06/10/2026
Prevention Professional of the Year Award Winner!
Sent out today via email (below) by the Texas Certification Board (TCBAP).
Dr. Sherry Peoples-Banks is a Coalition for Behavioral Health - Houston
Board member.
Congratulations are in order! 🎉
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2026 Award Winner
Substance abuse prevention is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time, and its success depends on a workforce of qualified professionals trained in evidence-based practices. Prevention professionals are working all over the world – partnering with parents, community groups, coalitions, faith-based organizations, health care professionals, law enforcement, businesses, and educators – to make a difference in their communities.
Among them are the professionals who go above and beyond, truly standing out in their dedication, intelligence, compassion, and effectiveness. It is those professionals whom the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) wants to recognize.
The Prevention Professional of the Year Award seeks to honor the best of the best: the certified preventionist who best embodies the ideal of the profession and of IC&RC. The Prevention Committee of IC&RC accepts nominations from member boards and then selects the awardee from among the submissions.
This May, the Texas Certification Board conducted a search for the 2026 Texas Prevention Professional of the Year through nominations from the field. We received several nominations that were reviewed by previous winners.
And the winner is……………
Dr. Sherry Peoples-Banks
Regional Alignment Coordinator
Prevention Resource Center Region 6
Phoenix House Texas
Dr. Sherry Peoples-Banks has over 17 years of experience in substance use prevention and behavioral health. Her career progression at Phoenix House Texas includes roles as Prevention Specialist, Youth and Family Case Manager, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern, and currently Regional Alignment Coordinator for Prevention Resource Center Region 6.
She leads regional collaboration across 13 counties in Southeast Texas, uniting stakeholders, coalitions, schools, public health professionals, and community organizations to strengthen prevention systems. Dr. Peoples-Banks has developed and implemented regional initiatives focused on reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors, while promoting data-driven decision=making and workforce development. She also coordinates large-scale community events, trainings, and strategic partnerships that enhance prevention outcomes.
As the Texas winner of the 2026 Prevention Professional of the Year, Sherry’s nomination will be forwarded to the IC&RC for consideration for the international award!
Sherry will be recognized at the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals Conference awards banquet on Friday, September 11 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio. Join me in congratulating Sherry Peoples-Banks, 2026 Texas Prevention Professional of the Year!
Julie Stevens, MPS, ACPS, ICPS
Chair, Prevention Committee
Texas Certification Board
