Products and Resources Catalog

Cultural Intersections Across the Continuum of Care Southeast TTC’s Collaborative Virtual Summit   Join the Southeast TTC’s Collaborative Virtual Summit! Are you a professional or practitioner in the field of prevention, treatment, recovery, or mental health services within the southeastern United States? If so, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Southeast Technology Transfer Centers (TTCs) invite you to our illuminating event: "Cultural Intersections Across the Continuum of Care." The Technology Transfer Centers (TTC) play a crucial role in developing and fortifying the specialized workforce that provides prevention, treatment and recovery support services for substance use disorder and mental health. The Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center (SE ATTC), Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (SE MHTTC), and Prevention Technology Transfer Center (SE PTTC) will lead discussions, share insights, ideas, and best practices within their specialized areas. This regionally relevant summit will focus on the intersection of culture and illuminate the challenges and approaches experienced across the continuum of behavioral health.   Supplemental Resources: Presentation Slides - Cultural Intersections SE TTC Collaboration   Key Themes: Equity Across Borders: Explore how cultural intersections impact prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts in diverse communities across the southeastern United States. Continuum of Care: Examine the continuum of care and the role of equity in prevention, addiction science, and mental health services. Challenges and Opportunities: Engage in thought-provoking discussions on the challenges and opportunities faced in ensuring health equity in substance use prevention and mental health services.   Presenters: CAPT Michael King, PhD, MSW, Regional Director Albert Gay, MS, CPC Lucy Cannon, EdD, LCSW, CCDP-D, MATS Pierluigi Mancini, PhD  

Access free, self-paced online courses through HealtheKnowledge to enhance your substance misuse prevention knowledge and skills.  Upon finishing these courses, participants receive certificates of completion. Don't have a HealtheKnowledge account? Sign up for free and start browsing substance misuse prevention courses.  

This one-page brief highlights some of the resources individuals can access to help them study for the IC&RC Prevention Certification exam. To learn more about the prevention certification requirements for your own state, visit the PTTC's Prevention Specialist Certification Requirements page.    

This brief compares and contrasts the mission, services and audiences of the PTTC Network and SPTAC, and describes how to take advantage of their excellent free prevention resources.

Pre-Session Learning Activity: 30 minutes In-Class Learning Activity: 50 minutes Instructor Packet Student Packet Slide Deck   Purpose To create a dynamic and engaging learning experience where students can explore, discuss, and apply their understanding of the factors influencing substance use and misuse through individual and interactive activities.   Learning Objectives Define Modifiable and Nonmodifiable risk and protective factors. Identify the four levels in the CDC’s Social-Ecological Framework for Prevention. List at least four research-based risk and protective factors for substance misuse across the lifespan    

Pre-Session Learning Activity: 30 minutes In-Class Learning Activity: 50 minutes Instructor Packet Student Packet Slide Deck   Purpose To enable students to understand Social Determinants of Health and their influence on substance use and misuse through individual and interactive activities.   Learning Objectives Describe each component of the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and connect these to health promotion and prevention. Explain the importance of health equity in promoting protection and reducing risk for substance misuse.    

Pre-Session Learning Activity: 30 minutes In-Class Learning Activity: 30 minutes Instructor Packet Student Packet Slide Deck   Purpose To enable students to understand the significance of substance use prevention, categorize prevention approaches, understand the spectrum of behavioral health care services, and apply the concepts through individual and interactive activities.   Learning Objectives Categorize the four types of behavioral health services by each of the Spectrum of Mental Emotional and Behavioral Health. Characterize Universal, Selective, and Indicated prevention services through an application activity.    

Pre-Session Learning Activity: 30 minutes In-Class Learning Activity: 30 minutes Instructor Packet Student Packet Slide Deck   Purpose To help students define substance misuse prevention by distinguishing between upstream and downstream approaches and then applying these concepts through a combination of individual and interactive activities.   Learning Objectives Distinguish Substance use prevention from substance use treatment. Explain the shift from “downstream” to “upstream” approaches to public health    

