alex also serves as CEO of Project Overdose, one of America’s leading advocacy groups working to solve the overdose crisis. As he partners with Project Overdose’s founder, Andrae Bailey, to expand this movement, the two are also co-founding Making Change Florida, a nonprofit tackling a range of the state’s most pressing social challenges, of which the overdoes crisis is one.

Alex’s leadership has been forged through years creating national and statewide philanthropic initiatives. He most recently served as Vice President of Culture, Engagement & Community Impact at Burlington Stores Inc. Here Alex’s was also appointed Vice Chair of the Burlington Foundation, where he supported communities and engaged 60,000 associates nationwide. Under his leadership, Burlington was named one of PEOPLE Magazine’s “100 Companies That Care” in 2023.

Before Burlington, Alex was National Director of Community Investment at Office Depot, where he created and launched initiatives like Start Proud!®, the nation’s largest back-to-school charity program, and the Elevate Together®, a national program aimed at empowering Black and Hispanic small businesses. His prior roles include leadership positions at Comcast and ADT, where he created impactful and award-winning community relations programs, like ADT Always Cares®.

Alex discovered his passion for community impact in New York City, where he began his career with top advertising agencies before transitioning to public service in Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration as Manager of Communications for the NYC Department of Education. He also founded nycTIES, the city’s top nonprofit during that period at promoting volunteerism among the city’s young professionals.

Alex holds a BFA from Florida State University and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Communications from Columbia University. He resides in Boca Raton, Florida, with his beautiful wife, Jessie, and their four children.

Adam L. Saslov, LMHC PA
Individual, Group, Family Therapy

Adam Saslov is an accomplished South Florida psychotherapist and behavioral health consultant, currently in private practice since 2000 and specializing in the treatment of mood disorders, substance misuse, couples counseling and personality issues.  Adam began working as a therapist in 1992 and has worked in a diverse range of clinical capacities including, mental health facilities, treatment centers of different levels, out patient centers and private practice.  He has served as an expert witness for cases involving family court and has provided training to The Broward County Bar Association.  He also filled in as an adjunct professor at FAU.  He also serves as a clinical supervisor for those master level therapists seeking licensure in the state of Florida.  Adam has had the opportunity to train with Albert Ellis Ph.D as well as attend seminars with John Gottman Ph.D.  Adam works with adolescents, adults and elderly adults.

John Puls, LCSW, MCAP
John Puls, LCSW, MCAP is a licensed clinical social worker, master’s certified addiction professional, and psychotherapist with over a decade of experience in mental health and substance use treatment. He earned both his BSW and MSW from Florida Atlantic University, where he now serves as an adjunct professor in the School of Social Work. John is also a qualified expert witness specializing in addiction, involuntary commitment, and behavioral health standards of care. Through his practices, Full Life Comprehensive Care,!he bridges the gap between clinical treatment and community systems, advocating for ethical, effective, and family-centered care.