Products and Resources Catalog

In the aftermath of a tornado, the effects on mental and emotional health can be just as profound as the physical devastation. That's why our team is committed to equipping prevention professionals and their partners with the resources to support the communities they serve when natural disasters strike. We understand that addressing trauma and promoting mental wellness are critical components of a post-disaster response. That's why we, with the help of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) have curated a collection of online resources suitable for individuals across the lifespan; specifically designed to assist in navigating the emotional aftermath of a tornado. Resources to Support Children Parent Guidelines for Helping Children after a Tornado Tips for Parents on Media Coverage of the Tornado Questions to Ask Your Children About the Tornado After the Tornado: Helping Young Children Heal Teacher Guidelines for Helping Students after a Tornado Trinka and Sam and the Swirling Twirling Wind—e-book for young children (En Español) Tornado Response for Kids: Right After a Tornado Tornado Response for Teens: Right After a Tornado Helping Youth after a Community Trauma: Tips for Educators(En Español) Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event(En Español) Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents(En Español) The Power of Parenting: How to Help Your Child After a Parent or Caregiver Dies Once I Was Very Very Scared(En Español)  – children’s book for young children Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing(En Español) (for responders)   Psychological First Aid The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (PFA). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. The PFA Wallet Card (En Español) provides a quick reminder of the core actions. The PFA online training course is also available on the NCTSN Learning Center. PFA handouts include: Parent Tips for Helping Infants and Toddlers(En Español) Parent Tips for Helping Preschoolers(En Español) Parent Tips for Helping School-Age Children(En Español) Parent Tips for Helping Adolescents(En Español) Tips for Adults(En Español) Mobile Apps Help Kids Cope PFA Mobile SAMHSA Behavioral Health Disaster Response App Bounce Back Now(En Español) Disaster Helpline SAMHSA has a Disaster Distress Helpline—call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365.

The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. The May 2024 issue features content celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Hepatitis C Awareness Month, and National Prevention Week. You will also find links to upcoming trainings focused on the therapeutic benefits of humor in treatment and recovery, prevention efforts in rural communities, and trauma-informed care for transition-age youth. Make sure you're subscribed to our email contact list so you never miss a month of The Great Lakes Current newsletter, and thank you for reading!

Webinar Description The association between chronic exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and poor behavioral health outcomes across the lifespan is well-established, but ACEs are preventable. This webinar will explore the evidence supporting upstream strategies that can prevent ACEs from happening in the first place as well as positive childhood experiences (PCEs) that can mitigate the harms of ACEs. Recent data sources that can be used to monitor ACEs and PCEs at the state-level to guide prevention and evaluation activities will also be explored.   Webinar Objectives By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Explain the influence of ACEs and PCEs on risk behaviors using a lifecourse perspective; Describe primary prevention strategies that can prevent ACEs; Describe how PCEs can buffer the impact of ACEs on behavioral health outcomes; Identify state-level data sources that can be used to monitor ACEs and PCEs.   Presenters Amanda Haboush-Deloye earned her Ph.D. in experimental psychology and her Master of Arts in clinical psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Amanda's research background is on mental health in adolescent, adult, and older adult populations. She also has a particular interest in improving research methods to be more culturally competent. As a researcher at NICRP, she has designed and implemented many research projects regarding children's physical health, mental health, and education, as well as children's advocacy initiatives such as Every Child Matters in Nevada and Prevent Child Abuse Nevada. Being a Las Vegas native, Amanda aims to remain in Nevada and work with NICRP to create a healthy community where families and children are a priority.   Kristin Clements-Nolle received her MPH in Behavioral Sciences and Ph.D in Epidemiology, both from the University of California, Berkeley. Kristen is a nationally recognized adolescent health researcher and has published extensively on the impact of ACE exposure on health outcomes across the lifespan. She also investigates social, community, and family factors that can prevent ACE exposure and/or mitigate the impact on behavioral health outcomes. Kristen is currently a Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health and the principal investigator for a five year grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that will focus on preventing ACEs and promoting positive childhood experiences in Nevada.   Post Webinar Materials Preventing ACEs and Their Associated Harms Recording Preventing ACEs and Their Associated Harms Slide Deck   Questions Please email Reagan Hart at ([email protected]) for any questions.

