About HCET
Health Care Education & Training strengthens the workforce that delivers reproductive and sexual health education and care across the Midwest. We work behind the scenes so the organizations that know their communities best can do their best work.
Our mission
HCET strengthens reproductive and sexual health in communities.
Reproductive and sexual health are central to the human experience and an essential social determinant of health. Access to clear, accurate and culturally responsive health information helps people stay healthy, safe and informed. When this information is missing or inconsistent, communities face higher risks of preventable illness, unintended pregnancies, trauma and barriers that affect education, finances and long-term well-being.
Who we serve
HCET supports the professionals and systems that serve our communities every day. These organizations know their communities best. We strengthen their work with trusted guidance, training and coordination.
Our team
Social workers, educators, a nurse practitioner and program specialists with decades of combined experience in reproductive and sexual health.
Abby Hunt, MSW
CEO
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Abby has been with Health Care Education and Training (HCET) since 2007 and served as the Executive Director since 2014. Her belief in sexual and reproductive health as a critical component of overall health and well-being for all people across the lifespan guides HCET's work. Abby's approach to organizational leadership is participative and encourages true engagement from community partners and staff. Abby and her spouse are the parents of three boys. She loves exercise, the outdoors, reading, and watching her kids do things they love.
Jen Stephenson
Director of Operations
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Jen Stephenson has been the Director of Operations at HCET since October 2004. She supervises all financial management processes and systems, including oversight of the annual audit. Jen is a key leader at HCET and a champion for reproductive and sexual health for all. When she is not at HCET, she spends time with her close-knit family and friends, plays golf, and plans parties.
Rebecca James, BA
Director of Community Programs and Partnerships
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Rebecca James joined HCET in September 2019 and serves as Director of Community Programs & Partnerships. In this role, she oversees the coordination and implementation of HCET's adolescent and justice system initiatives. With a deep commitment to youth development, Rebecca has dedicated her career to creating opportunities that empower young people to make informed, healthy choices. A proud Hoosier, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Indiana University. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys the outdoors, celebrating holidays, and spending time with her spouse and two sons.
Kris Posthuma, MSW
Director of Training and Program Design
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Kris builds practical, value-neutral training and program tools that help youth-serving professionals deliver medically accurate reproductive and sexual health education with confidence. He leads HCET's training strategy, designs curricula and virtual learning, and provides hands-on technical assistance to schools, community organizations, and programs serving system-involved youth. A former HCET facilitator and content co-author, Kris officially joined the team in 2023. He earned his MSW from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Outside the office, you'll find him with his family, cycling, learning how to woodwork, and searching for midcentury modern gems.
Cara Berg Raunick, DNP
Director of Health Strategy and Advancement
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Cara is a doctorally-prepared women's health nurse practitioner (DNP) who joined HCET in 2019. Her expertise includes family planning, sexual health, and trauma-informed care. She has a background as a certified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, and is a fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH). She loves to teach, learn, and build community and feels lucky to work in a space that is so aligned with her values. Outside of work, she loves musical theatre, spending time with friends and family, and watching her amazing daughter grow.
Doug Cope-Barnes, LCSW
Senior Evaluation Manager
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Doug has been a valued team member with HCET since December 2012. Prior to HCET, he was the Director of Foster Care Services at Children's Bureau, Inc. Currently, Doug tracks project outcomes and performance measures to ensure program quality and effectiveness for all HCET Indiana Adolescent Health Projects. He also oversees the tracking of quality assurance and improvement for all of HCET's training and learning opportunities. Doug is a licensed clinical social worker and received his master's degree in social work from Indiana University in 2001. When he is not swinging from rooftops or fighting crime, Doug enjoys traveling with his husband, reading and collecting comic books, and playing with his dogs.
Adelle White, MEd
Project Manager
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Adelle joined HCET in 2023 as a project manager. Prior to joining HCET, she lived and worked in Chicago as a health educator at a free clinic and taught sexual health classes in Chicago Public Schools. Adelle holds a master's in education from Marquette University, and lives in Milwaukee with her husband and two friendly cats, Karen and Phil. Outside of work, she loves walking by the lake, trivia, karaoke, volunteering with Milwaukee's Northwest Fresh Food Access Council, learning to grow her own bell peppers, finding new hiking trails, and camping.
Lucy Nguyen, MEd
Virtual Learning Manager
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Lucy Nguyen designs and develops modules on our virtual learning platform. She is originally from Saigon, Vietnam, and immigrated to the US in the 1980s. Ask her about her pirate stories! She was a teacher for 12 years and developed a passion for service learning and educational equity. She has a master's degree from Purdue in learning design and technology and multiple bachelor's degrees from UCLA. She enjoys drawing, writing, gardening, and spending time with her husband, two sons, dog, cat, and chickens.
HCET is supported by an interdisciplinary Board of Directors who bring their expertise to the organizational mission.
Frequently asked questions
What we do, who we serve and how HCET is funded. Have another question? Call (317) 247-9008 or email info@hcet.org.
What does HCET do?
HCET strengthens the workforce that delivers reproductive and sexual health education and care across the Midwest. We equip professionals with evidence-based information, learning-centered skills and ongoing professional support through training, technical assistance and program development. This supports communities in providing accurate, consistent education and compassionate care.
Why is HCET's work important?
Reproductive and sexual health are central to the human experience and an essential social determinant of health. When clear, accurate, culturally responsive information is missing or inconsistent, communities face higher risks of preventable illness, unintended pregnancies, trauma and barriers that affect education, finances and long-term well-being. HCET supports the educators, healthcare providers and systems that work directly with individuals and families, strengthening their ability to improve outcomes and reduce gaps in care and support.
Who does HCET serve?
HCET supports the professionals and systems that serve our communities every day: schools and universities, clinics and hospitals, youth-serving organizations, health departments, community organizations, child welfare, juvenile justice and adult corrections. These organizations know their communities best. HCET strengthens their work behind the scenes by providing trusted guidance, training and coordination.
Why does medical accuracy matter in reproductive and sexual health education?
Medical accuracy is foundational to public health and to reproductive and sexual health education. Inconsistent, outdated or incomplete information can lead to preventable harm and mistrust. HCET provides current, credible, science-based content so educators, providers, parents and caregivers can rely on information that is accurate, age-appropriate and aligned with best practices.
Why does HCET work across the lifespan?
Reproductive and sexual health evolve across the lifespan, from before birth through childhood, adolescence, adulthood and aging. HCET helps caregivers, educators and providers deliver accurate, respectful, culturally responsive and age-appropriate information at every stage of life.
How does HCET improve reproductive and sexual health and education outcomes?
HCET strengthens the people doing the work. When educators and providers have evidence-based information, skills that help learners retain, recall and apply knowledge, and ongoing implementation support, communities experience better health outcomes; more consistent and coordinated care; reduced disparities in reproductive health indicators; safer, trauma-informed environments; and organizations and systems that treat reproductive and sexual health as an essential piece of overall health and wellness.
What is the Midwest Trauma-Informed Training Center?
The Midwest Trauma-Informed Training Center (MTITC) is HCET's regional hub for trauma-informed education, workforce development and connection. It brings educators, providers and systems together to build safer, more responsive environments where people can learn, heal and thrive.
How is HCET funded?
HCET receives support through grants, contracts, private donations and philanthropic partnerships. Funders invest in HCET because of its multiplier effect: one training can strengthen dozens of professionals who reach thousands of individuals and families.
Is HCET affiliated with political organizations?
No. HCET is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization.
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