Webinar Description
This two-part virtual learning event will look at professional development and certification as key steps for how prevention staff can personally build their skills and a career while remaining up to date in the evolving field of substance prevention.
We will identify several benefits of continual learning for prevention staff, especially those new to the field, reviewed how new research and developments in substance misuse prevention drive the need for ongoing professional development of staff, and explored how professional development can help prepare staff to fill any variety of career paths available. We introduced the substance abuse prevention competencies as identified by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) and discussed prevention specialist certification as one step to professionalization.
Session 2 focused on certification as one method of professional development and provided an overview of the certification process to become a Certified Prevention Specialist.
Presenters
Sandra Del Sesto, ACPS has provided training on community and strategic planning, program development, and capacity building in all areas of prevention practice for over 35 years. She is a co-author of the widely used Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training (SAPST), a foundational substance use prevention curriculum currently provided across the country. She serves on the advisory boards of the National Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC), the New England PTTC, and the Latino PTTC. She is a RI delegate to the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium and past co-chair of its Prevention Committee.
Carol Oliver, CPS has 25 years’ experience in the field of substance abuse prevention and in the provision of training and technical assistance at the National, State and community level. She is an expert in the implementation of SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework and has provided technical assistance to numerous states and communities on its implementation. Ms. Oliver is a master trainer with strong design and delivery skills in face to face and virtual training methods. She is one of the lead authors of the national Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPTS), a foundational substance abuse prevention curriculum currently provided across the country.
Ivy Jones Turner, MPA, CPS is an expert in behavioral and mental health promotion and prevention, is an experienced program leader, technical assistance (TA) specialist, applied researcher, and evaluator. Her expertise includes building the capacity of schools and organizations to research, implement, evaluate, and sustain interventions to prevent substance misuse, suicide, youth violence, and bullying, and to promote social-emotional and mental health. Ivy holds an MA in Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and is a certified specialist in prevention and conflict mediation in Massachusetts.
Supplemental Material
