JOHNSON CITY— East Tennessee State University psychologist Dr. Andrea Clements is a recipient of the 2020 Harold Love Outstanding Community Involvement Award from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC).

Clements, a professor and assistant chair of curriculum in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Psychology, is praised for her work in the community and region in two areas: promoting trauma-informed practices in court, police, education and mental health systems, and collaboration with faith-based groups to address the problem of opioid use and addiction.

Beginning in 2015, Clements partnered with Becky Haas, then of the Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) and now of Ballad Health, to implement trauma-informed practices in various Johnson City service agencies. Through this effort, more than 4,500 professionals throughout the region have heard Clements’ talks on the effect of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on brain development, behavior and interpersonal relationships. These talks have led many to incorporate trauma-informed care approaches in their agencies.

Working with the JCPD and the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Clements played a leading role in hosting a regional forum showcasing advances in trauma-informed care in the fall of 2018.  Following the event, SAMHSA officials called the forum “a national model other cities should follow.”

As part of her work with Haas, Clements has worked directly with those in need of care, in addition to educating professionals.

For five years, she served as a mentor through a reentry program for felony offenders with addictions, bringing a home-cooked lunch each Monday and spending time with participants.

In addition, Clements has been instrumental in engaging faith-based organizations in the fight against the opioid epidemic in southern Appalachia.  She has been instrumental in founding two non-profits to mobilize the faith-based community at the individual church level to integrate their resources to counteract the opioid crisis.  She helped plan and coordinate the 2018 Holy Friendship Summit, which drew approximately 450 clergy, clinicians and others together to discuss needs and strategies involved in combating addiction in the region.

In recognition of her efforts, ETSU presented Clements the 2019 Distinguished Faculty Award in Service.

Clements was one of five faculty and staff recipients of the Love Award from across the state this year; five students received Love Awards, as well.

To win the award, nominees must make a lasting and meaningful impact on their communities, must show length and degree of service, must serve above and beyond the call of duty and must be valued by peers and community members, according to the award’s criteria. Each winner, selected by a task force of institutional and THEC representatives, receives a $1,000 cash prize.

Elected to the Tennessee General Assembly in 1968, Representative Harold Love Sr., for whom the award is named, was known for his compassion and good humor. A prominent Nashville insurance salesman, he graduated from Tennessee State University and later became the recipient of the school’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. He was known for his concern for the welfare of his community.

Community service recognition programs for higher education students, faculty and staff were created in Tennessee through legislation enacted by the General Assembly in 1991. In 1997, the awards were named for Love, who was instrumental in passing the enabling legislation.