Executive Director

Dr. Kathy Quick, kathy@pmhca.org

As the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association (PMHCA), Dr. Quick is very invested in ensuring that individuals in recovery from mental illness have their voices heard. Dr. Quick is in long-term recovery from mental illness as well as alcohol addiction, and she shares her story to inspire others to embrace recovery and hope. Dr. Quick received her bachelor's degree from Penn State University in 1998, majoring in Criminal Justice. She went on to receive a master’s degree in social work from Temple University in 2005, and her Doctorate in Social Work from Capella University in 2020. She has accumulated over 20 years of experience in providing treatment services in mental health, family treatment, children's services, substance use disorder treatment, and local government before joining PMHCA. Dr. Quick is a resident of Schuylkill County with her husband, German Shepherd Duke, and 3 cats – Little AK, Molly and Princess Fiona. Dr. Quick's recovery tools include reading, hunting, painting, crocheting, counted cross-stitch, and gardening.

Director of Operations

Tyler Eppley, tyler@pmhca.org

Tyler has worked for PMHCA since August of 2001. He's been a drummer since he was 3 years old and is in and has played in a countless number of bands since his high school days (None of them successful). He loves spending time with his wife, Dana, and two pups, Daisy and Chi-Chi. He loves gaming and watching sports, especially his beloved New York Islanders.

Training and Education Director

Ethan Frost, ethan@pmhca.org

Ethan Frost is an individual in long term recovery from substances, mental health, incarceration, and housing insecurity for the last ten years. He is a CPS, CRS, CFRS, and working on his Warrior Down Recovery Coach Training through White Bison Recovery for Indigenous Individuals. He began at PMHCA ten years ago as a contracted trainer of the Forensic Peer Support Program. In July of 2022, Ethan joined PMHCA full-time as the Training Director that would oversee all training programs for the agency. Ethan enjoys hiking with his partner and his three rescue dogs, free climbing, photography, and getting lost in a good documentary film. Ethan’s passion is advocating for equal and fair treatment for the forensic population and LGTBQIA+ population while educating the public on mental health situations that effect those marginalized populations.

PMHCA Program Director

Tristan Schnoke, tristan@pmhca.org

Tristan Schnoke is a young adult who is married, has a child, owns pets, and also has a mental illness that she battles every single day.  She has learned to grow through things instead of trying to jump over them and that has helped her to become a strong advocate for other young people who struggle with mental health and traumatic experiences. As the Program Director at PMHCA, Tristan's goal is to make sure that everyone's experiences are being included, heard, and understood when changes to the mental health system are being made. You have a voice and we need to hear it!

Administrative Support Director

Kim Brown, kim@pmhca.org

Kimberly Brown is the Administrative Support Coordinator for PMHCA and YMPA. She became a Certified Peer Specialist in 2023, and looks to complete her Certified Family Recovery Specialist Certification later in the year. In her spare time, she enjoys motorcycle riding with her husband and spending time with their two children, family, and friends.

Capacity & Advocacy Coordinator

Candijoy Myers, candi@pmhca.org

Candi's journey into advocacy work began in 2021 when she became employed at Peerstar and became a Certified Peer Specialist. While employed through Peerstar she received a promotion as the Community Support Ambassador for Clearfield and Jefferson counties. During her time as a Community Support Ambassador, she won an award for outstanding mental health advocate of the year from Skills of North Central PA. She started a lot of different events in her community for CSP. She was a member of the suicide prevention team and chaired their walk last year. She is involved with the heroin and overdose task force in her community. She plans to use her lived experience and training to help rejuvenate the community support program in the central region, while hopefully building ties to other regions in the state. She is excited to be able to advocate for people in recovery because she also suffered from substance use disorder and depression. She is also a suicide loss survivor so has strong ties to suicide prevention in our state. Candi has five kids and lives in the North Central part of Pennsylvania. In her spare time, she enjoys kayaking, fishing, and spending time with her family. She feels her family is her greatest accomplishment in everything that she does.

YMPA Program Director

Kevin Puskaric, kevin@pmhca.org

Kevin Puskaric is the Program Director at Youth Move Pennsylvania, where he brings his expertise in empathetic leadership and youth engagement to the forefront. Kevin's dedication to representing the voice of our youth is rooted in his own life experiences. He has earned certifications as a Peer Specialist, Recovery Specialist, and a Family Recovery Specialist to best serve his community. Kevin's commitment to youth empowerment extends beyond his role at Youth Move Pennsylvania. He serves as a co-chair to the Children's Committee of Mental Health Planning Council under the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS). Through his work, Kevin supports youth peer initiatives throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, demonstrating his knowledge, dedication, and fierce advocacy for the youth population.

YMPA Community Outreach Coordinator

Zoe Small, zoe@pmhca.org

Zoe Small (she/he/they) is a passionate advocate for the voices of youth and cares deeply about connecting young people to the resources they need to thrive. Zoe loves active listening, providing care, and making those around her feel seen and valued. As a Certified Peer Specialist, Zoe uses their own lived experience with mental health challenges to connect with others experiencing similar struggles. A 2020 graduate from Bryn Mawr College, Zoe began her career in the non-profit sector serving youth with disabilities and their families, and now continues to support youth in their self-advocacy as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Youth MOVE PA. Zoe believes in the power of building community and living with the values of kindness and compassion. In his free time, Zoe enjoys singing, dancing, hiking, reading, and watching sitcoms.

Call for Change and Youth Coordinator

Chris Lunsford, chris@pmhca.org

Christopher Lunsford is a CPS with lived experience in recovery from Bipolar Disorder and the child-serving mental health system. He has taken his experience to become an advocate and leader for youth voice and speaks openly about mental illness on Twitch under the name of "Fencechild" where he uses video games to provide support to others. Chris now lives in Allentown, PA where he serves as the Call For Change & Youth Care Coordinator at the Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association.