Products and Resources Catalog

Description: This two-hour training explores Harm Reduction strategies, or interventions aimed at reducing negative consequences related to substance use or other risk behaviors. Session reviews misunderstandings and barriers to helping people who actively use substances and informs on the 8 principles of harm reduction and how they apply in behavioral health." Presenter: Diana Padilla, MCPC, CARC, CASAC-T, is a Research Project Manager at New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Medical Center. She is a senior staff trainer for the Northeast & Caribbean Addiction Transfer Technology Center Network (NeC-ATTC), and a member of the ASAP-NYCB Trainer Registry. As a cultural agent, Ms. Padilla promotes an equity lens in trainings for engaging diverse communities in need, aligning with evidence and strength-based strategies within behavioral health, addiction, prevention, and recovery supports fields and professional capacities.

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. PPT Reducing youth substance misuse HHS Risk and Protective Factors MHTTC School Mental Health initiative Highlights 2022-2023   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.    

  In 1981, the U.S. Congress included in legislation 6 primary prevention strategy categories, commonly known as the “6 CSAP Strategies.” Since 1981, much knowledge has been gained through research on effective and ineffective substance misuse prevention strategies. This 90-minute webinar will present the evidence for the six categories, as well as explore the spectrum of strategies that fall into each category, focusing on our current knowledge of effective and ineffective prevention strategies within each of the six categories.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: List the 6 CSAP primary prevention strategy categories Describe the evidence base for each CSAP strategy category Describe current evidence regarding effective and ineffective prevention strategies in each CSAP strategy category   GUIDE: What Research Shows Does NOT Work in Substance Misuse Prevention This guide was created to help substance misuse prevention practitioners identify ineffective approaches to substance misuse prevention   PRESENTER:  Ashley Bodiford Ashley Bodiford is the Director of Prevention at LRADAC where she develops, implements, and maintains effective prevention services for Richland and Lexington counties. Mrs. Bodiford has been in the field of substance use prevention since 2010 and is skilled in universal, selective, and indicated prevention strategies. She enjoys bringing insight to the field of Prevention through innovative techniques and collaborating with community partners. Ashley has provided training and technical assistance in the areas of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention, cultural diversity and competence, community coalition building, needs assessment, implementation strategies, and other prevention-related topics. Mrs. Bodiford holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Developmental Psychology, a Master in Public Health, and a Master in Human Services. In 2012, she was named the recipient of the Jan Oglietti Rising Star Prevention Professional Award for outstanding contributions to the field of prevention, and in 2016 was named the recipient of the Norman Peter Johnson Outstanding Prevention Professional Award. Most recently, Ashley was named as a Subject Matter Expert by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) and was tasked with item writing for the Prevention Specialist credential exam.   The Great Lakes A/MH/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.

This webinar focuses a roundtable discussion on sustaining collaborator relationships for preventionists, followed by a question and answer portion.  Featured speakers are Capetra Parker, Dan Fitzgerald, Bethanie Rado, and Amy Mellick-Wetzel.