The Role of Evidence-Based Prevention Strategies in Helping Address Addiction Robert Rogers, LADC, CCS, PS-A, LSW May 1, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION In this session, we will review evidence-based strategies for substance use prevention addressing alcohol, cannabis, vaping, and prescription drugs that local coalitions and prevention providers can implement in their communities. We will examine interest groups to collaborate and “work with” as we work on the prevention of substance use and discuss the importance of language in reducing stigma and bias related to substance use and the people impacted by the use of substances. LEARNING OBJECTIVES - Identify a minimum of 2 strategies for substance use prevention. (Substances covered include alcohol, cannabis, vaping, and prescription drugs.) - Identify a minimum of 3 interest groups to collaborate with on evidence-based prevention strategies. - Describe the importance of language in reducing stigma. PRESENTERS Robert Rogers, LADC, CCS, LSW, PS-A, has worked with youth and families throughout Somerset and Kennebec Counties since 1994. Robert works for Kennebec Behavioral Health as Director of Substance Use Prevention and Grant Services. He worked with Somerset Public Health as the Drug-Free Communities Program Coordinator, completing ten years of coalition work. Robert is a certified Prime for Life instructor and the State of Maine certified Responsible Beverage Seller trainer for the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operations. Robert also coordinates Respect ME, a Certified Domestic Violence Intervention Program for female survivors of domestic violence who used resistive violence with their intimate partners. Robert was appointed to the state Substance Abuse Service Commission, served by appointment on the state's Maine Opiate Collaborative Prevention and Harm Reduction team, served as Chair for the Maine Prevention Specialists Certification Board, and serves as a Maine representative on the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center’s Advisory Board. Additionally, Robert is on the Board of Directors for AdCare of Maine and Sunset Home, a non-profit assisted living facility for older women in Waterville, Maine. Robert is an Adjunct Professor of Substance Use Prevention at the University of Maine at Farmington. Most recently, Governor Mills appointed Robert to the State of Maine Board of Alcohol & Drug Counselors and serves as the board's Chair. In 2021, Robert was awarded the Neill E. Miner Memorial Prevention Award, and in 2014 was awarded Prevention Provider of the Year by the Maine Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse.  

In this Issue Evidence-Based Strategies to Decrease Alcohol Consumption Epi Corner: The Value of Systems Thinking in Adolescent Overdose Prevention What's Happening Around the Region? Free Logic Model Technical Assistance Webinar: Mobilizing Marginalized Communities to Prevent Substance Misuse What's New? New Prevention Data Source for Rural Communities

The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. The April 2024 issue spotlights content celebrating National Minority Health Month and Alcohol Awareness Month. It also features links to upcoming trainings focused on supporting Black students experiencing racial trauma, harnessing AI for substance misuse prevention, and process improvement. Make sure you're subscribed to our email contact list so you never miss a month of The Great Lakes Current newsletter, and thank you for reading!

