Products and Resources Catalog

2024 Region 6 Training and Technical Assistance Needs Assessment Results By Nicole Schoenborn, SSW PTTC Evaluator Each year, the South Southwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center (SSWPTTC) conducts a training and technical assistance (T/TA) needs assessment to help us capture the training needs of the field and inform our overall process for creating the work plan for the region. Our first needs assessment was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic as we saw emerging T/TA needs in the workforce. After 6 years, it has expanded into a comprehensive assessment of needs across the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), with additional sections around onboarding, health equity, and data literacy. In the past year, the needs assessment informed live events such as the Unraveling Connections: Social Determinants of Health and Substance Misuse Prevention  and the Alcohol, Equity, and Social Justice: Breaking the Silence. Services in the South Southwest region had a stronger emphasis last year on building the capacity of substance misuse prevention professionals to address gaps in prevention with services for underserved communities. Themes that have strongly surfaced for next year’s services continue to address Social Determinants of Health, underserved communities, and cultural humility and responsiveness. In addition, evaluating programs and communicating data using visualization methods will be a focus area for data-related services in this next year of the SSW PTTC. To view the data and findings, select the links below. Read more about the SSW PTTC Needs Assessment Needs Assessment 2024 PowerPoint        

December 19, 2024   Webinar Series Description: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center (SPTAC) Regions IX and X in collaboration with the Pacific Southwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) cordially invite you to join our two-part regional webinar, Strong Evaluation for Substance Misuse Prevention. Join us for an in-depth series to empower substance misuse prevention professionals to develop and implement a practical, results-driven evaluation plan grounded in the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF). With a focus on creating an evaluation strategy that not only assesses impact but also supports program sustainability and improvement, this series is perfect for practitioners, program managers, and community coalition leaders. Part 1 of this webinar series can be found here.   Webinar Objectives: By the end of the webinar series, participants will be able to: Develop an effective evaluation plan in the context of the SPF Use evaluation results to improve prevention implementation Document outcomes to demonstrate success Enhance program sustainability and future planning   Webinar Recording and Slides: Strong Evaluation for Substance Misuse Prevention: Part 2 - Recording Strong Evaluation for Substance Misuse Prevention: Part 2 - Slide Deck   Additional Resources: Qualitative Methods for Public Administration (2006) by Susan Welch and John Comer Research Methods in the Social Sciences (2014) by Chava Frankfort-Nachmias and David Nachmias Statistics: A Tool for Social Research (2020) by Joseph Healey The Community Needs Assessment Workbook (2015) by Rodney Wambeam Statistics 101 at study.com (Statistics 101: Principles of Statistics Course - Online Video Lessons | Study.com) Statistics and Probability at the Kahn Academy (Khan Academy | Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice)   Presenter: Rodney Wambeam, PhD Rodney Wambeam, Ph.D. is a Senior Research Scientist at the Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center (WYSAC) of the University of Wyoming (UW). He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Political Science at UW. Dr. Wambeam completed his Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska in 1999 and served as policy advisor to Nebraska Governor Ben Nelson. He was Director of the Evaluation Research Department at the Nebraska Council to Prevent Alcohol and Drug Abuse before moving home to Wyoming in 2002. At WYSAC, Dr. Wambeam and his team conduct numerous substance abuse prevention and treatment research projects in many states including Arkansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming. He currently leads the Federal Prevention Block Grant, State Opioid Response Grant, and National Opioid Litigation evaluations in Arkansas, as well as leading the Opioid/Fentanyl Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan in Wyoming. He has presented more than 50 keynotes across the country on substance abuse prevention with millennials and on the history of alcohol in America. His book “The Community Needs Assessment Workbook” from Oxford University Press came out in 2015.   Questions: Contact Clarissa Lam Yuen at [email protected], if you have additional questions about the content related to this webinar.