In this concise, high-impact micro-training, you will uncover the key criteria for selecting evidence-based interventions and learn how to conduct a side-by-side analysis using the Pacific Southwest PTTC’s Prevention Intervention Comparison Checklist to identify the best fit for your community. This Prevention PowerByte offers practical guidance as we walk you through the checklist, demonstrating how to use it with your planning team to choose the most effective interventions for supporting your community's substance misuse prevention efforts.   Tools for Selecting Best-Fit Interventions: A Checklist for Prevention Practitioners Recording Prevention Intervention Comparison Checklist The Pacific Southwest PTTC is dedicated to providing training and technical assistance services to the substance misuse prevention field. For more information about our services, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Increase your health equity impact in prevention by elevating your objectives from “SMART” to “SMARTIE!” In this brief, high-impact Prevention PowerByte session, participants will learn how to develop Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound, Inclusive, and Equitable (SMARTIE) objectives to drive impactful prevention strategies. This micro-training offers practical tips along with a worksheet to help professionals craft clear and actionable objectives. Perfect for busy practitioners, this micro-training delivers all the SMARTIE essentials in under 10 minutes!   Worksheet: SMARTIE Objectives Creating SMARTIE Objectives to Achieve Big Goals Recording   The Pacific Southwest PTTC is dedicated to providing training and technical assistance services to the substance misuse prevention field. For more information about our services, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Equity in Action: Crafting Inclusive Prevention Communication How to incorporate racial and cultural equity into prevention messaging, training, and other communication.   This interactive skill-building workshop will explore the use of culture in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) prevention communications. We will explore how the enhanced National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standard – Communication and Language Assistance provides guidance on improving: Trust Among Various Populations Participant Comfort and Satisfaction Program Effectiveness Positive Participant Outcomes   Supplemental Resources: Presentation Slides Resource Handout   Learning Objectives: Review Cultural Humility. Explore the enhanced National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standard – Communication and Language Assistance. Learn how to incorporate racial and cultural equity into prevention messaging, training, and other communication. Practice methods to incorporate racial and cultural equity into prevention messaging, training, and other communication. Develop a plan to incorporate racial and cultural equity into prevention messaging, training, and other communication. Share experiences and learn from others.   About the Workshop: It is an interactive, educational, and mutual learning session designed to create specialized results and products. This 3-hour workshop is longer than the typical webinar and requires more preparation beforehand. This workshop will include collaborative activities, allow for time to work on your community’s issues, and participants will work on a process that will generate a product that can be used in their communities. Participants are urged to participate as a team (at least two members of a program) to ensure that the workshop will lead to the desired result. There are hands-on interactive activities.   Presented by Michael Browning: Michael Browning, nationally recognized public health and Substance Use Disorder program developer, policy analyst, and trainer, has a passion for constituent-led community advocacy. He has provided support to several governmental agencies by providing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention proven practices in capability building, training, and day-to-day technical assistance to assist the departments in planning, grantee support and technical assistance and community engagement. Including and not limited to: US Federal government, State of California, District of Columbia, Atlanta, County of Los Angeles, Kern County, the County of San Bernardino, and other CA counties. He is a proven grant writer and program developer. He was a senior administrative analyst for the University of California, Berkeley - Institute for the Study of Social Change (now: Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, Prevention by Design). He is currently the Interim president of the Insight Center for Community Economic Development. Browning was an executive director of a non-profit community coalition and deputy director at another. He has over 35 years of local, state, and national substance use disorder (SUD) prevention and tobacco control and prevention, early intervention and treatment, youth services, community organization, early childhood education, violence prevention, HIV/AIDS, public health, cultural proficiency development, program planning, development and evaluation, public policy advocacy, and strategic planning experience. His former employers include community-based programs in Pasadena, Inglewood, Los Angeles, and Michigan. Browning provided direct support to President Jimmy Carter’s “The Atlanta Project” and the Hilton Foundation’s Project Alert. Browning was a master trainer at CADCA for over 20 years. He is the former president of the Van Nuys Neighborhood Council, member of LAPD’s Van Nuys Division Community Police Advisory Board, health chair of the San Fernando Valley NAACP, and chair of the USC COVID-19 Community Advisory Board. Browning is a graduate of the University of Southern California and was a fellow at Boston University.

Webinar Description: As prevention professionals, facilitation in both virtual and face-to-face spaces is an integral part of our work. The ability to convene partners -- whether in meetings, trainings or events – and lead them through collaborative decision-making and other processes is essential to the success of community-based change efforts. This session looked at the art and science of facilitation, the skills needed for successful facilitation and discussed real-world tips and techniques for consensus-building with groups and managing group dynamics. Session Learning Objectives included: Describing the facilitation skills prevention practitioners need Identifying techniques for managing group processes and dynamics Identifying strategies for handling challenging situations as a facilitation   Presenter Info: Sandra Puerini Del Sesto, M.Ed, ACPS is a consultant and master trainer in behavioral health and strategic planning for states and non-profits. For over thirty-five years, Ms. Del Sesto has provided training throughout the United States in all areas of prevention practice.   Jess Goldberg, MSW, MPH, CPS, is a Training and Technical Assistance Specialist with Education Development Center. She specializes in building capacity to improve behavioral health at the national, state, regional and local levels.

