The Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network just wrapped up an incredible inaugural year. Launched by SAMHSA in September 2018, PTTC Network professionals from across the country all share the same goal: to improve implementation and delivery of effective substance abuse prevention interventions, and provide training and technical assistance services to the substance abuse prevention field. The Network is composed of 10 Domestic Regional Centers, 2 National Focus Area Centers, and a Network Coordinating Office. Together the Network serves all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Islands of Guam, American Samoa, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and the Mariana Islands. 

Over the past year, the Network has hosted hundreds of events, created many prevention resources, launched regional newsletters and podcasts, and connected with prevention professionals from across the country. Here are some highlights of what the Network accomplished in 2019. 

Focus Area Resources

The PTTC Network has identified seven areas to focus the development of new resources and training for the prevention workforce across the country. These areas are community coalitions and collaborators, culturally and linguistically appropriate practices, data-informed decisions, evidence-based interventions, marijuana risk, and opioid education. Throughout the past year, several products and resources have been created and are available to download for free on the website, pttcnetwork.org. 

• The Six Elements of Effective Coalition
  This resource is the first installment in a series, Key Elements of Effective Coalitions, which has been developed for prevention practitioners and community coalition members by the Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network. The goal of this series is to provide information on key elements that research suggests are critical for coalitions to operate effectively and increase their impact on substance misuse and its consequences for individuals and communities.
   
• Building Health Equity and Inclusion
  This resource list was developed by the PTTC Culturally & Linguistically Appropriate Practices Work Group, and represents a compilation of resources produced by the PTTC Network to help individuals understand the impact of culture and identity in prevention efforts.  All resources are free to access. This list is by no means exhaustive, and will be updated periodically to ensure it has the most relevant resources. 
   
• The Date Dive: Episode 1
  In this episode, the PTTCs talk about using data prioritization to focus substance misuse prevention efforts more effectively and efficiently. Using recent prioritization work in New Jersey as an example, the five key steps of a prioritization process and how they can look in action are reviewed. Factors and questions to consider before and during a prioritization process are also considered.
   
• Evidence-Based Resources
  This resource list was developed by the Evidence-Based Interventions Work Group, and represents resources produced by the PTTC Network that address evidence-based practices.  This list is by no mean exhaustive, and will be updated periodically to ensure it has the most relevant resources.
   
• Marijuana Prevention and Education Toolkit
  This toolkit was developed by the PTTC Network Marijuana Risk Work Group in an effort to support the prevention field  in implementing marijuana prevention and education. 
   
• Prevention Collaboration in Action: Engaging the Right Partners
  This resource, available in English and Spanish, provides a list of potential state- and community-level partners to engage in opioid overdose prevention efforts.

Digital Connection

Several of the PTTC regions offer an email sign-up to stay up to date on their events and activities. Some of the regions have created regular monthly and quarterly newsletters with feature articles and other educational content. 

• Central East PTTC
  The Dialogue is designed to inform behavioral and mental health professionals of news and upcoming events in the Central East states. This electronic newsletter is disseminated on the first Tuesday of each month.
   
• Great Lakes PTTC
  The Great Lakes Current: the monthly newsletter covering Great Lakes PTTC, Great Lakes ATTC and Great Lakes MHTTC. The Great Lakes PTTC News: a quarterly newsletter focused on events and announcements.
   
• Mid-America PTTC
  Mid-America PTTC's monthly newsletter allows individuals across Region 7 to stay in touch with their upcoming events and training opportunities. Mid-America PTTC Podcast: A mix of interviews, case studies, and prevention topics geared to help improve your efforts and move listeners toward success. 
   
• South Southwest PTTC
  South Southwest PTTC's newsletter is designed to inform the prevention field about relative and current prevention news and upcoming events in the South-Southwest states. This electronic newsletter is disseminated on the third Wednesday of each month.
   
• National American Indian Alaska Native PTTC
  National American Indian Alaska Native PTTC's newsletter, Prevention in our Native American Communities, is published electronically three times per year.

PTTC Website

The PTTC website is substantial in size; it comprises information not only for the Network Coordinating Office but all of the Regional and National Centers, as well. As of Dec. 11, 2019, the site is composed of 1,424 pages! Over the past year, the site has hosted 8,368 visitors with 440,213 page views. 

Events Hosted

The 12 Centers have hosted and co-sponsored events all over the country, including webinars, online courses, in-person trainings, etc. Over the past year, the Centers have hosted nearly 400 events (PTTC Training and Events Calendar)! 

Events Attended

Staff members across the PTTC Network presented at and attended events locally, regionally, and nationally. At the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors 32nd annual National Prevention Network (NPN) Conference this year, PTTCs leveraged the event as a way to connect with prevention professionals through presentations, networking breaks, and the exhibit hall. More than 40 staff members from across the PTTC Network were in attendance -- each Regional and National Center was represented. Eight of the Regional Centers presented a total of 11 sessions throughout the conference. These sessions addressed issues concerning state cannabis policies, cultural competency, opioid misuse, economic evaluation, rural communities, tribal communities, and Latinx communities.