Essence Hairston, MSW, LCSWA, LCASA, CSI

Essence received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a concentration of Criminology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Most of her experience consist of intensive substance abuse treatment, with eleven years of working in residential treatment programs. She is focused on intersectionality of maternal and perinatal substance use and mood disorders, adverse childhood experiences, reproductive justice, and integrative health care models that includes a social justice lens. Her primary roles at UNC Horizons includes management of the Wake County behavioral and physical health team, marketing and systems linkage, and oversight of grant funding.