About NRADAN, Inc.
The National Rural Alcohol and Drug Abuse Network, Inc. (NRADAN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to equip providers serving rural communities affected by substance use, behavioral, and mental health conditions with the tools they need to evoke change.
The purposes of NRADAN, Inc. are:
• To provide an annual training institute and other learning opportunities.
• To provide leadership and advocacy for the solution of rural substance use, behavioral, and mental health conditions.
• To represent rural issues at the national and international levels.
Meet Our Board
Rev. Joe Amico, M.Div, CAS, LADC-1
Board President
Massachusetts
Sherri Downing,
BA
Board Vice President
Montana
Desiree Grin, PhD
Secretary
Wisconsin
Paul Mladnick, LADC, LMFT
Board Treasurer
Minnesota
Gary Ehrich, ICS, CSAC
Wisconsin
Dee Priddis, PhD
Tennessee
Dianne Sullivan, MA, CSAC
Wisconsin
John Claye, CAC-AD, CAS
Maryland
Jereme Rose, BS
Kentucky
Tom Farley
Wisconsin
Christy Alten, LMHC, LAC
South Dakota
Our History
Brief highlights of the founding and history of NRADAN, Inc., and the National Rural Institute on Alcohol, Drugs, and Addictions (NRIADA)
First Institute
1983
Larry Monson, Paul MIadnick, and Michael Early collaborated and planned the first Institute.
NRADAN, Inc Founded
1991
NRADAN, Inc., gains IRS standing as a private foundation.
First Annual Awards
1991
First Harold E. Hughes Awards of Excellence awarded at the 1991 Institute.
Conference Location Change
1998
The site of the annual Institute moved from UW-Eau Claire, to Menomonie, Wisconsin, on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
First NRADAN, Inc Board Retreat
2019
Recognizing the expanded work that needed to be planned and completed, the board held its first retreat in August 2019.
Renaming to Recognize Expanded Needs within AODA
2019
"National Rural Institute on Alcohol and Drug Abuse" renamed the "National Rural Institute on Alcohol, Drugs, and Addictions".
Pandemic Impacts
2020
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, for the first time since its beginning, the Institute was cancelled.
We're going virtual!
2021
COVID-19 remained a force to be reckoned with during 2021. So, we practiced our pivoting skills and hosted a fully virtual event.
We're Hybrid!
2022
In 2022, the National Rural Institute on Alcohol, Drugs, and Addictions moved to a livestreamed hybrid format. We've been hybrid ever since!