Building Bridges: Fostering Community-Campus Collaboration for Substance Use Prevention, Harm Reduction, & Recovery   Join the Southeast PTTC for a lively discussion on the power of collaboration between college campuses and their surrounding communities to support substance misuse prevention, harm reduction and recovery. Our panel of regional experts shared insights, best practices, and success stories, empowering participants with the knowledge needed to implement successful initiatives.   Supplemental Resources: Presentation Slides   Learning Objectives: Understand the significance of collaborative approaches between college campuses and surrounding communities to support prevention, harm reduction, and recovery among youth and young adults. Identify key strategies for building collaborative college campus and community partnerships to address substance use among youth and young adults. Learn about prevention, harm reduction, and recovery initiatives being implemented on college campuses from regional experts. Identify strategies and tools available to implement effective substance misuse prevention, harm reduction, and recovery initiatives within college campuses and surrounding communities.   Presented by: Dr. Lori Ann Eldridge is an assistant professor at East Carolina University, North Carolina. She is a public health implementation scientist specializing in substance use. Her research is dedicated to examining the accessibility of prevention, treatment, and harm reduction services for substance use in rural and underserved communities. Currently, she is the Principal Investigator of Pitt County Coalition on Substance Use Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Opioid and Stimulant Grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With this work she is bridging partnerships between the local community and East Carolina University campus to prevent youth and young adult substance use and related harms. She has worked with students to expand access to naloxone and other harm reduction strategies at East Carolina University and is a co-faculty mentor for the Team Awareness Combatting Overdose at East Carolina University. Kayce Matthews is the Director of the Coalition for Healthy and Safe Campus Communities (CHASCo) in Tennessee. In this role she oversees the collection of higher education institutions and professionals in Tennessee who are working to address issues of campus health and safety. The work of CHASCO includes providing professional development & networking opportunities, providing assessment tools to campuses, and providing resources and funding for evidence-based prevention programing. Kayce joined CHASCo with over 10 years of experience in prevention and advocacy work. Before joining CHASCo, Kayce worked for the TN Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. In this role, she founded both the TN Campus Prevention Project and the TN Statewide Sexual Assault Prevention Committee. Previous to the TN Coalition, she served as the Associate Director of the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center at Vanderbilt University. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Trevecca University, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Stephens College, and is a Certified Prevention Specialist. Annette Newton-Baldwin is the Assistant Director of the LION UP Recovery Program (Collegiate Recovery Program) and Intervention. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She serves the Association of Recovery in Higher Education as the Southeast Region Representative. Currently serves as Project Director for the Louisiana Collegiate Recovery Expansion Grant. Reese Hiatt is an undergraduate student at East Carolina University, North Carolina. She is a marketing major and Co-President of Team Awareness Combatting Overdose. She is dedicated to advocating for those experiencing substance use disorder and making a positive difference in the amount of harm reduction resources available to those in need.  

Preventing Underage Alcohol Use Part 2: Strategies and Recommendations for the Field of Prevention Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip, and Olivia Stuart, LMSW April 11, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will provide information on available evidence-based and culturally responsive prevention strategies for addressing underage alcohol use. It will cover both environmental and behavioral interventions, as well as opportunities to implement or expand policies that can address the social determinants of health. The webinar will review general strategies for underage alcohol use as well as those specifically focused on early adolescents and/or college-age youth. Lastly, it will describe how to ensure cultural responsiveness is incorporated into youth alcohol prevention efforts and programming. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Recognize the importance of providing evidence-based culturally responsive alcohol misuse prevention strategies. Describe evidence-based environmental strategies for preventing underage alcohol use. Describe evidence-based behavioral strategies for preventing underage alcohol use among early adolescents and college-age youth. Explain how to ensure cultural responsiveness in youth alcohol prevention programs. PRESENTERS Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip holds a Masters of Science in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a Postgraduate Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh. She offers significant professional experience in the fields of public policy development and analysis, criminal justice research, data collection and analysis, program development, and performance management.   Olivia Stuart, MSW supports the training & technical assistance (T/TA) team in the development and delivery of knowledge translation products across multiple projects. In this capacity, she assists with webinars, literature reviews, and infographics on a range of behavioral health topics. Prior to joining Carnevale Associates, Olivia interned with the Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center where she supported projects to reduce inequities in the criminal justice system. Olivia also served as a Graduate Research Supervisor at George Mason University and worked for several years in LGBTQ+ advocacy and fundraising. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from George Mason University.  

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features a PTTC network event "Climate Change from a Prevention Perspective", Exploring Root Causes of Substance Misuse through Stories, Alcohol Awareness Month and awareness campaigns for April, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

Preventing Underage Alcohol Use Part 1: Identifying and Understanding the Data Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip, and Olivia Stuart, LMSW April 9, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will provide a broad overview of the current state of underage drinking and related prevention efforts. It will begin by reviewing the most common data sources for underage alcohol consumption and discuss opportunities to improve and expand data collection efforts. The webinar will then summarize the most recent data on alcohol use prevalence and patterns, as well as the consequences of use, at the national level and for the Central East region (HHS region 3). It will also describe the research on risk and protective factors for alcohol use among young people. Lastly, it will provide information on how the social determinants of health play a role in underage alcohol use rates. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Describe underage alcohol data sources and opportunities to expand data collection. Explain the scope of underage alcohol use and consequences in the Central East region and nationally. Identify risk and protective factors relevant to underage alcohol use. Recognize the effect of the social determinants of health on underage alcohol use. PRESENTERS Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip holds a Masters of Science in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a Postgraduate Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh. She offers significant professional experience in the fields of public policy development and analysis, criminal justice research, data collection and analysis, program development, and performance management.   Olivia Stuart, MSW supports the training & technical assistance (T/TA) team in the development and delivery of knowledge translation products across multiple projects. In this capacity, she assists with webinars, literature reviews, and infographics on a range of behavioral health topics. Prior to joining Carnevale Associates, Olivia interned with the Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center where she supported projects to reduce inequities in the criminal justice system. Olivia also served as a Graduate Research Supervisor at George Mason University and worked for several years in LGBTQ+ advocacy and fundraising. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from George Mason University.  

