About the Initiative
C.O.R.E. was developed in 2023 after the Emergency Health Services Federation received funding through York County’s Opioid Settlement Initiative. Since then, we've worked with dozens of EMS agencies and first responders across York County to shift how our system responds to substance use disorder, starting with empathy, education, and connection.
Why C.O.R.E.?
First responders are often the only healthcare contact someone has during or after an overdose. What happens in that moment matters, but so does what happens next.
C.O.R.E. was developed to provide EMS providers with the tools they need to respond with not just clinical skill, but also compassion.
Our training focuses on:
- Reducing stigma around substance use disorder
- Building stronger communication and patient engagement skills
- Recognizing and managing compassion fatigue
- Connecting patients to recovery resources, including certified recovery specialists and local support services
What the Training Covers
- Understanding the science of addiction and how stigma shows up in EMS
- Using motivational interviewing to support recovery conversations
- Managing burnout and stress in high-demand responder roles
- Learning from people with lived experience
- Navigating local pathways to recovery and warm handoff services
What Makes C.O.R.E. Different?
- Developed by EMS, for EMS
- Backed by behavioral health professionals and recovery leaders
- Grounded in real stories and practical tools
Project Team
Meet the team supporting CORE and our training outreach.
Ian Donat, Paramedic
Program Coordinator
Ian Donat is the Project Coordinator for the Emergency Health Services Federation’s Public Health Division and serves as a Pennsylvania Paramedic and EMS Instructor. Since beginning his EMS career in 2014, Ian has worked across multiple states, communities, and clinical environments, gaining diverse experience in emergency response and prehospital care. In his current role, he supports the Public Health Division through project management, program coordination, and a strong operational EMS perspective on public health initiatives.
Kathleen Jansen, PsyD
Psychology of Addiction
Dr. Kathy Jansen is a licensed psychologist with extensive experience in the treatment of trauma and substance use disorders. She earned her doctorate from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and recently retired from WellSpan Behavioral Health, where she provided compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals and families. Dr. Jansen continues to share her expertise through education and community engagement, with a focus on resilience, recovery, and mental well-being.
Kim Lee Kenawell, EMT, Behavioral Health Specialist
Provider Resiliency
Kim Kenawell serves as the Behavioral Health Specialist for the South Central Pennsylvania Medical Reserve Corps and as an Emergency Medical Technician with Lower Allen Township. With more than 30 years of EMS experience, Kim brings a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by first responders. Since 2001, she has served on multiple Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Teams as a Senior Peer and Executive Board Member, dedicating her career to supporting the behavioral health and resilience of emergency services personnel.
Just Cravener, Certified Recovery Specialist
Lived-Experience
Justin Cravener is a Certified Recovery Specialist and Certified Recovery Support Supervisor with extensive experience in peer support and community-based recovery services. A person in long-term recovery, Justin draws on his lived experience to foster trust and connection with those he serves. He has worked in both clinical and community settings, including helping to open and operate a local recovery drop-in center. Justin is also a Forensic Peer Support Specialist and an active member of several community and criminal justice advisory boards, where he advocates for recovery, reentry, and connection as the foundation for lasting success.
Brittney Fuhrman, MPH
Public Health Specialist
Brittney Fuhrman, MPH, is a Public Health Specialist with the Emergency Health Services Federation’s Public Health Division. Her work focuses on the intersection of public health and EMS, with an emphasis on substance use disorder stigma reduction, recovery-oriented systems of care, and provider resiliency. In her role, Brittney supports the planning, implementation, and expansion of CORE trainings across the region. She brings a public health lens to EMS practice, recognizing first responders as a critical point of contact for prevention, early intervention, and long-term recovery, while also prioritizing workforce well-being and burnout prevention.