December 17, 2024   Webinar Series Description: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center (SPTAC) Regions IX and X in collaboration with the Pacific Southwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) cordially invite you to join our two-part regional webinar, Strong Evaluation for Substance Misuse Prevention. Join us for an in-depth series to empower substance misuse prevention professionals to develop and implement a practical, results-driven evaluation plan grounded in the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF). With a focus on creating an evaluation strategy that not only assesses impact but also supports program sustainability and improvement, this series is perfect for practitioners, program managers, and community coalition leaders. Part 2 of this webinar series can be found here.   Webinar Objectives: By the end of the webinar series, participants will be able to: Develop an effective evaluation plan in the context of the SPF Use evaluation results to improve prevention implementation Document outcomes to demonstrate success Enhance program sustainability and future planning   Webinar Recording and Slides: Strong Evaluation for Substance Misuse Prevention: Part 1 - Recording Strong Evaluation for Substance Misuse Prevention: Part 1 - Slide Deck   Additional Resources: Qualitative Methods for Public Administration (2006) by Susan Welch and John Comer Research Methods in the Social Sciences (2014) by Chava Frankfort-Nachmias and David Nachmias Statistics: A Tool for Social Research (2020) by Joseph Healey The Community Needs Assessment Workbook (2015) by Rodney Wambeam Statistics 101 at study.com (Statistics 101: Principles of Statistics Course - Online Video Lessons | Study.com) Statistics and Probability at the Kahn Academy (Khan Academy | Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice)   Presenter: Rodney Wambeam, PhD Rodney Wambeam, Ph.D. is a Senior Research Scientist at the Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center (WYSAC) of the University of Wyoming (UW). He is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Political Science at UW. Dr. Wambeam completed his Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska in 1999 and served as policy advisor to Nebraska Governor Ben Nelson. He was Director of the Evaluation Research Department at the Nebraska Council to Prevent Alcohol and Drug Abuse before moving home to Wyoming in 2002. At WYSAC, Dr. Wambeam and his team conduct numerous substance abuse prevention and treatment research projects in many states including Arkansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming. He currently leads the Federal Prevention Block Grant, State Opioid Response Grant, and National Opioid Litigation evaluations in Arkansas, as well as leading the Opioid/Fentanyl Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan in Wyoming. He has presented more than 50 keynotes across the country on substance abuse prevention with millennials and on the history of alcohol in America. His book “The Community Needs Assessment Workbook” from Oxford University Press came out in 2015.   Questions: Contact Clarissa Lam Yuen at [email protected], if you have additional questions about the content related to this webinar.

El NeCPTTC ha creado un conjunto de herramientas de planificación de la sostenibilidad para ayudar a los especialistas en prevención a producir y mantener resultados positivos en el uso indebido de sustancias. Este conjunto de herramientas guía a los profesionales en la evaluación de sus procesos e intervenciones de planificación estratégica para determinar qué es necesario sostener y la mejor manera de hacerlo. El conjunto de herramientas ofrece un proceso de planificación de la sostenibilidad de cinco pasos para ayudar a las comunidades a pasar de la comprensión a la acción y a identificar y asegurar los recursos necesarios para mantener resultados positivos de prevención más allá de la financiación actual. Los pasos incluyen establecer objetivos de sostenibilidad, seleccionar su enfoque de sostenibilidad, identificar los recursos necesarios, identificar colaboraciones y asociaciones y desarrollar su enfoque de alcance de sostenibilidad. Para cada uno de estos cinco pasos, el kit de herramientas proporciona una hoja de trabajo complementaria para ayudar a guiar de manera práctica a las personas y organizaciones a través de este proceso de planificación. El kit de herramientas ya está disponible para su uso. Puedes acceder a todas las piezas a continuación:

The January 2025 Dialogue contains articles on: Addiction: A Road Map to Success: Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in Challenging Environments Prevention: SAMHSA's 21st Prevention Day Opioid Response: National Mentoring Month Additional sections include behavioral health observances, virtual training and webinar events, Region 3 news, and new resources. 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. You are encouraged to provide us with any feedback or submit articles and topics for discussion in future issues of the newsletter. Sign up to receive the Dialogue in your mailbox.

