Beginning in September 2018, New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center conducted a prevention workforce needs assessment in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. This needs assessment was conducted by the New England PTTC's evaluation sub-contractor, Public Consulting Group, Inc. (PCG). The needs assessment had the following five objectives:
1. Define substance use prevention, concretely and operationally, in a way that is meaningful for professionals in the field and can be used across state lines to discuss prevention on a larger scale;
2. Identify the current landscape of the New England prevention workforce;
3. Identify strengths and needs among New England states in the prevention workforce;
4. Evaluate current prevention workforce recruitment strategies; and,
5. Offer recommendations for training and technical assistance for new and advanced prevention professionals in the field.
The attached report outlines current service availability, gaps, and needs for substance use prevention professional education and accreditation. Specifically, it highlights state-level prevention workforce recruitment strategies, the utilization and promotion of prevention certification and training needs for the New England prevention workforce. The New England PTTC will use this report as a major basis for the development of training and technical assistance services offered and provided to the field in the New England states.
New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Annual Report: Year Two
Substance use is a complex concern for communities and practitioners alike throughout New England. Addressing the risk and protective factors related to substance use takes time, coordination from diverse stakeholders, and persistence to make change.
In October 2018, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc. (AdCare Maine) the five-year cooperative agreement for the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center (New England PTTC). In turn, AdCare Maine contracted with the Co-occurring Collaborative Serving Maine (CCSME) to provide program support and distance learning. AdCare Maine also contracted with Public Consulting Group, Inc. (PCG), an external evaluator, to conduct an initial needs assessment regarding training and technical assistance for prevention professionals and to support the project with ongoing quarterly and annual reporting for the five-year grant.
The goal of the New England PTTC is to improve the delivery of effective substance use prevention training and technical assistance services to professionals throughout New England working in the substance use prevention field.
The New England PTTC had two overarching goals for Year Two to increase capacity of the regional prevention professional workforce to use:
This report reflects the efforts of the New England PTTC in Year Two of the grant, i.e., between September 30, 2019 and September 29, 2020. Download the report.
New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Annual Report Brief: Year Three
Substance use and mental health have been heavily affected in the last two years by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The region has observed loosened laws related to alcohol and marijuana as well as increased consumption of substances and increased prevalence of mental health and stress disorders. With national outcries for diversity, inclusion and improved mental health services coinciding with changes in federal funding, staff shortages, and recruiting struggles, the prevention workforce has faced some seemingly insurmountable obstacles. However, the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center (New England PTTC) has not only continued to engage the workforce and use their feedback to make data-driven decisions for programming but has continually expanded service offerings and opportunities to propel the New England workforce into 21st century prevention. In October 2018, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc. (AdCare Maine) the five-year cooperative agreement for the New England PTTC. In turn, AdCare Maine contracted with the Co-occurring Collaborative Serving Maine (CCSME) to provide program support and distance learning. AdCare Maine also contracted with Public Consulting Group LLC (PCG), an external evaluator, to conduct an initial needs assessment regarding training and technical assistance (T/TA) for prevention professionals and to support the project with ongoing quarterly and annual reporting for the grant.
The New England PTTC had three goals for Year Three, to:
This brief reflects the efforts of the New England PTTC in Year Three of the grant, i.e., between September 30, 2020, and September 29, 2021, as well as a follow-up to the initial needs assessment. Download the report.