Understanding Addiction: Moving Throughout the Spectrum of Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Interventions Robert Rogers, LADC, CCS, PS-A, LSW April 3, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION In this session, we will review the Spectrum of Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Interventions with an emphasis on the transition from prevention to treatment. We will examine the signs and symptoms of substance use disorders through a review of the diagnostic criteria. We’ll look at how the brain is impacted by substance use and impairment at different developmental stages. Finally, we will discuss evidence-based Risk and Protective factors related to substance use and shared Risk and Protective factors. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Identify when my work as a prevention provider ends and referral to treatment begins. Recognize the diagnostic criteria, signs, and symptoms for substance use disorders. Identify a minimum of 3 Risk Factors for developing a substance use disorder and 3 Protective Factors for reducing the risk of developing a substance use disorder. Describe how the brain is impacted by substance use and impairment. PRESENTERS Robert Rogers, LADC, CCS, LSW, PS-A, has worked with youth and families throughout Somerset and Kennebec Counties since 1994.  Robert works for Kennebec Behavioral Health as Director of Substance Use Prevention and Grant Services. He worked with Somerset Public Health as the Drug-Free Communities Program Coordinator, completing ten years of coalition work.  Robert is a certified Prime for Life instructor and the State of Maine certified Responsible Beverage Seller trainer for the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operations. Robert also coordinates Respect ME, a Certified Domestic Violence Intervention Program for female survivors of domestic violence who used resistive violence with their intimate partners.  Robert was appointed to the state Substance Abuse Service Commission, served by appointment on the state's Maine Opiate Collaborative Prevention and Harm Reduction team, served as Chair for the Maine Prevention Specialists Certification Board, and serves as a Maine representative on the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center’s Advisory Board.  Additionally, Robert is on the Board of Directors for AdCare of Maine and Sunset Home, a non-profit assisted living facility for older women in Waterville, Maine. Robert is an Adjunct Professor of Substance Use Prevention at the University of Maine at Farmington.  Most recently, Governor Mills appointed Robert to the State of Maine Board of Alcohol & Drug Counselors and serves as the board's Chair. In 2021, Robert was awarded the Neill E. Miner Memorial Prevention Award, and in 2014 was awarded Prevention Provider of the Year by the Maine Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse.  

Access free, self-paced online courses through HealtheKnowledge to enhance your substance misuse prevention knowledge and skills.  Upon finishing these courses, participants receive certificates of completion. Don't have a HealtheKnowledge account? Sign up for free and start browsing substance misuse prevention courses.  

  Military-connected youth experience unique challenges that impact their educational and social-emotional learning, putting them at greater risk for substance use and behavioral health challenges. Increasing resiliency by cultivating a culturally competent, supportive environment in schools and communities helps mitigate these challenges. Participants will learn how to enhance existing infrastructure to deliver substance misuse prevention programs to military-connected youth.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Understand the risk factors that make military youth more vulnerable to substance use and behavioral health problems compared to non-military-connected youth. Describe how to increase capacity and readiness to serve military-connected youth. Identify evidence-based practices that support and build resiliency within military-connected youth.   ACCESS OR DOWNLOAD SUPPORTING MATERIALS Presentation Recording, April 11, 2024 Presentation Slides, April 11, 2024   PRESENTER:  Sarah Flowers, CPS Sarah Flowers, CPS, grew up in a military family outside the world’s largest naval base in Virginia Beach, Virginia. As a Gold Star Sibling and military family member, she brings unique perspectives gained from her personal experiences to prevention, empowering individuals, and communities to create and promote healthy environments, lifestyles, and behaviors. She works with state, and national agencies and organizations to develop and coordinate evidence-based strategies to increase resilience within military and veteran families. She specializes in training and consultation on capacity building, community engagement and best practices working with military families.   The Great Lakes A/MH/PTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

