PRSS Team

Jae Jackson McConnell

Jae Jackson McConnell, MS, CTTS is the program manager of the PRSS and Behavioral Health and Wellness Division. Having been with ODMHSAS for 13 years, she also has experience working with a variety of populations on a variety of topics including mental health, substance use disorder, opiate overdose education, tobacco cessation, suicide prevention, physical activity & nutrition and wellness. In her spare time, Jae enjoys running, reading, and chasing after her 2 rambunctious little boys.

Amber Valdez

Amber Valdez, C-PRSS is currently a Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Case Manager 1, and a Behavioral Health Wellness Coach. Amber is a student at Mid-America Christian University where she is studying to obtain her master’s degree of science in counseling. Amber currently is serving as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist Training for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Amber has five years of experience working as a PRSS with a variety of programs including court diversion programs, child welfare, Medicaid assisted treatment, residential substance use treatment, and outpatient mental health and substance use services. Amber has her own lived experience and has been in recovery from mental health symptoms and substance use for four years. She is a graduate of the Comanche County Community Sentencing Program.  Amber enjoys helping others, spending time with her family, being outdoors, and riding horses.

Timothie Smith

Timothie Smith, C-PRSS-Y,S is a person in long-term Recovery from Alcohol, Substances, and Trauma & Mental Health diagnoses. They are one of the Recovery Support Training Specialists on the PRSS Team for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS). They are also a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist themselves, having gotten certified in the State of Oklahoma in 2017 after gaining stability and self-sufficiency through personal Recovery. Prior to them becoming a member of the PRSS Team, they were in Direct Care as a PRSS and PRSS Supervisor at a local Oklahoma City Recovery Community Organization for 4 years. Timothie is a firm believer in the idea that Recovery is possible for all, and the realities of Recovery can be achieved by anyone who wants it. Timothie lives and works in Oklahoma City and is a lover of books, good food, traveling & animals, they have 2 Dogs (Hank & Sirius) and 2 Cats (Manface & Disraeli).  

Crystal Myers

Crystal Myers, BS joined the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Recovery Support Team in October 2021. Crystal has over 10 years of experience serving a diverse population of students including international students, military personnel, working adults, students with families, and the greater public in Oklahoma as an administrative professional at Rose State College, Midwest City. Among her favorite things are spending time outdoors, exploring the world near and far, reading, learning a variety of new and interesting topics, making time for self-care, supporting others around her, and sharing quality family time with her husband, child, and their two dogs (Duke & Toby).