In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with Jen Slusser-MacTernan, Director of Outreach and Talent Development at Horizon Treatment Services, to explore what outreach, storytelling, and community engagement really look like in behavioral health.

Jen shares her journey from graphic design and jail-based addiction education to leading outreach, media production, events, and learning initiatives across Horizon’s multi-location organization. The conversation dives into how Horizon approaches marketing not as promotion, but as community outreach, and how that mindset shapes everything they do.

They discuss:
• Horizon’s nearly 50-year history serving Alameda County and beyond
• Rebuilding and strengthening post-COVID
• Their full continuum of care (youth prevention, sobering centers, detox, residential, outpatient)
• How connecting sobering centers directly to detox reduces treatment drop-off
• Using anonymous feedback kiosks and “heard you did this” boards to improve client and staff experience
• Grassroots outreach strategies (schools, health fairs, law enforcement partnerships, internships)
• The power of storytelling through Horizon’s podcast and upcoming story-driven series

Horizon currently operates sobering centers in Santa Clara, Alameda County, Chico, and Albuquerque — expanding access to care while reducing strain on jails and emergency rooms.

If you’re a behavioral health leader, outreach professional, or someone passionate about addiction recovery and community impact, this episode offers practical insight and real-world perspective.

Links mentioned in today's episode: 

🌐 Horizon Treatment Services website-
https://www.horizonservices.org/

📊 Horizon Impact Report-
https://www.horizonservices.org/print/

🎙️ Horizon Podcast:
https://www.horizonservices.org/podcasts/

📱 Follow Horizon on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/horizontreatmentservices/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/horizon-treatment-services/
https://www.facebook.com/horizonservicesandtreatment