Community Coalition Coordinator
Niagara County Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
Lockport, New York
Connie Desmarais, MA, is a seasoned Maternal & Child Health and Systems of Care Consultant with over 35 years of experience advancing mental health, maternal and child health, suicide prevention, and evidence-based initiatives. Holding a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, Connie has dedicated her career to supporting rural communities in building responsive, trauma-informed, and family-centered systems of care.
Her expertise and experience centers on promoting prevention, strengthening workforce capacity, integrating evidence-based practices across sectors, and developing culturally competent, community-based supports. She has led coalitions, facilitated multidisciplinary teams, and designed training and technical assistance strategies that help organizations move from planning to implementation. Her work includes developing and delivering suicide prevention programming tailored to rural populations, including firearm safety education, youth engagement strategies, and cross-sector messaging campaigns.
Connie is known for translating knowledge into action—empowering professionals and organizations to create lasting change through inclusive leadership, practical tools, and sustainable solutions that improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.
E7 - The Power of We: Inspiring Partnerships in a Rural System of Care
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM MDT