New research-based substance misuse prevention tools supporting Workforce Development: Recruiting, Training, Retaining Diverse Professionals across the Career Lattice. Prevention Product Development for the New England Region. Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on August 6, 2024).   CENTERING CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC EQUITY IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: A GUIDE TO INCREASING HISPANIC AND LATINO REPRESENTATION IN COMMUNITY-BASED PREVENTION This is a guide for behavioral health leaders and organizations looking to diversify their staff and/or programs by increasing Hispanic and Latino representation in community-based prevention. For some communities, this may mean increasing Hispanic and Latino hiring, while for others this may mean increasing the reach of current programming to include Hispanic and Latino populations. Christina Mancebo-Torres, MPH, Senior Fellow, Massachusetts Christina Mancebo-Torres, MPH is the Assistant Director and Co-Founder of the Centro de Ayuda y Esperanza Latina, Inc. (Latin Center for Help and Hope), located in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Christina is a bilingual prevention professional with experience in program delivery in the United States and the Dominican Republic. She is located in Southeastern Massachusetts where she previously worked on a number of prevention initiatives, including one of the only Hispanic and Latino-led opioid prevention programs in the state of Massachusetts. Christina is a current doctoral student in Health Sciences with a concentration in Trauma Informed Care, and also holds a Master’s degree in Public Health and Graduate Certificates in Epidemiology and Global Health. DOWNLOAD THE PRODUCT.   MY FIRST YEAR IN PREVENTION: A GUIDE TO LEARNING THE FIELD A guide for new professionals working in the field of prevention to support learning of key concepts proven to help preventionists improve policies, practices, programs, and environments that make it easier for people to thrive. The guide includes a timeline for the first year of training, common acronyms, and links to resources and newsletters for additional learning. The appendix includes supporting materials as well as a section for supervisors to engage the new employee in thoughtful reflection related to their learning. In addition to a printable version of the guide, Mariah has also included links to editable templates in both Canva and Google documents to allow supervisors to create their own versions that add in additional learning and resources to fit the needs of their organization or the individual employee. Mariah Flynn, Senior Fellow, Vermont Mariah Flynn is a Certified Prevention Specialist who has worked in the substance misuse field in Vermont for 20+ years as a counselor, a case manager, and for the last 16 years as the Director of the Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community, a substance misuse prevention coalition serving Burlington, Vermont. She is a founding member of Prevention Works! VT, the Chittenden Prevention Network, and the Northwest Regional Prevention Network; statewide and regional efforts to coordinate substance use prevention resources and strategies for the areas, and she serves on the Steering Committee of Prevention Works! VT. Mariah previously served as the Coordinator of the Tobacco Free College Campus Initiative for the state of Vermont, and has completed two Fellowships with the New England PTTC. In her personal time she supports local initiatives that help youth thrive, including her own two teenagers, in her hometown of Essex Junction. Mariah is passionate about building communities that provide youth and families with the skills and environment that supports healthy choices. DOWNLOAD THE PRODUCT My First Year in Prevention: A Learning Guide My First Year in Prevention: A Learning Guide for the Vermont Prevention Professional Make this resource work for you:  General Canva TEMPLATE Vermont Specific Canva TEMPLATE Google Drive documents from this guide are available to edit   PUTTING THE HUMAN BACK INTO HUMAN SERVICES: EMBRACING A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIELD OF PREVENTION A dialogue guide for organizations – particularly in the field of health and human services (with a focus on substance use prevention) – that offers a more holistic and dignified approach to workforce development. Through a dynamic and relational process that emphasizes self-examination, reflection, curiosity, and creativity, this guide centers the humanity of personnel. The ideas and practices suggested in this guide offer a potential pathway to a healthier workplace – and more effective workforce – by emphasizing relationships, practice, and personal growth. FJ Perfas, B.S.B.A., CPS, Senior Fellow, Massachusetts FJ Perfas is a dedicated prevention professional with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where he leads community-based youth substance misuse prevention initiatives for the Department of Public Health. With a deep conviction that prevention is a vital component in fostering health and enhancing quality of life, FJ integrates restorative and strength-based approaches into his work. He believes that cultivating meaningful relationships is essential for building resilient individuals and thriving communities. Outside of his professional life, FJ is an enthusiastic outdoorsman who finds joy in exploring the mountains and oceans of New England, reflecting his passion for the region’s natural beauty. DOWNLOAD THE PRODUCT.   TOOLS: FOR A WORKING MEETING This resource is a cooperative card game designed to teach the mechanics of working meetings where everyone participates and everyone’s participation is valued. Through this experiential learning experience, players understand for themselves what it is like to participate in an equitable and inclusive meeting. It is intended for use in workshops, team-building exercises, and other small group settings. Em Delaney, CPS, Fellow, Vermont Em Delaney serves as the Communications Coordinator for Healthy Lamoille Valley, a coalition and program of the Lamoille Family Center in Vermont. She has worked in Vermont nonprofits as a technical communicator, information designer, and project coordinator for over a decade as well as spending several years in collective management. She believes the presence of equity in the workplace leads to a sense of belonging and provides an environment where expression and thought are encouraged. Em is a certified prevention specialist and currently serves on the Vermont CPS Board. She holds an MA in education and an MFA in interdisciplinary art and is working on a certificate in technical communication. DOWNLOAD THE PRODUCT Tools for a Working Meeting - A Cooperative Card Game for Two or More Players (PRINT VERSION) Tools for a Working Meeting - A Cooperative Card Game for Two or More Players (WEB FRIENDLY)   LGBTQIA+ HIRING PRACTICES FOR THE PREVENTION WORKFORCE This guide is intended to provide employers with the hiring experiences and challenges of, and guidelines for important considerations when recruiting and hiring, LGBTQIA+ folx. Resources for training and deeper conversations are also included. Alissa Cannon, CPS, Senior Fellow, New Hampshire Alissa Cannon is a Certified Prevention Specialist working in the field of Juvenile Justice and Prevention for the New Hampshire Juvenile Court Diversion Network, a statewide Nonprofit Organization coordinating screening for substance use and mental health in juvenile court diversion programs. She has worked in the areas of prevention and community/school-based health education for nearly 15 years and has enjoyed every moment of it. She also proudly serves on the Prevention Taskforce of the NH Governor’s Commission on Prevention, Treatment & Recovery, the Alcohol & Other Drug Policy Advisory Committee for New Futures and is actively working with the NH Service to Science Expert Panel to designate the NH Juvenile Court Diversion Model as Evidence-Based. Alissa is originally from south Louisiana, but now resides in New Hampshire with her wife and their two rescue dogs, Conrad and Gronk. DOWNLOAD THE PRODUCT.   DISARMING MICROAGGRESSIONS & MACROAGGRESSIONS TO PROMOTE A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE PREVENTION WORKFORCE This guide is meant to assist preventionists with identifying the presence of micro- and macroaggressions in everyday life, their manifestation in the field of prevention, and evidence-informed strategies for addressing them. Guidance is also provided to prevention leaders on promoting equity and inclusion across the prevention career lattice to support a more diverse prevention workforce that can address prevention disparities in communities. Michael Awad, PhD, Senior Fellow, Connecticut Michael Awad, PhD is a licensed psychologist that has worked in the field of mental health for over 10 years focusing on improving access, utilization, and outcomes of prevention and treatment services for youth and families. Michael led the New Haven Prevention Council, a community coalition of youth and parents, healthcare providers, school, civic and government leaders, law enforcement professionals dedicated to preventing and reducing the incidence and impact of substance use on youth in New Haven, Connecticut. He also developed the OneStep Program, a comprehensive school-based prevention and health promotion program that uses social media and positive youth development to address multiple social ecological influences implicated in adolescent substance use. Michael earned his doctorate in counseling psychology from Columbia University and completed a National Institute of Drug Abuse postdoctoral fellowship in substance abuse prevention at the Yale School of Medicine. DOWNLOAD THE PRODUCT.     View the 2021 products.   View the 2022 products.   View the 2023 products.

