Products and Resources Catalog

Prevention Talks, Dr. Rodney Wambeam and leading experts share strategies and innovations in substance misuse prevention. In Episode 3, Dr. Wambeam talks with Terresa Humphries-Wadsworth about the intersection between suicide prevention and substance misuse prevention, exploring how integrated approaches can enhance overall well-being and community resilience. Terresa Humphries-Wadsworth, Ph.D. | Project Director, Education Development Center  Terresa Humphries-Wadsworth, Ph.D., is a Project Director at Education Development Center (EDC). She serves as the Program Director on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s Health Care Initiatives, funded by SAMHSA. She served in leadership roles on key national initiatives such as preparing for 988 Implementation, developing state and local infrastructure, and producing guidance documents such as Best Practices in Care Transitions for Individuals with Suicide Risk: Inpatient Care to Outpatient Care, Recommendations for State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure, and Engaging People with Lived Experience: A Toolkit for Organizations, and accompanying tools and resources. Previously, Dr. Humphries-Wadsworth served as Wyoming Director of Statewide Suicide Prevention where she developed a statewide community-based suicide prevention system integrated with substance misuse prevention. As a licensed psychologist, Dr. Humphries-Wadsworth has provided behavioral health care and crisis response in remote, rural, and urban settings.

This toolkit was designed for use by Substance Use Prevention Professionals in Maine, to assist in engaging in policy education with decision-makers at all levels.  

February 19, 2025 Webinar Description: Timing is everything – especially when it comes to delivering successful prevention programs that truly resonate with your audience. This webinar will discuss the importance of considering developmental stage when selecting and implementing evidence-based preventive interventions. Following a brief discussion of developmental theory and how it can be applied to selecting and implementing evidence-based preventive interventions across the lifespan, examples of existing evidence-based programs implemented in several contexts including schools and families will be provided. Webinar Objectives: By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Analyze the concept of human development within context Recognize the developmental stages most associated with the peak onset of mental and behavioral health issues and related risk and protective factors Describe how brain development can inform developmentally timed preventive interventions Compare the different types of preventive interventions typically employed at various stages of development Webinar Recording and Slides: Powering Prevention with Developmental Theory - Recording Powering Prevention with Developmental Theory - Slide Deck Presenter: Nathaniel R. Riggs, PhD Dr. Riggs is a professor of Human Development and Family Studies and the executive director of the Colorado State University Prevention Research Center, a campus-wide trans-disciplinary center committed to studying the development, implementation, and evaluation of effective and sustainable preventive interventions across the lifespan. Dr. Riggs has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters related to his research interests in testing preventive interventions that promote youth socioemotional development and prevent adolescent risk behaviors. He is also an engaged scholar who works alongside community partners to support the implementation of evidence-based preventive interventions. To support this work, he is the principal investigator on several federal, state, and locally funded projects with community partners around Colorado. Dr. Riggs also frequently participates in the process of translating research into policy. He is currently a member of Colorado State University's Government Relations Faculty Ambassadors Initiative, a program training CSU faculty on best practices for engaging federal policymakers and funding agencies. Questions: Contact Clarissa Lam Yuen at [email protected], if you have additional questions about the content related to this webinar.  

  Advocacy can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to just understand what is allowed and how to do the work. This session will simplify the process by focusing on practical step-by-step actions to help you promote the importance of prevention and the essential work of community prevention providers. We’ll clarify your goals, break down key steps for effective communication, and outline allowable advocacy activities based on your organization and funding. Join us to learn how to maximize your prevention program’s impact through advocacy.  AUDIENCE EXPERIENCE LEVEL Click for info LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Develop an understanding of allowable advocacy activities taking into consideration topics and settings. Identify the key players in local and state policy. Learn step-by-step ways to get started in the advocacy journey. Describe the ways you and your colleagues can advocate for effective prevention policies and systems change. IC&RC PREVENTION DOMAIN(S): 4 and 5 PRESENTER:  Maureen Busalacchi Maureen Busalacchi, Director of the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project (WisAPP), has decades of experience in public health policy. She currently is co-chair of the WPHA Public Affairs Committee and served as Chair of the ad hoc Workgroup on Alcohol Prevention for the State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse to develop evidence-based recommendations to reduce excessive alcohol use. She ran Smoke-Free Wisconsin and led successful smoke-free air and tobacco tax campaigns. Maureen is a frequent presenter at state and national conferences on advocacy, systems change, and public health issues. Recently, she served at the Advancing a Healthier Endowment at MCW as a program manager advising on policy and systems change.   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.