The New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center created this document as part of a Technical Assistance Request to support the Maine Recovery Council's Prevention Ad Hoc Subcommittee in their strategic planning process to identify gaps in prevention funding and opioid use prevention services and create strategy funding recommendations. This document shows how the subcommittee identified substance misuse prevention funding priorities for the Opioid Settlement Dollars through that strategic planning process. This document shows the workplan and outcomes of this process for the workgroup itself to reflect back on in future planning and also offers a process guide for other entities (municipalities, states, regions, etc.) who want an example of a robust process to examine the prevention landscape in other places, demonstrate service gaps, and prioritize funding for opioid use/misuse prevention using opioid settlement dollars.   The Maine Recovery Council: The Maine Recovery Council was established pursuant to the Maine State Subdivision Memorandum of Understanding (PDF) and Agreement Regarding Use of Settlement Funds and 5 M.R.S.A. §203-C. The purpose of the Council is to direct the disbursement of funds within the Maine Recovery Fund for specific uses throughout the state to address the opioid crisis in Maine. Examples of approved uses are reversing overdoses through naloxone or other FDA-approved drugs, expanding the availability of medication-assisted treatment for Mainers struggling with opioid use disorder, helping Mainers avoid opioid use through evidence-based prevention programs, and providing additional special education resources to Maine school administrative units. The Council comprises 15 members appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, the Attorney General, and certain counties, cities, and towns in Maine.   All council meetings are held in person unless otherwise specified on the notice and agenda. Council meetings are open to the public, and members of the public are permitted to attend to observe but not participate unless otherwise specified on the notice and agenda. Members of the public may also observe by a remote video link provided in each agenda.   Process for Prevention Workgroup prioritizing: The New England PTTC worked with the Maine Recovery Council (MRC) to help process the priorities for funding prevention strategies in Maine for the 2024-2025 fiscal years. The New England PTTC proposed supporting a strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) planning process, which was accepted by the Maine Recovery Council and spearheaded by the MRC Prevention Seat, Liz Blackwell-Moore. The MRC had identified Prevention as a priority in their MOU with the Maine Office of the Attorney General, responsible for the stewardship of the money from the state to communities. These strategy recommendations were presented to the Council in October 2024,  and were accepted by the Council in November 2024.

COURSE DESCRIPTION Part 1 of this series delves into the multifaceted impact of military installations on community health and prevention efforts by studying the use of both quantitative and qualitative data for decision making.   Select View Resource to watch the recording. Below are the training materials. 2020-State-Data-Sheet-Arkansas 2021-State-Data-Sheet-Louisiana 2021-State-Data-Sheet-New-Mexico 2021-State-Data-Sheet-Oklahoma 2021-State-Data-Sheet-Texas Handout-data-sources-military-partnerships PPT-Data-Driven-Military-Partnerships-P1 PRESENTER Dr. Beverly Triana-Tremain, co-author of Evaluation Time: A Practical Guide for Evaluation, formerly served as the epidemiologist for the South Southwest Prevention Technology and Transfer Center Region 6, with over 30 years of experience in technical assistance and training, evaluation, research, and quality improvement processes. She has expertise in process and impact evaluation, quality improvement studies, research methodology, and project management. Dr. Triana-Tremain is experienced in providing high-impact training and technical assistance services to the prevention workforce, emerging prevention professionals, organizations, and community prevention stakeholders. Dr. Triana-Tremain provides training and technical assistance on data-driven public health interventions and effectively communicating data to stakeholders in order to improve understanding in various populations. She has worked across the public and private sector for over 50 organizations to develop quality improvement plans in the areas of workforce development, public health improvement, and community impact. She also has extensive project management experience, particularly developing logic models that focus stakeholders on intentional project outcomes. A certified Lean Six Sigma Green and Yellow Belt, Dr. Triana-Tremain received her doctorate from Texas Woman’s University in community health, with a public health concentration. She also has a master’s from Texas Woman’s University and a bachelor’s from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