Empowering Prevention Professionals: A Deep Dive into Certification, Equity, and Essential Resources   Join the Southeast PTTC for this transformative webinar that unravels the pivotal role of certification for prevention professionals. In this session, we addressed the stark realities of pay equity and the hurdles many face in the path to certification. Dive deep into the state-specific requirements and arm yourself with the tools to make your journey smoother. As a highlight, we were joined by Nicole M Augustine, who shared a comprehensive study guide tailored for aspirants and introduced the Southeast PTTC’s enriching online course available on HealtheKnowledge that encapsulates the foundational performance domains integral to the certification test. This session also included a robust Q&A session where attendees clarified their questions and began a successful career trajectory in prevention.   Supplemental Resources: Webinar Workbook Presentation Slides Community Coalition Alliance Training Worksheet   Learning Objectives: Recognize the significance of certification in shaping a prevention professional’s career and its implications on pay equity. Identify the common challenges faced by professionals in obtaining certification and strategies to overcome them. Gain clarity on the varying certification prerequisites and procedures across different states. Familiarize oneself with the newly released study guide tailored to assist professionals in their certification journey. Understand the structure and content of the HealtheKnowledge online course which provides an overview of the pivotal performance domains essential for the test. Engage in a Q&A session to address individual concerns, doubts, and curiosities regarding the certification process and the resources available.    Presenter: Nicole M. Augustine, Founder & CEO of RIZE Consultants, Inc. Nicole M Augustine is the founder and CEO of RIZE Consultants. With nearly 15 years of experience in the industry, Nicole is a seasoned strategist and advisor who has helped numerous companies across various sectors achieve their goals and grow their businesses. Her expertise includes business planning, strategic management, financial analysis, and organizational development, all while centering health equity and ensuring vulnerable communities have the resources they need to thrive. Nicole is a dedicated and driven leader who is passionate about helping her clients succeed. In addition to managing RIZE Consultants, Nicole serves as an Advanced Implementation Specialist with the Opioid Response Network and a consultant to the Prevention Technology Transfer Center.

Practical Skills in Prevention: A Series Focused on Soft Skills When it comes to building workforce capacity, some fields overlook the importance of practical or “soft skills” as they are not as tangible as technical or “hard skills.” Soft skills are abilities that relate to how you work and interact with others. Soft skills are transferable, and useful in every domain of life. Soft skills enable you to collaborate, build relationships, and enhance productivity. For prevention professionals, strong communication skills instill confidence to engage with communities, foster meaningful connections and strengthen relationships. Developing soft skills may take time but is essential for advancing in the modern prevention workforce.   Supplemental Resources: Presentation Slides Leading Community Change Handout (Prosper & Partners) Discussion Prompts for Leading Community Change Worksheet (Prosper & Partners)   Session 2: Contagious Leadership! If there is such a thing? Join us for an engaging webinar addressing burnout and high turnover in the prevention field. Prevention leaders face the challenge of attracting and retaining talented professionals in a competitive job market, where expectations are ever-changing. This interactive webinar covered the transformational leadership model and how it can improve team morale and personnel retention. Participants had the opportunity to discuss a case study, which allowed them to actively apply the leadership model and explore its potential applicability within their own work context.   Learning Objectives: Explore the challenges of retaining prevention professionals Define transformative leadership  Brainstorm strategies to motivate and engage prevention professionals   Presenter: Colber Prosper, M.S. Colber Prosper, M.S., is the CEO of Prosper & Partners International Consulting Firm, LLC and authored the book title, No Entry Examining the Powers that Undermine our Full Potential. Colber is an expert in various areas like education, organizational development, community public health and prevention. However, all of this work is centered around building community and creating inclusive spaces for all. He is passionate about spirituality, social justice, humans and South Florida sport teams.  