Identifying and Mitigating Vicarious Trauma and Staff Burnout Laura Hinds, MSW, LCSW March 28, 2024, 1:00pm-3:00pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION Compassion Fatigue and Burnout not only increase the risk of Vicarious Experiencing challenges for our staff, they endanger those they serve. This event will support supervisors and managers in identifying and addressing the signs and symptoms of Compassion Fatigue and Burnout in an effort to safeguard their staff’s practice and clients’ well-being. This session will include information as well as practical suggestions for intervention. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Recite at least 4 ways in which Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Trauma present in their staff working people living with Substance Use Disorder. Identify the importance of supervision in mitigating and supporting staff who may be experiencing Vicarious Trauma, Compassion Fatigue, or Burnout. Name at least 5 strategies for engaging staff in planning and utilizing Self-Management skills. PRESENTERS Laura Hinds, MSW, LCSW, is a clinical social worker with experience in medical, behavioral and mental health settings. Laura has had the pleasure of working with high acuity special needs populations and their providers for over 22 years. An alumna and instructor at Penn’s School of Social Policy and Practice for 13 years, and Bryn Mawr’s School of Social Work and Social Research’s for the past 4 years, Laura has supported the learning and education of new social workers, veterans in the field, and their interdisciplinary partners. With a focus on trauma, human and gender development, racial equity, and crisis intervention Laura supports special needs populations and those who serve them.  

Identifying and Addressing Substance Use Trends in the United States and the Central East Region Part 3: How to Determine Priorities and Develop a Public Health Response to Emerging Trends Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip, and Olivia Stuart, LMSW March 26, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar, part three in a series, will discuss the importance of using needs assessments to identify and prioritize emerging trends. It will describe the key steps to implementing a needs assessment and review opportunities to overcome challenges. The webinar will also examine various prioritization techniques to determine the relevance and importance of emerging trends. Additionally, the webinar will provide a step-by-step walkthrough of how to address emerging trends through the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF). Lastly, the webinar will also explain how substance use prevention should be and is a critical part of a public health approach. As part of this discussion, it will describe public health approach best practices that can help address emerging substance use trends. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Describe how to conduct a needs assessment and overcome assessment challenges Summarize techniques for prioritizing emerging trends Explain the steps to addressing identified emerging trends through the SPF Recognize how to use a public health approach to address emerging trends PRESENTERS Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip holds a Masters of Science in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a Postgraduate Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh. She offers significant professional experience in the fields of public policy development and analysis, criminal justice research, data collection and analysis, program development, and performance management.   Olivia Stuart, MSW supports the training & technical assistance (T/TA) team in the development and delivery of knowledge translation products across multiple projects. In this capacity, she assists with webinars, literature reviews, and infographics on a range of behavioral health topics. Prior to joining Carnevale Associates, Olivia interned with the Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center where she supported projects to reduce inequities in the criminal justice system. Olivia also served as a Graduate Research Supervisor at George Mason University and worked for several years in LGBTQ+ advocacy and fundraising. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from George Mason University.  

Identifying and Addressing Substance Use Trends in the United States and the Central East Region Part 2: The Latest Emerging Substances of Concern Josh Esrick, MPP, and Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip March 21, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar, part two in a series, will examine data on four primary emerging substance use trends in the Central East region and around the United States: Xylazine, Nitazenes, Tianeptine, and Hallucinogens. This presentation provides information on what these substances are, their health impacts, and available data on use and consequences. It will also discuss opportunities and strategies for prevention professionals to learn more about the scope of these and other emerging trends in their communities. The webinar will identify potential data sources and techniques for collecting primary data. Additionally, the webinar will summarize harm reduction strategies that may be helpful in addressing these emerging substances of concern. Lastly, the presentation will identify opportunities to improve the public health response to substance use trends. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Describe the available data on Xylazine, Nitazenes, Tianeptine, and Hallucinogens as well as their consequences Recognize data sources and primary data collection methods Identify harm reduction strategies related to substance use Explain strategies for developing a culturally responsive and relevant public health approach to substance use PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (T/TA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of T/TA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to T/TA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.   Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip holds a Masters of Science in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a Postgraduate Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh. She offers significant professional experience in the fields of public policy development and analysis, criminal justice research, data collection and analysis, program development, and performance management.    