COURSE DESCRIPTION Part 2 of this series explores the role military prevention professionals play in fostering healthier communities and how to effectively partner with them to mutually improve outcomes through data sharing.   Select View Resource to watch the recording. Below are the training materials. PPT-Understanding-Militarys-Role-in-SU-P2 PRESENTER SMSgt Amy Beth Thomas serves as the Drug Demand Reduction Outreach Manager for the Louisiana National Guard Counterdrug Program, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. In this role, she works with military and civilian drug prevention entities across the state of Louisiana. SMSgt Thomas is a member on the Louisiana Governor’s Office Drug Policy Board. SMSgt Thomas participates in National and state drug prevention strategies. SMSgt Thomas collaborates across several Federal, State, and local anti-drug coalitions as well as in several schools across the state of Louisiana delivering drug prevention curriculum to the youth.  SMSgt Thomas entered the Air Force in July 2000. Following basic military training, she attended Command Post Controller training at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi and graduated in November 2000. She spent the following nine years in the command post career field supporting homeland defense in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE. As a command post controller, SMSgt Thomas assisted in several humanitarian efforts to include Hurricane Katrina. Following Hurricane Katrina, she was assigned to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, where she conducted emergency support functions during state disasters. In 2006, she was selected to serve full time with the Louisiana National Guard Counterdrug Task Force as the Joint Substance Abuse Coordinator for both the Louisiana Army and Air National Guard. In 2009, she was assigned as Command Support Staff in the 159th Fighter Wing Commanders office and attended Personnel School at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi in September 2009. In July 2011, SMSgt Thomas was assigned to the 159th Fighter Wing Equal Opportunity Office. In 2014, SMSgt Thomas was assigned to National Guard Bureau as a Regional Drug Demand Reduction Program Manager from October 2014 until July of 2018. While assigned to National Guard Bureau’s Joint Substance Abuse Program, she assisted with national instruction, program implementation and evaluation, regulations and policy rewrites, as well as the prevention and rehabilitation of Airmen. Currently SMSgt Thomas is assigned as the drug demand reduction outreach program manager for the Louisiana National Guard Counterdrug Program. Prior to her military assignment, the senior master sergeant served her community as a law enforcement officer for over five years and currently volunteers as a counselor in behavioral health.  

Against the Odds - Problem Gambling Graphic Medicine, is a new tool to help foster prevention-focused conversations with young people about problem gambling. Tips for talking & lesson plans are included. Technical assistance is available. A graphic medicine uses the format of a graphic novel to communicate health information. Evidence shows that the visuals combined with the information can help with memory of important information, as well as understanding and comprehension. We worked with SOPO Unite in South Portland, Maine, to create this student-lead story about five friends, while struggling with the normal ups and downs of life as a teenager in small-town New England, now find themselves with a bigger problem on their claws...I mean, hands! The plastics factory on the outskirts of town had a chemical leak, and it's really killed the vibes. Now these friends have to launch an epic grass-roots community clean up, before the vibes kill them! Throughout the story, we see one friend, Luke, struggle with his gambling habits, and another friend, Bishop, struggle with the impacts of the environmental crisis on his well-being. Still, those obvious struggles aren't the only ones. Stay until the end to catch how the students find a connection as medicine, and check out the accompanying Implementation guide to see all the ways the story can be a tool for you to talk to young people about problem gambling. Preview and download (PDF) Preview (in English) - available in January Preview (in Portuguese) -  coming in the Spring 2025 Preview (in Spanish) - coming in the Spring 2025   Printed copy or electronic copy (PDF format) for download, available in January 2025. Please complete the Request Form.   *The New England PTTC is only able to mail printed copies to those working/living in HHS Region 1 (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI). If you request a copy working/living outside of HHS Region 1, we'll send you an electronic copy (PDF format) to download. Please complete the Request Form.   For Facilitators    Download the Facilitators Implementation Guide. Download the Guide (full color) - available in January Download the Guide (grayscale) - available in January   Through our cooperative agreement with SAMHSA and our Agility Grant through the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), all our resources are free to the public.   Questions? Contact Sarah Harlow, Co-Director, New England PTTC: [email protected]   About this resource: This resource was developed to address a need identified in HHS Region 1 (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) to provide substance misuse prevention professionals with tools for substance misuse prevention and gambling prevention. This resource is developed through the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA), SAMHSA Cooperative Agreement #5H79SP081020-03.  This resource was made possible through a partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) through the-award-of a one-year Agility Grant. For more information on the Agility Grant through NCPG, please visit: https://www.ncpgambling.org/problem-gambling/agility-grants/.    