Practical Skills in Prevention: A Series Focused on Soft Skills When it comes to building workforce capacity, some fields overlook the importance of practical or “soft skills” as they are not as tangible as technical or “hard skills.” Soft skills are abilities that relate to how you work and interact with others. Soft skills are transferable, and useful in every domain of life. Soft skills enable you to collaborate, build relationships, and enhance productivity. For prevention professionals, strong communication skills instill confidence to engage with communities, foster meaningful connections and strengthen relationships. Developing soft skills may take time but is essential for advancing in the modern prevention workforce.   Supplemental Resources: Presentation Slides Exploratory Questions to Increase Contact Worksheet (Prosper & Partners) Identifying Group Belonging Worksheet (Prosper & Partners)   Session 1: Nurturing a Sense of Belonging The goal of this webinar is to explore the concept of belonging in our communities and its application in the prevention field. Dr. Kelly-Ann writes that a sense of belonging, "is a fundamental human need that predicts numerous mental, physical, social, economic and behavior outcomes." If this is true, do we have a responsibility to make sure everyone in our communities feels like they belong? What's the individual community member's responsibility? This interactive session explored these questions and how forms of exclusion can lead to substance use/misuse. Participants were placed in breakout groups to discuss and brainstorm strategies to recruit and retain diverse community members to lead prevention initiatives.   Learning Objectives: Define what is meant by "a sense of belonging" Analyze past recruitment and retention efforts and their effectiveness  Design a preliminary recruitment action plan   Presenter: Colber Prosper, M.S. Colber Prosper, M.S., is the CEO of Prosper & Partners International Consulting Firm, LLC and authored the book title, No Entry Examining the Powers that Undermine our Full Potential. Colber is an expert in various areas like education, organizational development, community public health and prevention. However, all of this work is centered around building community and creating inclusive spaces for all. He is passionate about spirituality, social justice, humans and South Florida sport teams.      

Shanelle Moore recently completed the Building Our Leadership and Diversity (BOLD) Prevention Fellowship Program which was established to focus on increasing the number of prevention scientists working within Black/African American communities. Shanelle represented the Mid-America PTTC through this process, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Public Health from University of Missouri. Shanelle describes her purpose in life as being the voice for the underserved populations in the face of adversity.  She was born and raised in Chicago, IL. and since relocating to Columbia, MO she’s developed a love for helping people and found that to be her area of passion.  The funder of this project, along with all other products of the Mid-America PTTC is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although funded by SAMHSA, the content of this recording does not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA. The Mission of the African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence is to address the need for greater equity and effectiveness in behavioral health services for African Americans. The center is determined to help transform behavioral health services for African Americans. To learn more visit - https://africanamericanbehavioralhealth.org View Shanelle's Paper  Read about Fellow Participants

Recording: A Focus on Coalition Best Practices      This 90-minute webinar will provide attendees with a deeper understanding of how and why we use coalitions in substance misuse prevention efforts. We will focus on research-based best practices for coalition functioning, structure, membership, and leadership.  Participants will engage in discussion on their experiences, successes, and challenges in community coalition work in their area.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Define coalitions Describe why coalitions are essential to prevention List research-based best practices for coalitions Understand the importance of a diverse coalition that reflects the community population     PRESENTERS:  Erin Ficker Erin Ficker serves as a prevention manager for the Great Lakes PTTC. For more than 16 years, Erin has worked in substance abuse prevention supporting communities to use evidence-based strategies and data-driven processes in substance abuse prevention planning and implementation.  She works with community level prevention practitioners and schools in the development, implementation, evaluation, and sustainability of prevention interventions. Michelle Majeres  Michelle Majeres is a senior prevention specialist with over 18 years in the field and lives in South Dakota. She is an experienced trainer in substance misuse prevention, suicide prevention and mental health promotion. Michelle is trained to deliver several evidence-based prevention programs.  She brings extensive experience as a trainer and technical assistance (T/TA) provider. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with an emphasis on Social Work and Human Resources from South Dakota State University. She is also a Certified Prevention Specialist.  

Many prevention specialists may not have experience working with immigrant, refugee, asylum-seeking individuals. It is important to learn about these communities in order to deliver substance misuse prevention programs that are culturally responsive and effective. This guide and job aid were created to offer prevention professionals basic information that may useful when working with immigrant populations in the Great Lakes region (Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Ohio).