In this Issue Collegiate Network Aims to Reduce Substance Misuse on Arkansas Campuses Epi Corner: Youth in the Juvenile Justice System What's Happening Around the Region? Free Logic Model Technical Assistance Webinar: Mobilizing Marginalized Communities to Prevention Substance Misuse What's New? Using Artificial Intelligence in Prevention

Identifying and Addressing Substance Use Trends in the United States and the Central East Region Part 1: Updates on Key Substance Use Trends Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip, and Olivia Stuart, LMSW March 19, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar, part one in a series, will provide a broad overview of the most recent data on emerging substance use trends in the Central East region and around the United States. Among other topics, it will cover the current status of the opioid epidemic, changes in cocaine and methamphetamine use and consequences, and underage alcohol and vaping product trends. As part of this discussion, the webinar will summarize research findings on the causes behind the trends. The webinar will also discuss why it is important for prevention professionals to be aware of emerging trends and incorporating them into their strategic planning efforts. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Explain the importance of incorporating emerging trend needs into strategic planning efforts Describe the scope and impacts of key substance use trends in the region and the United States Recognize the influence of the social determinants of health Identify the risk and protective factors on emerging trends PRESENTERS Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip holds a Masters of Science in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a Postgraduate Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh. She offers significant professional experience in the fields of public policy development and analysis, criminal justice research, data collection and analysis, program development, and performance management. Olivia Stuart, MSW  supports the training & technical assistance (T/TA) team in the development and delivery of knowledge translation products across multiple projects. In this capacity, she assists with webinars, literature reviews, and infographics on a range of behavioral health topics. Prior to joining Carnevale Associates, Olivia interned with the Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center where she supported projects to reduce inequities in the criminal justice system. Olivia also served as a Graduate Research Supervisor at George Mason University and worked for several years in LGBTQ+ advocacy and fundraising. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from George Mason University.  

This 90-minute webinar will explore national and state level data points from middle and high school youth to make the case that Prevention Works!  We will discuss the need to maintain, expand, and sustain our efforts of implementing tested and effective substance misuse prevention programs. The session will also focus on areas where we have not seen prevention success and a call for action to improve prevention among 18-25-year-old young adults.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explore Monitoring the Future and some state trend data that have demonstrated decreasing overall trends in substance use among high school age youth. Identify three websites that provide information on the tested and effective prevention programs Identify areas of focus for the prevention field that need attention based on state and national data points   ACCESS OR DOWNLOAD SUPPORTING MATERIALS Presentation Recording, March 20, 2024 Presentation Slides, March 20, 2024   PRESENTER Kevin P. Haggerty, MSW, PhD, is an emeritus Professor of Prevention at the University of Washington School of Social Work. He is the former director of the Social Development Research Group where he specialized in the delivery of prevention programs at the community, school and family level. For over three decades, he has focused on developing innovative ways to organize the scientific knowledge base for prevention so that parents, communities and schools can better identify, assess, and prioritize customized approaches that meet their needs. He has served as principal investigator on a variety of intervention-focused federally funded grants.   The Great Lakes A/MH/PTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. The March 2024 issue spotlights content celebrating Women's History Month and National Social Work Month. It also features updated versions of the Sustainability Planning in Prevention Guidebook and Sustainability Planning in Prevention Toolkit, as well as upcoming trainings focused on provider well-being and culturally responsive services for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) clients. As always, you will also find links to all scheduled events and trainings hosted by the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC! Make sure you're subscribed to our email contact list so you never miss a month of The Great Lakes Current newsletter, and thank you for reading!