Webinar 2: How to choose the right evidence-based program for my community.   December 18, 2024   Webinar Series Description: The Evidence-Based Programs & Health Equity Webinar Series is designed to enhance substance misuse prevention efforts through a structured three-part webinar series.   Webinar Description: The second webinar in this series will dive deeper into a three-step process for choosing the right evidence-based program (EBP) to meet your community’s needs. Step 1 includes assessing your community’s needs and priorities. Step 2 uses the information from Step 1 to identify and narrow your EBP options by considering the type of EBP needed. Step 3 involves comparing EBPs by assessing their strength of evidence and degree of fit with your community’s needs and resources. Throughout this webinar, the presenters will provide tools and resources to help support the three-step process and participants will learn how to integrate a health equity lens in each step.   Webinar Objectives: In this webinar, participants will: Learn how to determine your community’s prevention needs and priorities. Learn how to identify evidence-based programs that align with your community’s prevention needs and priorities. Learn how to assess the strength of evidence for evidence-based programs and their fit with your community’s needs and resources.   Webinar Recording and Slides: Evidence-Based Programs & Health Equity Webinar Series -Webinar 2 - Recording Evidence-Based Programs & Health Equity Webinar Series -Webinar 2 - Slide Deck   Additional Resource: EBP Webinar 2 - Additional Resources   Presenters: Brittany Cooper is Associate Professor of Human Development and graduate faculty in the Prevention Science PhD program at Washington State University. She also co-leads the Northwest PTTC and is President of the Society for Prevention Research. Dr. Cooper’s research, teaching, and outreach centers around the translation of prevention science for public health impact. For over a decade, she has collaborated with federal, state, and other community leaders to improve the field’s understanding of how best to support evidence-based prevention programs in diverse community settings. Kat Bruzios is a postdoctoral scholar across University of Washington’s School Mental Health Assessment, Research, and Training (SMART) and the ALACRITY Centers. She earned her PhD in Prevention Science from Washington State University. She has training and experience in identifying effective prevention strategies. Dr. Bruzios has expertise in the implementation of evidence-based prevention programs and using implementation strategies to achieve positive behavioral health outcomes for youth, families, and communities in various settings.   Questions: Contact Kathy Gardner at [email protected], if you have additional questions about the content related to this webinar.

Explore a comprehensive collection of resources aimed at understanding and addressing the diverse needs of various populations through data-driven insights. Each resource provides practical strategies for prevention and support across different communities. A Closer Look at Opioid-Related Mortality: A Focus on American Indians and Alaskan Natives Charting Paths to Prevention: Mapping Social Vulnerability and Alcohol-Related Deaths Lunch and Learn Emerging Drug Trends in the South Southwest  Fostering the Resilience of Children  Identifying Opioid Misuse Risk and Protective Factors for Hispanic/Latino Populations  Measuring Community Level Trauma  Swimming Upstream with Data, Prevention Data Sources Series, for Military, Rural, and LGBTQ+ Interest Groups  The Syndemic Framework: Enhancing Understanding of the Root Causes of Disease  Women and Alcohol: Drinking to Cope  Youth in the Juvenile Justice System   

This list of resources provides support for the prevention professional working with a variety of interest groups. Each resource is designed to provide practical and effective strategies for work across diverse communities. Addressing Rural Health Disparities  Alcohol, Equity, and Social Justice: Breaking the Silence  Alcohol Availability is a Social Justice Issue  Building Resilience in Military Families  Celebrate Love. Celebrate Joy.  Community Trauma and Systemic Intervention Strategies  The Cultural Adaption Continuum  Culture is Prevention: Celebrating Hispanic Latino Heritage Month  Enhancing Cultural Competency to Reduce Health Disparities (scroll down to the epi corner)  Elevate Your Work: Accessibility for Prevention Professionals  Embracing Equity  Next Steps for Building the Resilience of Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seeking individuals through Prevention  Part 1 of 2, Substance Misuse Among Students with Disabilities-Identifying Promising Equitable Approaches  Part 2 of 2, Students with Disabilities, Substance Misuse, and Incarceration-Triangulating the Issues  Promising Approaches for Reducing Substance Misuse-Related Health Disparities in a Rural Context  Reducing Community Trauma, Repairing Communities  Substance Misuse Prevention and Support for Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum-Seekers in the South Southwest  Substance Misuse Through the Lens of Black History Month  Substance Use Disorders in People with Disabilities  Understanding Stress and Substance Use Among LGBTQ+ Adolescents  Unraveling Connections: Social Determinants of Health and Substance Misuse Prevention     

Explore resources dedicated to fostering leadership and partnerships in prevention efforts. Each resource is designed to build leaders and strong partnerships, enhancing prevention services across diverse communities. A Focus on Tribal Behavioral Health Providers: The Need to Advocate for the Wellbeing of Generations  Apps for Veterans and Those Working With Veterans Addressing Trauma  Culture is Community  Humility, Respect, Understanding, and Inclusion: Working with Indigenous Peoples  Mental Health Care For All: Let's Make It A Reality  Mobilizing Marginalized Communities to Prevent Substance Misuse  Part 2 of 3 Supporting Youth and Building Leadership in Prevention: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion  Part 3 of 3 Youth and Prevention: Building Authentic Youth and Adult Partnerships     