SAMHSA's National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification (Spanish Version)     This Spanish model standards guidance document, SAMHSA's National Model Standards for Peer Support Certification, is prepared in response to President Biden's 2022 Unity Agenda. This document outlines model standards for substance use disorder, mental health, and family/youth peer support certification.   Modelo nacional de normas para la certificación de apoyo entre pares El documento guía de modelo de normas de SAMHSA titulado, Modelo nacional de normas para la certificación de apoyo entre pares, ha sido preparado como respuesta a la agenda de unidad del 2022 del presidente Biden. Este documento delinea el modelo nacional de normas en el área del consumo de sustancias, la salud mental la familia así como también la certificación de apoyo entre pares jóvenes.     Publication ID: PEP23-10-01-002 Publication Date: September 2023 Originally published by SAMHSA, here: https://store.samhsa.gov/product/national-model-standards-for-peer-support-certification-spanish/pep23-10-01-002     

My Guest during this episode is Sierra Thomas. She is new to the prevention world, becoming a Community Prevention Specialist in June of 2023. She previously worked as a certified elementary school counselor and continues to love helping others grow in their mental health and wellness journeys. I met Sierra at a professional development workshop, and she shared with me one of her 28 in 28 goals is to be a podcast guest, so I invited her to the Prevention Perk to chat about her leap into the prevention workforce.  She currently resides in KCMO, but hails from small town South Dakota. During this conversation I hope to learn about, “why the leap into prevention” , “what she hopes from this career path”, and most importantly about her dog Harper." The funder of this project, along with all other products of the Mid-America PTTC is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although funded by SAMHSA, the content of this recording does not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA. To learn more visit www.samhsa.gov The 2023–2026 SAMHSA Strategic Plan presents a new person-centered mission and vision highlighting key guiding principles and presenting new priorities, goals, and objectives. To achieve its mission, SAMHSA has identified five priorities, including strengthening the workforce, to better meet the behavioral health needs of individuals, communities, and service providers. To view the strategic plan visit -  https://www.samhsa.gov/about-us/strategic-plan

My guest in this episode is Dave Closson, who many of our listeners may know as the previous project director here at region 7 PTTC. As the creator of DJC Solutions he continues his work in the field of prevention, developing people and products that meet the demands of today’s workforce. You can also hear Dave on the regular as the host of Prevention Leaders with Dave Closson. It’s always a pleasure to get a chance to speak with the man who lives by the belief that prevention is better together and together, we are stronger.

Session 1 - Prevention Leadership Through a Culturally Humble Lens   This interactive course provided a foundational conversation that placed the idea of prevention leadership in the context of cultural humility, inequity, and social justice.   Learning Objectives: Define cultural humility. Identify the difference between cultural humility vs. cultural competence.  Discuss the importance of these topics within the context of current SUD prevention priorities, and prevention leadership.  Discuss potential resources for prevention leaders.   Access the supplemental resources associated with this virtual training opportunity via the download button above.

The funder of this project, along with all other products of the Mid-America PTTC is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although funded by SAMHSA, the content of this recording does not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA. During this episode we’re discussing The Eight Professional Competencies for Higher Education Substance Misuse Prevention. To download a copy of the guide visit www.preventioncompetencies.org    David Anderson, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus of Education and Human Development at George Mason University, where he worked for 28 years; he served as Professor and Director of the Center for the Advancement of Public Health.  Prior to that, he served as a college administrator at The Ohio State University, Radford University and Ohio University. He has managed hundreds of national state and local projects while teaching graduate and undergraduate classes.  An active researcher and writer, he has decades-long research on college drug and alcohol issues, high school youth and community efforts. The focus of his work is upon practical applications for youth, young adults, and leaders at the campus, community, state and national level, and he continues with training, speaking and research.  His two most recent books are Leading Campus Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention: Grounded Approaches for Student Impact (co-authored with Thomas Hall; NASPA, 2021) and Leadership in Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention: Insights from Long-Term Advocates (Routledge, 2020).  Other recent books include Health and Safety Communication: A Practical Guide Forward (2017), Wellness Issues for Higher Education (2015) and Further Wellness Issues for Higher Education (2016). He orchestrates the College Alcohol Survey, a triennial survey on campus strategies addressing drug and alcohol misuse, done since 1979 through 2021.  He serves on the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention’s National Advisory Council and the American College Health Association’s COVID-19 Task Force.  He is active as a community leader in Celebration, Florida, where he serves as a Director with the Celebration Residential Owners Association. ​​​​​​ To gain a deeper understanding of the subject we’re discussing with Dr. David Anderson, listen to the 8-part series about the Professional Competencies for Higher Education Substance Misuse Prevention. A link to the series is available at www.preventioncompetencies.org

  Use the attached fillable PDF to help develop your "why" and think of ways you can share it.     

