Say It Straight Foundation is dedicated to research and training in prevention of high risk and destructive behaviors, promotion of wellness, enhancing treatment and sustained recovery, creating sustainable prevention communities and communication excellence in organizations. Say It Straight Foundation has trained over 3,000 people in the United States and abroad to work with youth, parents, couples, families, communities and organizations in many settings, such as schools, addictions treatment, prison, faith community, community service organizations. Trainers come from all walks of life and include teachers, counselors, nurses, administrators, prevention and treatment providers, community volunteers, therapists, physicians, social workers, police and probation officers and ministers. In addition to conducting SIS trainings directly in many settings, Master SIS Trainers also are available to conduct SIS Training of Trainers Workshops at your site across the United States and abroad.

Paula Englander-Golden, Ph.D. is Director of Training of the Say It Straight Foundation. She previously was Professor at the University of North Texas where she was the Founding Director of the Institute for Studies in Addictions and Professor at the University of Oklahoma where she coordinated Chemical Dependency Studies and founded the Oklahoma Alcohol/Drugs Information Clearinghouse. She is a member of AVANTA, the international network of family therapists and family educators founded by Virginia Satir. She has been the recipient of grants from the U.S. Department of Education, the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention (OSAP), and the State of Oklahoma. Her research and training in prevention of alcohol/drug abuse and other destructive behaviors, in promotion of wellness and strengthening the family has achieved an international reputation. She is the developer of Say It Straight training. She has published numerous research articles and the book, Say It Straight: From Compulsions to Choices, co-authored with Virginia Satir, with an accompanying audiocassette. She has produced three videotapes used to increase effective communication and positive relationships in families, schools, student support groups in treatment and other settings. Dr. Englander-Golden gives seminars, workshops, lectures across the United States and abroad for educational and social service organizations and for the military. She is listed in Who's Who in America and has been on many radio and TV talk shows.

David E. Golden, Ph.D. is CEO of the Say It Straight Foundation. He previously was a Regents Professor at the University of North Texas and also Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He was George Lynn Cross Professor at the University of Oklahoma. He studied Systems Communication, Family Systems and Family Reconstruction with Virginia Satir for over 10 years and is a member of AVANTA where he served on the Governing Council and as Treasurer. He has served in a number of administrative positions in universities and industry. He has published more that 200 research articles and given many seminars and workshops for public and private institutions in the United States and abroad. He has been principal or co-principal investigator on more than $7M in grants from various federal, state and private organizations and is listed in Who's Who in the World and American Men and Women in Science. He is a co-founder of the Say It Straight Foundation and collaborates on Say It Straight research, training and development of materials.

Master Trainers

Jason Vail Cruz, Phoenix, Arizona. Jason is currently a Prevention Manager for a non-profit community-based organization in Phoenix, AZ. He has experience delivering training in both the corporate and non-profit worlds. His current focus is on prevention of substance abuse, hepatitis, and HIV in high risk communities.

Colette Hohenbaum, Ph.D., Littleton, Colorado. Colette is a School Counselor in the Douglas County School System.

Howard Kairys, Psy.D., Marblehead, Massachusetts. Howard is a clinical psychologist in private practice specializing in child psychology and couples therapy and provides psychological evaluations in criminal and civil actions. He is also a Consultant to the Peabody, Massachusetts School System.

Michael Monnet, M.A., LPC, Littleton, Colorado. Michael is School Counselor in the Douglas County School System. He also is a therapist in private practice and an organizational consultant.

Cathy Paddack, LPN, LISAC, Phoenix, Arizona. Cathy is an HIV Prevention Educator, Advisor and SAMHSA Project Manager for a non-profit community-based organization in Phoenix, AZ. and has worked in the field of substance abuse for over 30 years.

Furahaa Saba, MA, San Diego, California. Furahaa is a Communications Instructor at Southwestern Community College and Grossmont Community College. She has included Say It Straight Training as a core part of her Course at Grossmont Community College.

Joy Tucker, MSW, Radford, Virginia, Joy is a Certified Prevention Professional for a non-profit mental health, substance abuse and mental retardation community services board.  She has over 16 years of experience delivering substance abuse and violence prevention programs in elementary and middle schools, as well as facilitating community coalitions.

Tom Wood, Ph.D., LPC, Dallas, Texas. Tom is an Alcoholism/Drug Counselor at a Treatment Center in Dallas, Texas.

Thomas Wright, Deputy Sheriff, Versailles, Missouri. Thomas is a School Resource Officer in Morgan County, Missouri.

We can give you names and addresses of people to contact if you wish to have information on:

SIS in Schools

SIS with Families, Organizations and Communities

SIS in Probation and with Incarcerated Youth

SIS in Addiction Treatment Settings

SIS in Alternative Schools and in Adolescent Group Homes

SIS in Prison Settings