Lunch and Learn Series: Mastering Qualitative Research Skills Session 5: Data Storytelling Josh Esrick, MPP March 15, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm EST The Central East & Southeast PTTCs are pleased to present this week-long Lunch & Learn Series in collaboration with the Southeast Regional SPTAC Team. OVERALL SERIES DESCRIPTION Embark on a transformative journey to master the art of qualitative research in our Lunch and Learn Series. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your research journey, these five one-hour sessions are designed to enhance your skills in facilitating focus groups, conducting one-on-one interviews, formulating insightful questions, navigating environmental scans and asset mapping, and finally, mastering the art of data storytelling. Join us as we explore the depths of qualitative research, equipping you with the tools and techniques to unlock valuable insights and tell compelling stories with your data. Session Description: Uncover the secrets of successful focus group facilitation in this session. From creating a welcoming atmosphere to managing group dynamics, learn the essentials of guiding discussions that yield valuable qualitative data. SERIES LEARNING OBJECTIVES Develop proficiency in facilitating focus groups and creating an inclusive environment for diverse perspectives. Hone the art of conducting meaningful one-on-one interviews to elicit rich, detailed insights from participants. Acquire the skills to formulate thought-provoking questions that unveil deeper layers of understanding. Explore the methods of environmental scans and asset mapping to identify key factors influencing your research landscape. Master the craft of data storytelling, transforming raw data into compelling narratives that resonate with your audience. SESSION 5 COURSE DESCRIPTION Learn the crucial skill of turning raw data into compelling narratives. From structuring your story to visualizing data, this session will empower you to communicate your research findings in a way that captivates and resonates with your audience. PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (T/TA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of T/TA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to T/TA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.  

Lunch and Learn Series: Mastering Qualitative Research Skills Session 4: Environmental Scans and Asset Mapping Josh Esrick, MPP March 14, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm EST The Central East & Southeast PTTCs are pleased to present this week-long Lunch & Learn Series in collaboration with the Southeast Regional SPTAC Team. OVERALL SERIES DESCRIPTION Embark on a transformative journey to master the art of qualitative research in our Lunch and Learn Series. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your research journey, these five one-hour sessions are designed to enhance your skills in facilitating focus groups, conducting one-on-one interviews, formulating insightful questions, navigating environmental scans and asset mapping, and finally, mastering the art of data storytelling. Join us as we explore the depths of qualitative research, equipping you with the tools and techniques to unlock valuable insights and tell compelling stories with your data. Session Description: Uncover the secrets of successful focus group facilitation in this session. From creating a welcoming atmosphere to managing group dynamics, learn the essentials of guiding discussions that yield valuable qualitative data. SERIES LEARNING OBJECTIVES Develop proficiency in facilitating focus groups and creating an inclusive environment for diverse perspectives. Hone the art of conducting meaningful one-on-one interviews to elicit rich, detailed insights from participants. Acquire the skills to formulate thought-provoking questions that unveil deeper layers of understanding. Explore the methods of environmental scans and asset mapping to identify key factors influencing your research landscape. Master the craft of data storytelling, transforming raw data into compelling narratives that resonate with your audience. SESSION 4 COURSE DESCRIPTION Navigate the landscape of environmental scans and asset mapping as a tool for getting to know your community, while also discovering assets that can be leveraged during the implementation and sustainability phases of your prevention efforts. PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (T/TA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of T/TA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to T/TA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.    