  The college years are a time when students may experiment with drugs for the first time. This is why college is the ideal setting to implement substance misuse prevention strategies. This webinar will include an overview of current drug use rates among college students; a strategic planning guide for preventing drug misuse among college students; successes and challenges experienced by colleges and universities applying the Strategic Prevention Framework; a real-world profile of a university’s experience implementing substance misuse prevention strategies; and tools for professionals working to prevent drug misuse among college students.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe the current drug use rates among college students Describe successes and challenges in applying the Strategic Prevention Framework to preventing drug use and misuse among college students Leverage tools for professionals working to prevent drug misuse among college students   Richard Lucey Richard Lucey has more than three decades of experience at the state and federal government levels working to prevent alcohol and drug use and misuse among youth and young adults, especially college students. He currently serves as a senior prevention program manager in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Community Outreach and Prevention Support Section. Rich plans and executes educational and public information programs, evaluates program goals and outcomes, and serves as an advisor to the Section Chief and other DEA officials on drug misuse prevention and education programs. Rich formerly served as special assistant to the director for the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, and worked as an education program specialist in the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.   Erin Ficker  Erin Ficker, MPAff, CPRS, 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.   Jenny Damask  Jenny Demask has worked in college student health and AOD prevention for 18 years, currently at the University of Wisconsin. In her role she helps campus partners strategize and evaluate changes to systems, policies, and environments. She has a brilliant grasp of the public health approach to preventing issues with alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and hazing. She developed several successful educational programs and promotional campaigns involving social norms clarification and bystander intervention. Jenny holds a BS from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in Human Services, a MS in College Student Personnel Administration from the University of Central Missouri, and an Ed.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.

