Our Board of Directors
Erin Hoch- Board President
Dr. Chereese Jenkins, Vice President
Erin is a mom to an 11yo son with Infantile Pompe disease, ADHD, Anxiety, Executive Functioning Delay. She also has a whole lot of love for living life in the moment. She is neurodivergent and her family is learning new things all the time about adjusting their lives to fit what they need. She also struggle with POTS daily.
She is a wife to the sweetest man who took it all in and never backed out when things got crazy medically. They’ve almost lost their son numerous times, were told he wouldn't make it until age 1 and here they are, still crushing it!
She loves the outdoors, fishing, hunting, adventuring in whatever adapted way they can find to make it possible for their son. She also has a large book addiction, loves to craft, homeschools her son, and loves learning new things. It's been a dream to be part of the changes in Montana to make it fit special needs/ medically complex families needs more and she can't wait to see what the future has in store for us.
Dr. Chereese Jennings is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, clinical supervisor, mental health leader, and family advocate whose passion for Family Peer Support is grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience.
As a mother who raised a child with bipolar disorder into adulthood, Chereese understands firsthand the challenges of navigating mental health systems, advocating for a child’s needs, celebrating progress, and eventually learning to balance support with independence in adulthood. This journey shaped her belief that families need not only professional guidance, but connection with others who truly understand their experience.
Chereese holds a doctorate and has extensive experience in community mental health, residential services, clinical supervision, crisis intervention, and family-centered care. Her doctoral work further strengthened her commitment to Family Peer Support and elevating the value of lived experience within behavioral health systems.
As Vice President of Family Peers for Hope, Chereese brings together her experiences as a mother, clinician, leader, and advocate to amplify family voices, strengthen peer support, and help create systems where families are heard, respected, and empowered.
Karen Graf- Board Treasurer
Karen Graf has had the esteemed opportunity to impact the lives of countless children and adolescents through her dedicated 35+ school nurse career and now alongside school nurses throughout the nation. As the Director of Nursing Education at the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), she plays a pivotal role in enhancing nursing practices within the educational sector. This reach has included providing tools, resources, and educational offerings to practicing school nurses. Currently, she is the Project Director of another five-year CDC cooperative agreement focused on advancing health equity in K-12 education by preventing chronic disease and promoting healthy behaviors. She is the wife of one man for 37+years, 2 adult children (one with special needs and the other with different needs), and one son-in-law. She finds joy in sharing her love for Montana and takes pride in calling it her home!
Theresa Ragsdale- Board Member
Joining the Family Peers for Hope Board is personal for Theresa. As an adoptive parent, she experienced firsthand the gaps in training and resources for families navigating complex needs. She knows how critical strong support systems are because she has lived it, and she is committed to ensuring families don’t feel alone in their journey and have the tools, connections, and hope they need to succeed.
With over a decade of experience in client services, advocacy, and resource navigation, she has guided families through complex situations, fostering informed decisions and building trust through authentic communication. Her background includes leading high-performing teams, facilitating community partnerships, and applying data-driven strategies to create meaningful outcomes.
She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Business Administration and multiple certifications in resource navigation and program compliance.She looks forward to collaborating with families and partners to strengthen support systems and create lasting impact.
Make a Difference.
Are you passionate about supporting families and making a difference in your community? Join the Family Peers for Hope Board! We are looking for dedicated, compassionate individuals who believe in the power of connection, encouragement, and peer support. As a board member, you’ll have the opportunity to share your voice, offer fresh ideas, help guide our mission, and make a lasting impact on the families we serve. Together, we can build stronger connections, inspire hope, and ensure that no family feels alone on their journey. Your voice matters, and your heart for helping others can make a difference!