Description: These six videos were created to be used with the Prevention Core Competencies course. The course covers a wide variety of topics including prevention science, community organization, need & resource assessment, evidence-based interventions, and more. Prevention Core Competencies is a course created by the Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network Coordinating Office, in collaboration with Applied Prevention Science International, CADCA, among other partners. To learn more about Prevention Core Competencies, go to: https://pttcnetwork.org/core-competencies-for-prevention-professionals/  

  How many times have you seen (or given!) a presentation where the audience's eyes glazed over with boredom or exhaustion? How do we communicate ideas that are important to us in a way that's meaningful to our audiences? Can we make complex science and deep data meaningful to non-expert audiences? Interestingly, directorial and editing techniques that have long been used in movies correspond with some of the best practices derived from cognitive research about how we can engage our audiences in the delivery of our ideas. This webinar looks at how we can create highly engaging and impactful presentations in our substance misuse prevention work.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explain how basic narrative techniques apply to the successful design and delivery of presentations Describe how design and composition affect an audience's ability to process our messages Apply the Pixar storytelling framework to presentation content design   PRESENTER: Brian Klaas Brian Klaas is the Assistant Director for Technology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Teaching and Learning. He also has a faculty appointment in the School's R3 Center for Innovation in Science Education. As the architect for online learning technology at the School, he leads a team that designs and delivers custom online courseware to thousands of students around the world each year. He teaches graduate level courses on communications design and data visualization for non-expert audiences as well as applications of generative artificial intelligence in public health. Brian heads the university’s IT Accessibility Training and Education subcommittee and the Hopkins Universal Design for Learning initiative at Johns Hopkins. Brian has presented on techniques for successful online learning delivery and UDL programs at conferences throughout the country, including Educause, OLC, TeachX, UBTech, APHA, TechEd, Syllabus, and CUE.   The Great Lakes 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. Others outside this region are welcome to attend.

Webinar 1: What are evidence-based programs and how can they help meet your community’s substance misuse prevention goals?   November 20, 2024   Webinar Series Description: The Evidence-Based Programs & Health Equity Webinar Series is designed to enhance substance misuse prevention efforts through a structured three-part webinar series.   Webinar Description: The first webinar will set the stage for this 3-part webinar series by defining evidence-based programs (EBPs) and describing why they are important for meeting our substance misuse prevention goals. Participants will begin by reflecting on the goals of their prevention efforts and determining how EBPs can help them achieve those goals. We will also review what research shows are the core elements of effective prevention programs, what research shows is not effective, and the role EBPs play in promoting health equity. Finally, we will introduce several program registries that can be used to identify and compare specific EBPs that meet your community’s needs.   Webinar Objectives: In this webinar, participants will: Learn to improve their knowledge of different types of evidence. Learn to improve their understanding of what research shows does and does not work in substance misuse prevention programs. Learn what constitutes an evidence-based substance misuse prevention program and how to identify evidence-based programs using publicly available program registries.   Webinar Recording and Slides: Evidence-Based Programs & Health Equity Webinar Series -Webinar 1 - Recording Evidence-Based Programs & Health Equity Webinar Series -Webinar 1 - Slide Deck   Additional Resource: What Does and Does Not Work in Youth Substance Misuse Prevention - Practice Brief 1   Presenters: Brittany Cooper is Associate Professor of Human Development and graduate faculty in the Prevention Science PhD program at Washington State University. She also co-leads the Northwest PTTC and is President of the Society for Prevention Research. Dr. Cooper’s research, teaching, and outreach centers around the translation of prevention science for public health impact. For over a decade, she has collaborated with federal, state, and other community leaders to improve the field’s understanding of how best to support evidence-based prevention programs in diverse community settings. Kat Bruzios is a postdoctoral scholar across University of Washington’s School Mental Health Assessment, Research, and Training (SMART) and the ALACRITY Centers. She earned her PhD in Prevention Science from Washington State University. She has training and experience in identifying effective prevention strategies. Dr. Bruzios has expertise in the implementation of evidence-based prevention programs and using implementation strategies to achieve positive behavioral health outcomes for youth, families, and communities in various settings.   Questions: Contact Kathy Gardner at [email protected], if you have additional questions about the content related to this webinar.