Interested in learning about how to access free training, products and resources from the Great Lakes PTTC website? Watch this short video.  

Over the past decade, communities have seen a decline in response rates to youth surveys.  This decline has been driven by multiple factors, including changes to laws governing parental consent and reduced support from parents and schools for data collection, in general.  Lower response rates create challenges for substance misuse prevention professionals and can impact assessment and planning efforts. In this webinar, we will explore the uses of survey data and the importance of robust data to our substance misuse prevention work. A survey administration expert will provide insight into the importance of survey data and the impact of low response rates.  Community-based prevention professionals will share their successful approaches to increasing survey participation and building community buy-in. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify the purpose of student surveys and existing barriers Discuss the importance of communication and partnerships Explain barriers and potential solutions to low participation rates   PRESENTER:  Shari Kessel Schneider, MSPH Shari Kessel Schneider, an expert in adolescent health and school health, advances knowledge of effective programs and practices to improve the physical and mental well-being of youth. She leads initiatives focused on survey research, program evaluation, intervention design, and training and technical assistance. Her content expertise in adolescent health and risk behaviors includes bullying and cyberbullying, social media use, substance misuse, and mental health. Schneider is consulted by the media for her insights into adolescent behavior and related public health trends. She leads EDC’s MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey and provides technical assistance to school districts in using student survey data to inform educational efforts, prevention programming, and policymaking. Recently, Schneider co-authored a seminal report funded by The Ruderman Foundation on the impact of social media and cyberbullying on youth with disabilities. She has led groundbreaking research on cyberbullying trends, the mental health consequences of cyberbullying, and the effectiveness of increasing the minimum sales age for tobacco to 21 in reducing youth tobacco use. Schneider holds an MSPH from the Harvard University School of Public Health.   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.

Begin Your Data Journey and Ditch the Discomfort Are you curious about what you need to know as a prevention professional to participate in data-based decision-making? Have you been working with a prevention grant that requires you to conduct a needs assessment or an evaluation? If you are relatively new to prevention or new to using data, this series is for you! In this five-part series, Dr. Hayden Center will take you on a data journey, from providing an overview of the basic components of data literacy to then taking a deeper dive in parts two through four to learn more about data collection, data analysis and interpretation, and finally visualizing and communicating data to your partners. During this journey, there will be discussion and practical tips from Dr. Center; who has worked with local community prevention organizations to build capacity around working with data. Part 1 - Ditching the Discomfort With Data Series: Overview Part 2 - Ditching the Discomfort with Data Series: Reading Data Part 3 - Ditching the Discomfort with Data Series: Working With Data Part 4 - Ditching the Discomfort with Data Series: Analyzing Data Part 5 - Ditching the Discomfort with Data Series: Communicating and Visualizing Data  

