Our Staff

The Right People to Get the Job Done

A diverse team of full and part-time staff members bring decades of business experience in mental health and social service. Some staff members are Certified Peer Support Specialists meaning they have lived experience of recovery from mental illness and or substance use.

Kimberly Barta

Director of Programs

Kimberly began her career at MHASM in July of 2010 as a Case Manager under a HUD project called Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing. When that project ended, she worked under a project for people affected by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill to provide Resiliency and Coping Skills. For the past few years, she has worked with clients in their transition from chronic homelessness. She is now the Director of Programs overseeing all services at Mental Health Association of South MS.  Kim is also a certified Mental Health First Aid and Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) Facilitator.  She holds Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work with Psychology and Interdisciplinary minors.

Nicole Pierce

Respite Director

Nicole began in 2014 as a volunteer, since then she has worked in all our programs and is currently the Director of the Gulf Coast Respite House. She is a Certified Peer Support Specialist Professional, and a certified facilitator of Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP), Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid.  Nicole holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a Mental Health Counseling minor and a Master’s Degree in Human Service Counseling – Life Coach, Community Care and Counseling. Through her personal recovery journey, she believes every individual has the capacity for change and she works alongside them to empower people to find their inner strength and make the changes they want to make to lead a happy fulfilling life.

Dominique Butler

Respite Support

Dominique is a compassionate Certified Peer Support Specialist, who turned her personal recovery journey into a mission to help others. After facing her own challenges, she discovered a passion for guiding people through similar struggles, empowering them to overcome obstacles and find hope. Dominique loves doing art projects as a creative outlet to relieve stress and connect with others. She often incorporates art into her support work, using it as a therapeutic tool to help people express their emotions and build resilience. Through empathy and creativity, Dominique is dedicated to inspiring healing and transformation in every life she touches.

Liz Creel

Outreach Case Manager

Elizabeth “Liz” Creel from Biloxi, MS started working for the Mental Health Association in May 2024. Liz holds an associate’s degree in social work from MGCCC. She was previously a paralegal working with clients on social security and work comp. Currently she is an Outreach Case Manager for the Gulfport area. she assists people experiencing mental health challenges who are unsheltered. This assistance ranges from helping to obtain their ID and other documents to securing housing. She says, “Working with the unhoused has always been a dream of mine and I’m so happy I’m able to be a part of this organization. “

Kay Daneault

Executive Director

Kay began as Executive Director in 2007. She directs the organization’s growth as it supports the community with compassion and integrity. Kay values input from others to help people exposed to mental health issues find their way to a healthy lifestyle. Through an array of services, MHASM has helped many people to move forward in a positive manner for a better life.  Kay is an Advanced Level Wellness Recovery Action Planning Facilitator and a certified Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid Facilitator. She has a MBA and is SHRM-SCP certified. 

Levi Favre

Levi Favre

Respite Support

Levi is a certified peer support specialist, WRAP Facilitator, and integral member of multiple mental health support teams. Levi was previously a member of an ICORT team promoting mental health awareness and support initiatives. As part of the MHA Respite Team, he continues his commitment to creating safe and nurturing environments for individuals seeking respite and recovery. With a wealth of experience and a heart dedicated to helping others, Levi plays a vital role in providing care and guidance to those in need.Levi is a member of Veteransville giving support to other veterans.

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Kari Gerwig

Accounting Assistant

Kari retired after 40 years in the accounting field and quickly realized she had more to offer. She started her career as a Medicare billing specialist in Denver. Then into the accounting department for Lutheran Medical Center. In addition, she became a certified medical transcriptionist. In 2001 she moved to Louisiana for a new experience as a bookkeeper in the retail sector and then moved to the Mississippi coast in 2017.  In January 2024 she began working in accounting at the Mental Health Association. Kari says, “I find it so rewarding to be working with such dedicated, kind and caring people who are helping so many in our community.”   

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Vicki Greene

Respite Support

Vicki is a dedicated advocate for wellness and recovery, having begun her transformative journey in 2020 when she relocated to the Gulf Coast. Embracing sobriety, she discovered her passion for helping others overcome addiction. A great listener who loves connecting with people, Vicki has turned her experiences into a mission of service. Recently becoming a Certified Peer Support Specialist, she is excited to work at Gulf Coast Respite House, giving back to the community that supported her. In her free time, Vicki enjoys journaling and meditation, using these tools to maintain her well-being and inspire others on their paths to recovery

John Higgins

John Higgins

Forensic Coordinator

John began his quest for helping others in 2020, when he completed an inpatient program at Defining Wellness Inc. (DWI). John went on to do a student practicum at DWI, an internship at Urban Rehab Facilities, and became a counselor of a supervised living facility. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Jackson State University. In 2022 John began working at MHASM as a Peer Recovery Coach. He still works part time as a Certified Peer Support Specialist at Urban Rehab Facilities. John participates in conferences and seminars as the guest speaker telling his personal story of sobriety, resilience, and hope. Additionally, he serves as a board member for AMPSS.