November 19, 2024   Webinar Description: Discover how integrating Indigenous wisdom with contemporary strategies bolsters substance use disorder prevention. This session highlights how blending traditional and modern practices creates effective community-based prevention models. Experts will unpack the process of merging ancestral knowledge with innovative approaches, aiming to tackle substance use challenges more effectively, enhance community bonds, and promote health.   Webinar Objectives: By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Recognize the importance of Indigenous wisdom in shaping effective, contemporary strategies for substance use disorder prevention and health promotion, with an emphasis on opioid challenges. Identify innovative practices integrating traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern prevention approaches, enhancing community engagement and resilience. Design integrated prevention frameworks that honor Indigenous heritage while effectively addressing the spectrum of substance issues through innovation and collaboration.   Webinar Recording and Slides: Weaving Wisdom with Innovation Recording Weaving Wisdom with Innovation Slide Deck   Additional Resource: Weaving Wisdom with Innovation Resources & References Handout   Presenters: Angela Da Re Angela Da Re is a distinguished facilitator and trainer with over 25 years of dedicated service in substance use disorder prevention, focusing on mitigating its harmful impacts on communities, families, and youth. As the CEO of Delta Prevention, Angela excels in devising and applying innovative strategies that significantly boost community health, with her work underlining the importance of community and coalition engagement. Her methodology showcases the strength of collective action, proving how coordinated efforts can lead to meaningful changes and improved community well-being. Serving as a consultant for diverse communities and a national trainer for the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), she has refined her skills in cultivating resilient and proactive coalitions. These coalitions are instrumental in instigating change, encouraging cross-sector collaboration, and bolstering community-led prevention efforts. Angela’s dedication to enhancing the outcomes of substance use disorder prevention through community-driven solutions and proactive educational approaches underscores her commitment to public health. Raquel Ramos Raquel Ramos is a Prevention Specialist for the Whole Child Initiative at the National Indian Education Association, proudly representing her heritage as a member of the Comanche Nation and the great-great-granddaughter of Quanah Parker, the last chief of the Comanches. With nearly a decade of experience working with tribal communities and native youth in prevention, Mrs. Ramos has significantly contributed to the field. She co-founded and serves on the Steering Committee of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) Indigenous People’s Advisory Council (IPAC), showcasing her commitment to community-based prevention efforts. Her dedication to prevention work in native communities has garnered several prestigious accolades, including the 2019 “Preventionist of the Year” award at the Heartland Alcohol Substance Abuse Conference. Raquel’s achievements reflect her profound impact on substance abuse prevention within native communities, underlining her commitment to improving the well-being of Indigenous peoples through innovative and culturally informed approaches.   Questions: Contact Clarissa Lam Yuen at [email protected], if you have additional questions about the content related to this webinar.

In this Issue Enhancing the Collaborative Efforts of Communities to Address Homelessness Epi Corner:Adolescent Health Literacy and Substance Use What's Happening Around the Region? What's New at SAMHSA?

The November 2024 Dialogue contains articles on: Addiction: Cannabis and Cradles: Unveiling the Hidden Risks of Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure Prevention: Celebrating Transgender Awareness Week Opioid Response: Communities in Recovery Additional sections include behavioral health observances, virtual training and webinar events, Region 3 news, and new resources. 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. You are encouraged to provide us with any feedback or submit articles and topics for discussion in future issues of the newsletter. Sign up to receive the Dialogue in your mailbox.

