The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) works to prevent and respond to a wide range of public health issues impacting Minnesotans. Many of these issues overlap, including human trafficking and substance use. Responding to these issues requires multidisciplinary collaboration, including with survivors and individuals with lived experience. Many agencies strive to ensure their work is informed by those impacted; MDH prioritizes including individuals with lived experience from the beginning, not as an afterthought or checkbox. They are experts and leaders who bring more to the table than just their story. Join this panel of presenters as they facilitate a discussion with Subject Matter Experts with Lived Experience (SME with LE) who have partnered with MDH on various projects over the last four years to address substance use, overdose, and human trafficking. Projects include establishing a Black Lived Experience Advisory Committee and Survivor Leadership Committee to guide MDH strategic planning, pilot training co-created with survivors and SME with LE, and a Community Advisory Board as a part of participatory action research project funded by the National Institute of Justice to address systems response to substance use and human trafficking. Learn about the approach they take, the values and practices that guide them, and the impact it has had on their work. Hear directly from SME with LE about how you can engage impacted individuals in a safe, ethical, meaningful, and person-centered manner.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
Pearl Evans is a person in long term recovery whose lived experience guides her public health leadership at the Minnesota Department of Health. She builds trust through authentic community engagement, centers the voices of those most impacted by substance use, and advances community driven approaches that strengthen healing, equity, and meaningful participation.
Sophia Maceda works for the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Human Trafficking Prevention and Response Program. Sophia has over 10 years of experience as an advocate for youth and adults impacted by sexual violence, exploitation ,and sex trafficking. At MDH, Sophia works alongside survivors to inform training, programming and research.
Lateesha Coleman, Founder of Survivors for System’s Change, is nationally recognized in survivor engagement and leadership. With 9 years working in the Research and Evaluation field, she provides facilitation for Communities of Practice, survivor leadership initiatives, training, and consulting services to government agencies, funders, non-profits, and stakeholders across Minnesota and nationwide.
Dominique Buffett is a Minneapolis-based community advocate, parent leader, and survivor of sexual exploitation and substance use. Grounded in lived experience, she works at the intersection of housing, education, and mental health, using storytelling, relationship-building, and advocacy to ensure families impacted by inequities are centered as leaders in systems change.
Monica Miller is a Survivor Subject Matter Expert with Lived Experience in human trafficking and substance use. In long-term recovery for 18 years, she is a licensed social worker who consults, speaks, trains, and develops programs to advance anti-human trafficking and exploitation efforts across Minnesota and beyond.
Joy Friedman is an internationally recognized subject matter expert, author, trainer, speaker, consultant, and changemaker who has 25+ years’ experience working with survivors, law makers, professionals, and leaders in the anti-trafficking and homelessness movements. Through her consulting business, “The Missing Peace,” Joy trains and advises stakeholders nationwide.