Amanda Peters
Director
Amanda Peters leads cross-sector strategies advancing prevention, treatment access, recovery supports, and crisis response. She joined the effort in 2017 through the Heroin Impact Response Taskforce and assumed leadership of NKYODCP in 2018, guiding several innovative and nationally recognized initiatives.
A systems integration strategist, Amanda focuses on strengthening social infrastructure and aligning partners across public safety, public health, behavioral health, and community sectors to improve outcomes and drive measurable impact. Her work emphasizes collaborative governance and coordinated strategies to address complex social challenges at scale. It is informed by nearly three decades of cross-sector experience spanning corporate, nonprofit, early childhood and higher education, workforce development, social services, advocacy, and government. Her leadership is grounded in collaboration, lived experience, and a commitment to strengthening the structures that support individuals, families, and communities.
Amanda holds a BA in Political Science and an MA in Integrative Studies from Northern Kentucky University, along with a Graduate Certificate in Civic Engagement. Her personal experience growing up in instability and relying on public systems during critical moments continues to influence her focus on building systems that work better for families and communities, while strengthening the effectiveness of public institutions. She is widely recognized as a subject matter expert in addiction and complex social issues response and serves on numerous local and statewide boards, committees, and workgroups focused on improving the lives of Kentuckians. She also contributes to national policy and systems improvement efforts, including presenting with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and serving on the Board of Directors for the Police, Treatment, and Community Collaborative (PTACC).
With the support of Northern Kentucky’s fiscal courts and collaborative partners, Northern Kentucky has emerged as a national leader in cross-sector strategies addressing addiction and complex social challenges, demonstrating how innovation, coordinated approaches, and community-driven solutions can improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
Amy Martin
Assistant Director
Amy Martin has served as the Assistant Director for the Northen Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy since 2018. With over a decade of experience in public administration and community development, Amy brings a passion for fostering impactful change to create sustainable, people-focused solutions by connecting public health and public safety with effective public policy.
Amy is a career-long public servant, holding previous positions at both the state and local government levels that focused on community impact, policy, and public administration. She began her career with the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the Governor’s Office at the Department for Local Government in the Office of Federal Grants Division. Prior to working with the NKYODCP, Amy served as a Public Administration Specialist for the Northern Kentucky Area Development District.
Amy received her bachelor’s degree in justice administration from the University of Louisville and earned a master’s in public administration from Northern Kentucky University. Her primary focus as Assistant Director is to identify and support innovative and strategic initiatives to address the region’s most pressing challenges related to substance use disorder that deliver meaningful outcomes to build a healthy, productive, resilient Northern Kentucky.
Sarah Blackburn
Public Safety Administrator
Sarah Blackburn serves as the Public Safety Administrator for the Northern Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy (NKYODCP) and the Northern Kentucky Helpline. With more than two decades of experience in criminal justice and public service, she is passionate about helping individuals and families connect with the support and resources they need.
Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Ohio Northern University, a Master’s in Administration of Justice, and a PhD (ABD) in Public Policy and Social Justice. Prior to joining NKYODCP, she worked as a Criminal Justice Professor, Probation Officer, and Victim Advocate, and is recognized as a subject matter expert in domestic minor human trafficking.
In her role, Sarah serves as a bridge between the community and the criminal justice system. She works with local detention centers to provide resources to staff and reentry education to incarcerated individuals, assists families navigating Casey’s Law and Tim’s Law petitions, and helps coordinate regional efforts such as the Northern Kentucky Reentry Council and the NKY Recovery Housing Consortium. She also provides support to Police Social Workers and Law Enforcement Navigators who connect individuals in crisis to treatment and recovery resources.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband, Scott, and their three children, exploring local coffee shops and small businesses, playing ball, and hiking. Their home also includes two beloved pets—a Greyhound Bowie and a Bombay cat Little Boots.
Brianna Wolken
Community Health Administrator and CAREs Administrative Officer
In her role, Brianna conducts outreach in the community – including the Campbell and Kenton County syringe exchange programs – develops and distributes the monthly NKYODCP newsletter and any special alerts or reports, creates outreach materials and reports, manages CAREs Team meetings and quarterly reporting, and provides general technical or administrative assistance as needed for both NKYODCP and for the CAREs Team. Brianna is passionate about empowering all Northern Kentuckians towards a more healthy and equitable future.
Julie Hellmann
Regional Resource Specialist
From the moment Julie joined the office, she knew she was in the right place. She strives each day to challenge herself and grow both professionally and personally while working to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those the office serves. One of her primary roles is answering the Northern Kentucky Helpline, where she speaks with individuals and families facing a wide range of challenges related to substance use and recovery.
The most rewarding part of her work is seeing the impact that support and connection to resources can have on individuals and their families. Social work is a field that always offers opportunities for growth, and Julie continues to learn something new every day. Outside of work, Julie can often be found at a hockey game or enjoying time outdoors when the weather is nice.