In this engaging 1-hour course, professionals in substance misuse prevention, treatment, and recovery will gain a comprehensive understanding of evaluation practices and their crucial role in planning and success. We will demystify evaluation, making it accessible and encouraging its integration into your work. You’ll learn how planning and evaluation complement each other and discover the importance of monitoring as a distinct yet integral part of evaluation. The course will provide practical ideas on what and how to measure, along with sense-making guidelines. Additionally, you’ll explore the differences and similarities between impact evaluation and contribution analysis, understand the steps involved in contribution analysis, and see real-world examples of its application. Join us to enhance your evaluation skills and ensure your programs achieve their desired impact. This course offers a certificate of completion.

According to the U.S. Attorney General, “Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health.” This 90-minute webinar will explore the concept of social connectedness and its impact on our individual and community health. We will also explore what role we have as substance misuse prevention professionals to address the issue of social connectedness.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Define social connectedness. List at least three impacts of a lack of social connectedness and loneliness. Identify the risk and protective factors for substance misuse that are impacted by social connectedness Name at least three actions that prevention professionals can take to increase social connectedness.   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. Kris Gabrielsen 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, has a Master of Public Health degree, and is a Certified Prevention Specialist. 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 A/MH/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.

Nexus Between Substance Misuse Prevention and Suicide Prevention July 17, 2024   Presented by: Heidi Peterson Dutson, Certified Prevention Specialist Description:   Prevention is an essential part of the continuum in addressing mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders among young people, but it can be a challenge to define and implement. Understanding the robust and trusted field of prevention science can help guide our planning and efforts to make a tremendous impact, especially when working towards suicide prevention and substance use disorder prevention outcomes simultaneously. Participants will be introduced to evidence-based guiding principles in prevention, hear examples of effective community implementation, and learn how to collaborate for greater success.   Objectives: Defining proactive vs. reactive prevention. Focusing on shared risk and protective factors is the 'nexus' to produce shared substance misuse and suicide prevention outcomes. Implementation of effective prevention is guided by collaborative evidence-based frameworks, strategies, and policies.   Webinar Resource: PowerPoint slides LINK Webinar Recording LINK 

  This 90-minute webinar that will provide peer recovery specialists with an introduction to the field of substance misuse prevention. In this interactive session, we will demystify what primary prevention is and is not, introduce the Strategic Prevention Framework, and uncover evidence-based strategies that have proven effective for primary prevention, while debunking those that fall short. This training was created for peer recovery specialists who would like to make a difference in the primary prevention field.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Define primary prevention Explain the 5 steps of the Strategic Prevention Framework Understand how risk and protective factors impact individuals and communities Identify evidence-based approaches that can be used to prevent substance misuse in communities   PRESENTERS:  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, has a Master of Public Health degree, and is a Certified Prevention Specialist. 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.   Kris Kelly, PRS Kris Kelly is a Project Manager at the Peer Recovery Center of Excellence, leading the RCO capacity-building team through the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With over a decade of experience in the in the recovery field, Kris has worked with a wide variety of systems and settings designing and implementing strategies to empower people with lived experience to lead the process in systems change, integrate peer services, and develop recovery-oriented practices. Prior to joining UW, Kris was a director of a Minnesota RCO where she facilitated Recovery Coach training, supervised peer programing, and supported Minnesota’s efforts to grow the Peer Recovery Specialist workforce. She has a passion for holistic wellness in her own recovery journey and has dedicated her personal and professional life to ensuring those who struggle have the opportunity to get well without judgement, without having to jump through countless hoops, and with choice and dignity throughout the process.   The Great Lakes A/MH/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.