  How can we prevent substance misuse unless we understand what places kids at greater risk of misusing drugs? During this webinar, we will explore the risk factors that place youth at greater risk of substance misuse, as identified by the Social Development Research Group through systematic reviews of the research literature. Time will be spent exploring each risk factor to ensure that preventionists understand the meaning of each factor in order to address them effectively. This training will build on the information shared during the Great Lakes PTTC webinar on the importance of protective factors (October 23, 2024).   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Describe the importance of focusing on both increasing protective factors and decreasing protective factors List the criteria used to identify factors that place youth at greater risk of substance misuse Understand the nuances that exist for each risk factor Put the risk factor framework into action in their communities   PRESENTER: Kris Gabrielsen, MPH, CSP Kris Gabrielsen is the co-director of the Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center. She has worked in the substance misuse prevention field for over 30 years. Kris was the Associate Director of the Western Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT), co-authored the first Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training curriculum, and co-authored the textbook, Substance Abuse Prevention: The Intersection of Science and Practice. As a consultant, she has worked with states and communities across the nation to bridge the gap between research and practice, assisting prevention professionals in maximizing their effectiveness.   The Great Lakes 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 latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features Prevention Stories, Announcing the upcoming launch of our graphic medicine, Against the Odds - Request a copy now, Stories of Substance Misuse Prevention and Resilience, October is Substance Use Prevention Month and other awareness campaigns for October/November, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

  To prevent substance misuse among our youth, we must enhance protective factors and reduce risk factors. Join this webinar to learn how to build protective factors in the youth in a straight-forward, easy to implement way using the Social Development Strategy.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Name the elements of the Social Development Strategy Describe how the elements of the Social Development Strategy interact to create protective factors List a minimum of three ways that the Social Development Strategy can be incorporated into daily interactions and prevention strategies with youth.   CERTIFICATES: Registrants who fully attend this event will receive a certificate of attendance via email within two weeks after the conclusion of the webinar.   PRESENTER:  Kris Gabrielsen, MPH, CPS  Kris Gabrielsen is the co-director of the Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center. She has worked in the substance misuse prevention field for over 30 years. Kris was the Associate Director of the Western Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT), co-authored the first Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training curriculum, and co-authored the textbook, Substance Abuse Prevention: The Intersection of Science and Practice. As a consultant, she has worked with states and communities across the nation to bridge the gap between research and practice, assisting prevention professionals in maximizing their effectiveness.   The Great Lakes ATTC/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.

In this Issue Navigating the Green Wave and Protecting Youth in the South Southwest Region Additional Resources on Youth Substance Use Prevention Epi Corner: Implicit Bias and Algorithms Generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) What's Happening Around the Region? Webinar: Reducing Youth Substance Misuse by Implementing Mental Health initiatives New from SAMHSA Substance Use Prevention Month: Telling the Prevention Story October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

COURSE DESCRIPTION This workshop explores the intersection of youth mental health and substance misuse. Presenters outline effective strategies and interventions that prevention professionals can implement to improve mental health and reduce substance misuse among youth. Select View Resource to watch the recording. Below are the training materials. Handout 1 HHA Risk-and Protective Factors Handout 2 NAMI Resource Guides to Support Individuals Handout 3 New Starting the Conversation Guide Handout 4 New Youth MH Disparities Framework Reducing Youth Substance Misuse PPT   PRESENTERS Cindy Rivera Change Consultant, Project Director specializing in early childhood and mental health across the lifespan. With over 20 years of nonprofit experience working at the community level to implement programming to meet identified needs. She worked across communities from Tennessee to American Samoa on issues ranging from community volunteerism to chronic disease prevention. Cindy believes when community members are seen as experts, organizations may begin to support innovative solutions to complex challenges. Cindy holds a master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University and a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Mexican American studies from the University of Arizona. She is originally from Arizona, however, has spent the past 9 years zigzagging the country as military spouse. Currently, she resides in Fort Moore, Georgia, but will always call Southern Arizona home. “Listening is where love begins: listening to ourselves and then to our neighbors.”  – Fred Rogers    Since 1996, veteran Derrick Newby has worked in the field of prevention and public health in both the public and private sectors. He serves as a training and technical assistance specialist for the South Southwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center for HHS Region 6.   As a veteran's counselor and advocate, Mr. Newby gained experience with the impact of federal programs on communities after working as a special assistant to a member of Congress. He then worked as the Program Coordinator in Arkansas for the Delta Region AIDS Education and Training Center for 15 years, facilitating the education of providers interested in increasing their capacity to provide comprehensive services related to HIV including testing and treatment. In 2017, he was selected for a position with the University of Arkansas Little Rock and served as a Program Coordinator with MidSOUTH Center for Prevention and Training for 5 years, helping to facilitate the growth of the prevention system.   Serving on the Arkansas Prevention Certification Board since 2020, Mr. Newby has a Master of Public Administration and a bachelor of science in psychology with a minor in education.