Meet our Trainers

Shannon Belton, MPH, CAADC 

Shannon Belton is a Certified Advanced Drug and Alcohol Counselor with experience in the treatment field since 2014, working across the full continuum of care including inpatient, outpatient, and correctional settings. She spent six years overseeing hospital-based operations focused on connecting patients to substance use treatment following overdose. She also served as clinical director of a men’s halfway house in Central Pennsylvania.

She has delivered continuing education and trainings on topics such as anti-stigma practices for medical professionals, treatment planning, addiction education for faith-based communities, and medications for opioid use disorder. Shannon has served as a guest lecturer at Lehigh University, presenting on the causes and effects of the opioid crisis. 

In addition, she has facilitated support groups for individuals raising children impacted by the opioid crisis and has a particular interest in grief and bereavement, related to stigmatized causes of death, such as overdose and suicide. Her research includes exploring attitudes toward tele-health services among substance use populations, and perceptions of democracy promotion operations among GWOT-era veterans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped with data collection efforts related to Broadstreet’s COVID-19 tracking. She has also contributed to DEI committees and implementation teams for two electronic medical record systems.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Policy, as well as a Master of Public Health with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences, both from Temple University.

With her training partner Zachary Cross, she has trained hundreds of people how to react as a bystander to an overdose emergency.

Zachary Cross, CPS, CRS

Zachary Cross is a Certified Recovery Specialist and a person in long-term recovery, bringing both professional expertise and lived experience to his work. Over the past eight years, he has worked across a range of substance use treatment settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and community-based programs, supporting individuals at every stage of their recovery journey. His approach is grounded in empathy, harm reduction, and meeting people where they are, with a strong focus on building trust and supporting long-term stability.

He currently serves as the Director of Crisis Services at a domestic violence shelter in Pennsylvania, where he oversees crisis response, safety planning, and supportive services for individuals and families impacted by violence. In this role, he collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure care is trauma-informed and client-centered, while also helping to strengthen and expand programming. Zachary has also worked as a Male Engagement Specialist and drug and alcohol interventionist, focusing on addressing gaps in services for men, particularly those impacted by trauma. He is passionate about creating spaces where men feel comfortable engaging in conversations about mental health and recovery, challenging traditional norms, and encouraging healthier coping strategies and emotional expression.

Zachary currently serves on Public Health Everything’s Board where he serves as the Director of Lived Experience, ensuring that the voices of the recovering community are a top priority.

Zachary is a highly sought-after speaker, known for his ability to connect with diverse audiences and break down complex topics in a clear, relatable way. Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience, he engages everyone from community members to professionals with authenticity, humor, and practical, real-world strategies.

To book a training, please email ShannonBeltonMPH@Gmail.com or call 971.808.1991