  In the world of substance misuse prevention, we often hear about what does work—research-backed strategies that make a real impact. But what about the methods that don't work? Surprisingly, many communities continue to use outdated, ineffective, or even harmful prevention practices despite decades of research showing they fail to deliver. This webinar will explore the common yet misguided approaches still in use, shedding light on why they don’t work and the unintended consequences they can create. We’ll also dive into practical strategies for prevention professionals to overcome the resistance they often face when challenging long-held beliefs and entrenched practices. Join us to rethink the status quo, equip yourself with the knowledge to advocate for change, and help build more effective prevention efforts in your community.    AUDIENCE EXPERIENCE LEVEL Click for info   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify at least 5 interventions that have been shown through research to NOT be effective in preventing substance misuse List evidence-based approaches that are alternatives to the ineffective/counterproductive strategies Describe strategies to address resistance to discontinuing ineffective and/or counterproductive prevention strategies   PRESENTERS:  Erin Ficker, MPAff, CPRS Erin Ficker serves as a prevention manager for the Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) For over 18 years, she has built the capacity of clients to perform prevention work effectively using the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF). She has in-depth knowledge and training experience in the SPF process, including specific work in evaluation, sustainability, assessment, and working with diverse populations. She provides services to a wide range of prevention and behavioral health specialists.is an expert in substance misuse prevention, an accomplished training and technical assistance (T/TA) provider, and a certified senior prevention specialist. She brings extensive expertise in supporting, designing, and delivering engaging professional learning, and providing comprehensive T/TA for states and community-level prevention professionals. Kris Reed, MPH CPS Kris Reed 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 co-authored the national Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training curriculum, and co-authored the textbook, Substance Abuse Prevention: The Intersection of Science and Practice. Kris 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. Others outside this region are welcome to attend.

Prevention Talks, Dr. Rodney Wambeam and leading experts share strategies and innovations in substance misuse prevention. In Episode 2, Dr. Wambeam talks with Carla Ritz, General Manager of the Montana Institute. They discuss the Positive Social Norming and Positive Childhood Experiences as effective prevention strategies. LISTEN HERE Our Guest: Carla Ritz Carla Ritz is the Managing Director of The Montana Institute.  In her role at the Institute, Carla keeps the authentic practice of the Science of the Positive at the forefront of the Institute’s internal work culture, ensuring that the team lives what they learn and lead. Carla also delivers presentations and keynote addresses on the science of positive experiences and related topics. Carla’s journey with The Montana Institute began as a client in her previous work in early childhood advocacy, prevention, and systems change.

Are you struggling to find dedicated volunteers for your coalition work? Does the thought of recruiting volunteers feel overwhelming? Join our dynamic and interactive workshop and discover the 6 Essential Tasks that will transform your volunteer recruitment process. Learn practical strategies to attract and retain passionate volunteers, making your efforts more effective and enjoyable. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your coalition’s impact with a strong volunteer base!   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: List the 6 essential tasks of volunteer recruitment Put into action two strategies for saving time when recruiting volunteers Describe steps to take when receiving a “no” response from potential volunteers   PRESENTER:  Kris Reed, MPH, CPS Kris Reed 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 co-authored the national Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training curriculum, and co-authored the textbook, Substance Abuse Prevention: The Intersection of Science and Practice. Kris 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.

Part 2: Equipping Adolescents: An introduction to Guiding Good Choices, a tested and proven parenting program. ‎ February 27, 2025 ‎ Webinar Series Description: The Prevention and Parenting Across the Lifespan webinar series will highlight programs, research, and resources available to support caregivers in promoting healthy youth development. This series will look at opportunities to prevent substance misuse during adolescence and college-age years. The series is designed to support and enhance the work of substance misuse professionals and coalitions. Webinar Description: In this presentation, we will describe the Guiding Good Choices five-part workshop series for parents of children aged 9-14. We will cover the program’s evidence base, the outcomes, target audience, and describe what is recommended in terms of a successful implementation. We will also cover licensing and available implementation supports for the program. Webinar Objectives: In this webinar, participants will: Be able to describe the GGC program and identify the program’s target population and outcomes. Understand what is required for successful, high-fidelity implementation of GGC. Webinar Recording and Slides: Prevention and Parenting Across the Life Span Series - Part 2 - Recording Prevention and Parenting Across the Life Span Series - Part 2- Slide Deck Presenter: Meghann Wolvert, is a certified Prevention Specialist with a Master's in Environmental Education. She has over 10 years of experience in prevention work, with a strong commitment to fostering health and wellness in her community. She served as the Mackinac County Communities That Care (CTC) Coordinator and is a certified Guiding Good Choices (GGC) trainer, empowering families with effective prevention strategies. Ms. Wolvert’s journey into prevention began during her time with AmeriCorps, where she began to develop a deep connection to theories and practices which led to building healthy, supportive environments for youth. Inspired by the potential of SDS to strengthen both her community and her own family, Ms. Wolvert has dedicated herself to supporting others in implementing this framework in their communities. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Ms. Wolvert now resides in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with her family, where she continues to support CTC efforts, promoting positive youth development and long-term well-being across the region. Questions: Contact Kathy Gardner at [email protected], if you have additional questions about the content related to this webinar.