The Advanced Ethics for Prevention Professionals course provide participants opportunities to:  Refresh their understanding of the six principles of the Prevention Code of Ethics Explore ethical issues related to prevention topics Practice applying the Prevention Code of Ethics to real-life situations using an ethical decision-making process   Who should take this course?  The course was designed for experienced prevention professionals who have previously completed a foundational prevention ethics course. If you have not yet completed a foundational prevention ethics course, it is recommended that you complete the free, 6-hour, moderated Ethics in Prevention Foundations course OR the 3-hour, self-paced Ethics in Prevention Foundations course located on HealtheKnowledge (HEK).   The course includes: Introduction Module 1: A review of the Six Principles of the Prevention Code of Ethics Module 2: Ethical Decision-Making Process Module 3: Applying the Prevention Code of Ethics and the Ethical Decision-Making Process in Real-World Situations     Create a FREE HealtheKnowledge.org account to access this course 24/7. Click below to get started: Create Account and Start Course Now or Later Complete the course at your own pace!   A certificate for one (2) contact hours (CEHs) is available upon completion. *See our Continuing Education page for more information   This eLearning course was developed by the Mountain Plains PTTC.

3-Part Webinar Series: Improving Workforce Retention in the Substance Misuse Prevention Field Series Information    Part 3: The Soul of Prevention - Identifying and Communicating the Spirit of Your Work June 1, 2023    Presented by: Jason Anderson, Senior Trainer @ The Montana Institute   The challenges that prevention professionals face can take their toll. Let’s sit down for a minute and gather ourselves. In this workshop, participants will be given the opportunity to reconnect to the underlying spirit of their work and discuss the impact of communicating who they are.   After this webinar, participants will be able to: Define and understand the Science of the Positive and the Cycle of Transformation. Discover the important distinction between honoring concerns vs. negativity. Rediscover and reinforce the rewards of prevention work.     Webinar Resource: PowerPoint slides LINK Webinar Recording NO LONGER AVAILBLE Your WHY Matters (Fillable PDF) LINK #MyPreventionStory Fill-It-In Activity LINK  

Nicole M Augustine is the Founder & CEO RIZE Consultants, Inc, a strategic consulting firm founded in January 2015. Nicole is an entrepreneur, public health professional and social justice advocate. Nicole gained the Prevention Specialist credential in 2014 and has worked at every level of prevention practice - from providing prevention education to providing training and technical assistance to communities, states, and federal agencies. In August 2022, Nicole published the Prevention Specialist Exam Study Guide to help readers understand the competencies and knowledge necessary to become a Prevention Specialist (PS) and adequately prepare prevention professionals to pass the Prevention Specialist certification exam. Nicole is a passionate prevention thought leader with a desire to be of greater impact and drive community change through innovative strategies.   Show Notes: Email: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolemaugustine Web: www.rizeconsultants.com Book: Prevention Specialist Exam Study Guide Articles: https://www.brainzmagazine.com/executive-contributor/Nicole-M.-Augustine The funder of this project, along with all other products of the Mid-America PTTC is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although funded by SAMHSA, the content of this recording does not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA. The National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health (NNED) is a network of community-based organizations focused on the mental health and substance use issues of diverse racial and ethnic communities.  Learn more at https://nned.net The Prevention Core Competencies guide provides professional direction affecting staff development, career ladders and pipelines, and provides guidance for training programs and service delivery qualification. SAMHSA Prevention Core Competencies.

3-Part Webinar Series: Improving Workforce Retention in the Substance Misuse Prevention Field  Series Information    Part 2: What Makes Them Stay? Help Write the Playbook for Prevention Workforce Retention May 25, 2023    Presented by: Jamie Comstock & Robin Carr @ Info Inspired, LLC   In this peer sharing session we’ll present a series of guided questions and facilitate a discussion to learn more about your ideas/thoughts concerning retention of prevention specialists with the goal of developing strategies to attract and keep a diverse, vibrant, strong and experienced workforce. This session is appropriate for the continuum of prevention professionals, ranging from new staff to seasoned supervisors. The discussion is designed to uncover needs of new employees in the field and strategies employed by experienced (and successful) supervisors - with the goal of supporting all in the prevention workforce.   Webinar Resource: PowerPoint slides LINK Retention Themes and Strategies Document LINK Webinar Recording LINK