Recent News

By Wanda Hudson, South Southwest PTTC Product Development & Distance Learning Coordinator The role of a substance misuse prevention professional in addressing homelessness within their community is complicated by many factors. Data collection challenges, cross-training staff, focused funding streams, and political willpower further complicate this work. Additionally, accurately defining the issue of homelessness is a […]

By Mariah Flynn, Coalition Director of the Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community in Burlington, Vermont. Steering Committee Member of Prevention Works! Vermont. As commercial cannabis continues to expand in the South Southwest PTTC region (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas), the prevention field must help to center conversations on addressing youth exposure, high-risk […]

Twenty-five years ago, Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher issued a ground-breaking Call to Action to Prevent Suicide, leading to the first National Strategy for Suicide Prevention in 2001. Since then, significant advancements have been made in data timeliness, suicide prevention science, new treatments, and research. Despite these efforts, rising suicide rates indicate that more work […]

By Darla Kelsay, Certified Prevention Consultant, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, MidSOUTH Center for Prevention and Training A new documentary chronicling the fentanyl crisis in North Texas will help raise community awareness about the potent synthetic opioid and shatter the myth that overdose is not happening in the Lone Star State. Scheduled for release this month, […]

By Rachel Karch, Instructional Design and Accessibility Manager, Suicide Prevention Resource Center Accessibility is crucial for creating an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of ability, can access and benefit from information and resources. Here’s why accessibility matters: Here are five ways to make your content more accessible: Avoid jargon and technical terms. Use plain language […]

By Sarah Davis, MNM Our world is made up of intersecting and interconnected systems. The work of prevention takes place within the context of these systems (think: education system, healthcare, or judicial system). As prevention professionals work to make changes – at the individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels1 –it is important to understand how […]

By Sindy Bolaños-Sacoman, Owner & CEO, SBS Evaluation & Program Development Specialists, Director and Co-Founder, New Mexico Tribal Behavioral Health Providers Association “…I can say that alcohol misuse has plagued our lives. Alcohol addiction has stunted the growth of my people for many generations. Culture and my people never reach the surface due to the […]

By Sindy Bolaños-Sacoman, Owner & CEO, SBS Evaluation & Program Development Specialists Why did the alcohol conversation stop twenty years ago?  The focus of prevention has turned to opioids and fentanyl, but more people in the U.S. die of alcohol-related causes than from opioids and other drugs1. Community organizations and coalitions can start having these […]

By Darla J. Kelsay, Certified Prevention Consultant Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, MidSOUTH Center for Prevention & Training The Arkansas Collegiate Network (ACN), Arkansas’ official collegiate coalition, has a higher vision than just local community impact; the network is committed to addressing substance misuse statewide. As a community coalition, ACN understands the importance of working together […]

The DFC Program is the nation’s leading effort to prevent youth substance use. Coalitions receive $125,000 for up to 10 years to promote prevention strategies at the local level. Please see our new video! You can also visit our website for more information and this page to learn about eligibility requirements.  The due date for […]

By: The BACH Group Earl N. Benjamin-Robinson, DrHSc, CPH Michael L. Benjamin-Robinson, DSW, LCSW-BACS The idea of Black History Month was born out of the efforts of Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland. These men founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). The ASNLH served to empower Black Americans […]

  By Anne Roberts, Nonprofit Consultant It can be truly rewarding to partner with your state policymakers to develop solid recommendations to benefit your clients and your community. It can also feel a bit intimidating if you’ve never done it before. In preparation for our approaching legislative sessions, I’ve compiled the following list of suggestions […]

By Anne Roberts, Nonprofit Consultant   Years ago, the federal government attempted to save money in the school lunch program by counting ketchup as a vegetable. The proposed change was published, by law, in the Federal Register. A small anti-hunger organization noticed the change.  Using the media to publicize the issue, they urged parents, teachers, […]

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead US Anthropologist (1901 – 1978)   This quote has been used for many years to inspire and motivate folks to speak up and work for change. It captures the notion that […]

SAMHSA, in collaboration with RTI International, released two important resources intended to aid community practitioners in the ongoing work to end the overdose crisis. Engaging Community Coalitions to Decrease Opioid Overdose Deaths and Opioid-Overdose Reduction Continuum of Care Approach (ORCCA) are available for free online. These products equip public health practitioners, coalitions, nonprofits, and other groups working […]

September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month Darla J. Kelsay, Certified Prevention Consultant, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, UA Little Rock, MidSOUTH Raising awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the mission of Arkansas None for Nine, a non-profit organization that actively inspires, empowers, and supports children, families, and individuals that live with […]

Coalition Business Administration Training for Prevention Professionals Application Deadline: September 8, 2023  To apply, complete the Coalition Business Administration Application The prevention field needs strong leaders to grow and sustain prevention efforts. To meet this need, the ORN, PTTC, and CADCA came together to create a new training: Coalition Business Administration (CBA). Following a successful […]

988 Information and Resources These resources can help state, tribal, and territorial organizations and their partners implement the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. They include implementation tools, guidance on messaging about 988, and recommendations for establishing crisis services infrastructure. SPRC 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Implementation Resources The resources and information on this page are […]

Building Local Continuums of Care to Support Youth Success Funding for planning and assessing promising and evidence-based prevention and intervention services that will inform the development of a community-based continuum of care for youth at risk of becoming or already involved in the juvenile justice system. Rural and tribal jurisdictions are a program priority. Geographic […]

Darla J. Kelsay, Certified Prevention Consultant Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, UA Little Rock, MidSOUTH To implement successful programs, prevention planners need reliable data to guide their work. When the Arkansas Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) recognized a statewide deficiency of data on college students, they turned to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Survey Research […]

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today released a new data report Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Behavioral Health: Results from the 2021 and 2022 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, indicating that lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults are more likely than straight adults to use substances, experience mental health conditions including major […]

Introduction to the Prevention Core Competencies: For Prevention Professionals The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) hosts this 3-day, in-person training opportunity at no cost and offers a post travel scholarship. The training will be held at the Grand Casino Hotel and Resort in Shawnee, OK on June 27-29, 2023. More information Register here

By Janice Williams, Ph.D. Retired   During the month of May, we recognize prevention week through the lens of substance use and misuse. The prevention narrative has swung from substance abuse prevention to substance use and misuse, and inclusion of mental health well-being. The opioid epidemic opened the doors for more visibility on prevention with […]

National Prevention Week is taking place from May 7–13, 2023! Join us National Prevention Week is a national public education platform showcasing the work of communities and organizations across the country dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of substance misuse prevention and positive mental health. We recognize that the important work of prevention happens […]