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Darius Hill

Respite Support

Darius is a Certified Peer Support Specialist and a Navy Veteran who is passionate about wellness and mental health. He has experience working with a wide variety of people with the goal of destigmatizing mental health and letting others know that it’s ok to talk about it. A firm believer in resilience and hope, Darius uses his reach to inspire and help as many people as possible.

Debra Jackson

Debra Jackson

Peer Recovery Coach Wellness

After some life changing experiences, Debra began her journey as a Certified Peer Support Specialist in 2022. She is a Certified Peer Bridger, Youth Mental Health First Aid Facilitator and a Wellness Recovery Action Plan Facilitator. Debra is a true team player and she takes pride in knowing she is able to be part of a change making team who she considers her newfound family. Her motto is “It’s about letting people know it is ok to have a diagnosis and still live life to its fullest with no limitations or restrictions.”

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Connie Lee

Drop In Peer Support Specialist

Connie works at our Opal Smith drop-in center in Gulfport. She went through the state training and was certified as a Peer Support Specialist in November of 2023. She holds the Certified Peer Support Adult Recovery designation, the Peer Bridger designation as well as the Forensic designation. She is currently studying to get a bachelor’s in social work. Connie brings enthusiasm to the program and looks for creative ways to connect. Her motto is “always show kindness, you don’t always know what others are going through”.

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Brandi Miles

Respite Support

Brandi Miles is a Retired Veteran, mother of 3 amazing children and Gigi of 2 amazing grandchildren. After becoming a Life Coach, Brandi founded Veterans Unleashed, now known as Veteransville. This is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to developing Veterans Peer Support Specialists and Veteran Life Coaches to enrich the lives of Veterans and their families through education, collaboration, compassion, and resources. After doing some consulting work with the Mental Health Association, Brandi came on staff with our Gulf Coast Respite House.

Natalie Moore

Natalie Moore

Peer Wellness Support Services Coordinator

Natalie began her career with MHASM in March of 2022 as a Peer Recovery Coach. She assists the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) and the Association of Mississippi Peer Support Specialists (AMPSS) with employing, training, and supporting Peer Support Specialists across the state. Natalie is a Certified Peer Support Specialist, a Youth Mental Health First aid Facilitator and a Certified Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Facilitator. She believes her purpose in life is to help others regain control of their lives by highlighting their strengths and focusing on their unique definition of recovery.

Laykin Register

Laykin Register

Peer Recovery Coach Peer Bridger


Laykin is a Certified Peer Support Specialist, a Trained Peer Bridger and Youth Mental Health First Aid Facilitator. She began her career in mental health in January of 2019, moving into different positions. Laykin has served as a Young Adult CPSS working in foster care and juvenile justice systems, as well as Youth Engagement and Program Coordinator positions. She served as a CPSS Ambassador that helped develop and train the Young Adult Peer Support modules. Laykin has also participated in many conferences as a panelist, speaker, and facilitator.

John Seymour

John Seymour

Drop-In Peer Support Specialist

John has been a peer support specialist since 2020. He came to work at the Mental Health Association in September of 2023. He currently works in the Opal Smith Drop-In Center where he facilitates groups and helps the members with challenges they might have. John and the other staff strive toward making the members feel confident and accepted. John also assists to get information about the Mental Health Association out to others by participating in community health fairs and other events to share more about the work. We try to be champions of mental health and wellness. 

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Bobbie Singletary

Outreach Case Manager

Bobbie began her journey helping people with all types of disabilities around 2004 and is now a Certified Peer Support Specialist.  At this time, Bobbie also did some Emergency Preparedness training and other events with The Mental Health Association which began her connection. In 2011, Bobbie partnered with her daughter, to help students through their Individualized Education Program to get what they needed to be able to learn in school.  In 2023, Bobbie became an Outreach Case Manager with The Mental Health Association assisting people on the coast who are experiencing homelessness.  

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Patty Sinopoli

Program Assistant

Since July 2004, Patty has been an invaluable part of MHASM, contributing in various capacities. She began her journey as a drop-in member and soon after was hired to work in the drop-in center and continues to assist with that program. Over the years, Patty has played key roles in committees and health fairs and remains actively involved in the organization’s annual fundraiser, “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” In her role as Assistant to the Executive Director, Patty has supported numerous projects, consistently demonstrating her willingness to help others. Following the completion of her Peer Support Certification, she transitioned to the role of Receptionist, enabling her to provide mental health resources to the community.

Beth Williamson

Beth Williamson

Accounting Manager

Beth Williamson comes to MHASM through 30+ years of experience in the Accounting field in multiple states, NY, FL, and MS.  Finances are very important to any organization, but as a non-profit we want to be the best stewards of the money we receive through grants and donations.  Beth is proficient and dedicated to making sure everything is correct and transparent. She raised three children as a single parent.  Her children are grown and has been  helping her parents.  Beth says, “family is very important to me, I am very lucky to still have my father around, and we all help take care of each other.”