Lunch and Learn Series: Mastering Qualitative Research Skills Session 3: Formulating Questions Nicole Augustine, MPH, MCHES, CPS, and Kristen Kidd, MA, CPS March 13, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm EST The Central East & Southeast PTTCs are pleased to present this week-long Lunch & Learn Series in collaboration with the Southeast Regional SPTAC Team. OVERALL SERIES DESCRIPTION Embark on a transformative journey to master the art of qualitative research in our Lunch and Learn Series. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your research journey, these five one-hour sessions are designed to enhance your skills in facilitating focus groups, conducting one-on-one interviews, formulating insightful questions, navigating environmental scans and asset mapping, and finally, mastering the art of data storytelling. Join us as we explore the depths of qualitative research, equipping you with the tools and techniques to unlock valuable insights and tell compelling stories with your data. Session Description: Uncover the secrets of successful focus group facilitation in this session. From creating a welcoming atmosphere to managing group dynamics, learn the essentials of guiding discussions that yield valuable qualitative data. SERIES LEARNING OBJECTIVES Develop proficiency in facilitating focus groups and creating an inclusive environment for diverse perspectives. Hone the art of conducting meaningful one-on-one interviews to elicit rich, detailed insights from participants. Acquire the skills to formulate thought-provoking questions that unveil deeper layers of understanding. Explore the methods of environmental scans and asset mapping to identify key factors influencing your research landscape. Master the craft of data storytelling, transforming raw data into compelling narratives that resonate with your audience. SESSION 3 COURSE DESCRIPTION Craft questions that go beyond the surface and extract meaningful information. Explore the art and science of question formulation, ensuring your queries lead to insightful responses. Community change and impact starts with being able to understand the root problem, so that we can work alongside communities to create solutions. PRESENTERS Nicole Augustine, MPH, MCHES, PS is the owner of RIZE Consultants, a business focused on providing consulting services to businesses and community organizations. Nicole received her B.A. in Sociology from Cornell University and her Master of Public Health from The George Washington University School of Public Health. Throughout her career in public health, she has focused her work on understanding health disparities and social inequality. She’s a passionate public health consultant with experience providing strategic planning services to address community substance misuse issues.   Kristin Kidd MA, CPS, is the Co-Coordinator of the Southeast Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) at Wake Forest University School of Medicine where she manages the Center’s training and technical assistance for the substance misuse prevention professionals. Her focus area is on environmental strategies, specifically local policy change. Kristin is also the Principle Investigator for the North Carolina Behavioral Health Equity Initiative which partners with nine NC community agencies to improve health disparities at the local level. Prior to her employment with Wake Forest, Kristin was the Director of the Tobacco Control Training and Technical Assistant Team at the Colorado School of Public Health in Denver. There her team was charged with providing state-wide advocacy and policy guidance to local health agencies to eliminate tobacco disparities. Kristin partnered with multiple Colorado communities to successfully pass local tobacco control policies such as retailer licensing and expanded smoke-free/vape-free ordinances.  

Lunch and Learn Series: Mastering Qualitative Research Skills Session 2: Facilitating One-on-One Interviews Dorothy Chaney March 12, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm EST The Central East & Southeast PTTCs are pleased to present this week-long Lunch & Learn Series in collaboration with the Southeast Regional SPTAC Team. OVERALL SERIES DESCRIPTION Embark on a transformative journey to master the art of qualitative research in our Lunch and Learn Series. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your research journey, these five one-hour sessions are designed to enhance your skills in facilitating focus groups, conducting one-on-one interviews, formulating insightful questions, navigating environmental scans and asset mapping, and finally, mastering the art of data storytelling. Join us as we explore the depths of qualitative research, equipping you with the tools and techniques to unlock valuable insights and tell compelling stories with your data. Session Description: Uncover the secrets of successful focus group facilitation in this session. From creating a welcoming atmosphere to managing group dynamics, learn the essentials of guiding discussions that yield valuable qualitative data. SERIES LEARNING OBJECTIVES Develop proficiency in facilitating focus groups and creating an inclusive environment for diverse perspectives. Hone the art of conducting meaningful one-on-one interviews to elicit rich, detailed insights from participants. Acquire the skills to formulate thought-provoking questions that unveil deeper layers of understanding. Explore the methods of environmental scans and asset mapping to identify key factors influencing your research landscape. Master the craft of data storytelling, transforming raw data into compelling narratives that resonate with your audience. SESSION 2 COURSE DESCRIPTION Dive into the art of conducting one-on-one interviews. Discover techniques for building rapport, active listening, and probing for deeper insights. This session will equip you with the skills to conduct impactful individual interviews. PRESENTERS Dorothy Chaney, M.Ed., is the Founder of Wisconsin Community Health Alliance, an organization committed to supporting coalitions, agencies, and individuals to improve the health of their communities and the environments in which they live. Dorothy is committed to equity in community health and works with communities both nationally and internationally to address health disparities and support the development of local solutions to complex problems. For more than 20 years, Dorothy has worked with community-based coalitions to address the impact of substance use on youth and families. Dorothy has also served on many state level work groups and advisory committees in Wisconsin. Chaney also works with communities to implement collective impact approaches to improve community health.