‎ Part 1: Equipping Caregivers: Adult-supervised drinking during adolescence increases the risk for alcohol misuse. ‎ January 30, 2025 ‎ Webinar Series Description: The Prevention and Parenting Across the Lifespan webinar series will highlight programs, research, and resources available to support caregivers in promoting healthy youth development. This series will look at opportunities to prevent substance misuse during adolescence and college-age years. The series is designed to support and enhance the work of substance misuse professionals and coalitions. Webinar Description: Parents teach their children many skills. Some parents may try to teach their teens how to drink alcohol responsibly in the home so that their teens will know how to better manage alcohol when they move out on their own. Even though this is a very logical thing to do, it can make teen and young adult drinking problems worse. Dr. Bailey will share recent research by her team showing that teens who drank at home with parent or adult supervision have more alcohol problems not only in their teens, but also into their 30s. Webinar Objectives: In this webinar, participants will: Learn basic information about teen alcohol and drug use, including when teens start using different substances, which ones they are most likely to use, and common effects of substance use on teens. Understand why allowing teens to drink in the home is not a good idea. Webinar Recording and Slides: Prevention and Parenting Across the Life Span Series - Part 1 - Recording Prevention and Parenting Across the Life Span Series - Part 1 - Slide Deck Presenters: Jennifer A. Bailey, PhD is the Assistant Director and Director of Research in the Social Development Research Group at the University of Washington. She is trained in developmental psychology, which is the study of how people grow and change during their lifetime. She has over 20 years of experience researching risk and protective factors for drug and alcohol use in adolescence and adulthood. She also studies the effects of drug and alcohol policy on substance use. Questions: Contact Kathy Gardner at [email protected], if you have additional questions about the content related to this webinar.

Webinar 3: How to Effectively Implement an evidence-based program. January 15, 2025   Webinar Series Description: The Evidence-Based Programs Webinar Series is designed to enhance substance misuse prevention efforts through a structured three-part webinar series.   Webinar Description: The third and final webinar in this training series will focus on five best practices for evidence-based program (EBP) implementation. The presenters will provide research-based tools and strategies for assuring you maintain the core elements of the program needed to achieve positive outcomes while also adapting the non-core elements to enhance fit with your target audience. Through the presentation, we will reflect on how these best practices help promote health in the implementation of substance misuse prevention programs. Webinar Objectives: In this webinar, participants will: Learn key terms, theories, and best practices for evidence-based program implementation. Learn how to apply research-based tools and strategies to assure you maintain the core elements of the program needed to achieve positive outcomes while also adapting the non-core elements to enhance fit with your community. Webinar Recording and Slides: Evidence-Based Programs Webinar Series -Webinar 3 - Recording Evidence-Based Programs Webinar Series -Webinar 3 - Slide Deck Additional Resource: EBP Webinar 1-3 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.    

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.

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 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.  

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.

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 Now! Complete the Request Form below to receive a copy. 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/.    

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 has presented on techniques for successful online learning delivery 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.

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.

  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.

COURSE DESCRIPTION This training explores innovative approaches and evidence-based strategies for preventing the spread of emerging drugs within communities. Select View Resource to watch the recording. Below are the training materials. Identifying and Address Emerging Trends in the SSW Region PPT Cannabis Handout PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (T/TA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of T/TA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to T/TA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.   Olivia Stuart, LMSW, is a Research Assistant with Carnevale Associates, LLC. She has experience researching, writing, and presenting on a wide variety of topics in the fields of behavioral health and criminal justice. She provides programmatic support and training and technical assistance (TTA) for SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center (SPTAC) and the Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC), wherein she provides expertise in substance use prevention and mental health. Ms. Stuart is also a licensed master social worker in the state of Virginia.