Our Team.

The ROCC has been designed and planned by people in long term recovery. The core team of seven planners are all Certified Peer Specialist (CPS).

Teddy Steen

Executive Director

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Teddy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work and a Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education. She holds certifications through the Missouri Substance Abuse Credentialing Board as a SATOP Instructor, Missouri Associate Drug Counselor II, a Certified Peer Support Specialist, a certified Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) instructor, and a Medication Assisted Recovery Specialist. She has 35 years of sustained recovery. She also works for the Jasper County Treatment Courts. She founded ASCENT Recovery in 2008.

Paula Donaldson

Operations Director

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Paula Donaldson became Operations Director for Ascent Recovery Residences in March 2023. She was a founding board member of the Recovery Outreach Community Center (ROCC) and served as both president and secretary of Ascent’s Board of Directors prior to accepting her current role. Along with her husband, Terry, Paula helped establish the 12-step fellowship of Drug Addicts Anonymous (DAA) in Joplin. DAA was integral to Paula and Terry’s long-term recovery in Dallas, TX, and they have been pleased to see the Joplin membership grow. Paula is passionate about the local recovery community; she facilitates weekly 12-step meetings at Lafayette House and Jasper County Jail and works with clients as a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) and Medication Assisted Recovery Specialist (MARS).

Cherie Bebee

Certified Peer Specialist

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Cherie is a Certified Peer Specialist here at the ROCC. She works at recovery daily. Cherie also works with a treatment team for the Jasper County Treatment Courts. Her passion is to help others and the community. She wants to help others spark that HOPE inside them and help guide them on their path of change. She is working towards getting her MAADC2 and is pursuing a degree in psychology.

Ed Posey

Certified Peer Pecialist

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Ed is a native Texan and comes to us after retiring from Shaw Industries where he worked in trucking, warehousing, and logistics for 22 years.

A person of long-term recovery (29 years) Ed spent much of his spare time trying to help others. He now continues the work as a Certified Peer Specialist with the ROCC and serves as House Manager for Ascent Recovery. His passions in life are music and helping others recreate theirs.

Austin Smith

Certified Peer Specialist

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Austin is a Certified Peer Specialist at The ROCC. He and his emotional support pup, Jessica, are now a staple at 1402 Main St. Jessica is always available for a head pat or just to sit and chill with the ROCC’s stream of clients. Austin is a natural at making his peer clients feel comfortable and at ease. Austin is in recovery and an active participant in Joplin’s recovery community starting The Broad Highway group of DAA that meets at The ROCC Thursdays and Saturdays at noon.

Jamey Smith

Certified Peer Pecialist

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Jamey is a Certified Peer Specialist at The ROCC. Jamey is in recovery from substance use disorder and also a Jasper County Treatment Court graduate where she now works as a CPS. Jamey is the fearless leader of The ROCC’s cooking class. Her recipes fill The ROCC with the most heavenly aromas every Thursday. Jamey also facilitates our faith-based 12 Step group on Fridays at noon.

Interested in becoming part of our team?

Volunteer opportunities at include: Group facilitators; coffee team; kitchen team; maintenance team; receptionist. People that would like to share there creative life skill gifts or hobbies are always welcome and encouraged to join our team.

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