Jumpstarting Your Coalition June 20, 2024   Webinar Description During this webinar, we will focus on jumpstarting a prevention coalition for long-term success. During the session we will go on a journey to developing a ‘culture of participation’, including techniques for identifying appropriate members for your local coalition, building relationships, and maintaining coalition engagement. Participants will have the opportunity to learn information as well as apply that knowledge to their local work. Established coalitions will also be able to identify opportunities to strengthen and continue their functioning.   Webinar Objectives In this webinar, participants will: Share the big idea of community-driven prevention (as opposed to coordinator-driven prevention) Identify key readiness elements for community-based prevention Identify a variety of actions to recruit and engage coalition members Identify options for maintaining a culture of participation in their coalition and learn techniques to maintain coalition member engagement   Webinar Recording and Slides Jumpstarting Your Coalition - Recording Jumpstarting Your Coalition - Slide Deck (PDF)   Additional Resources Resources Shared During the Webinar   Presenters Capetra Parker, MPH Capetra Parker, MPH, Prevention Strategist, Evidence2Success Project Director, UW Social Development Research Group. Capetra supports communities across the nation as the Evidence2Success project director and coaches several CTC Plus communities in the U.S. She has also contributed to the workforce development of prevention specialists through training and curriculum development in diverse capacities. Ms. Parker has co-authored journal articles about the implementation of CTC in urban communities through the Center for Healthy African American Men through Partnerships (CHAAMPS). Her work focuses on promoting system changes and cross sector collaboration. She has a special interest in empowering communities to employ strategies that address race, equity, and inclusion disparities. Ms. Parker earned her MPH from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.   Questions Contact Kathy Gardner ([email protected]) if you have additional questions about the content related to this webinar.

Webinar Description: In collaboration with the Pacific Southwest PTTC, this engaging 90-minute webinar aims to deepen understanding of the social determinants of health (SDOH) and explore their significant impact on community health outcomes. Participants will gain insights into the primary preventionist's role in addressing SDOH and learn practical strategies for collaboration with various partners. The session is designed to move beyond the theoretical understanding of SDOH, prompting action by highlighting successful examples and providing actionable steps for prevention providers to integrate these determinants into their work effectively. By focusing on collaboration and action, this webinar seeks to empower participants to make a tangible difference in their communities. By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Define and explain the concept of social determinants of health and their importance in health equity. Identify the role of prevention providers in addressing SDOH within communities. Highlight successful examples of SDOH integration into prevention practices. Offer practical strategies for effective collaboration with other partners working on SDOH. Motivate participants to apply learned strategies in their practice to improve community health outcomes. Presenter: Nicole M. Augustine, Founder & CEO of RIZE Consultants Inc., embodies the spirit of innovation and advocacy in public health. With a vibrant career launched from Cornell University and propelled at George Washington University School of Public Health, Nicole has evolved from a campus harm reduction counselor to a beacon of prevention and equity in public health. A trailblazer in substance misuse prevention and a passionate social justice advocate, Nicole's contributions are not just professional but deeply personal. Her role as an Advanced Implementation Specialist with the Opioid Response Network and consultant to the Prevention Technology Transfer Center underscores her commitment to tangible, widespread change. In 2022, Nicole authored the groundbreaking "Prevention Specialist Exam Study Guide," bridging a crucial gap in the field and empowering professionals to excel in substance misuse prevention.    

  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 A/MH/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

Webinar Description: In collaboration with the Great Lakes PTTC, this engaging 90-minute webinar aims to deepen understanding of the social determinants of health (SDOH) and explore their significant impact on community health outcomes. Participants will gain insights into the primary preventionist's role in addressing SDOH and learn practical strategies for collaboration with various partners. The session is designed to move beyond the theoretical understanding of SDOH, prompting action by highlighting successful examples and providing actionable steps for prevention providers to integrate these determinants into their work effectively. By focusing on collaboration and action, this webinar seeks to empower participants to make a tangible difference in their communities. By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Define and explain the concept of social determinants of health and their importance in health equity. Identify the role of prevention providers in addressing SDOH within communities. Highlight successful examples of SDOH integration into prevention practices. Offer practical strategies for effective collaboration with other partners working on SDOH. Motivate participants to apply learned strategies in their practice to improve community health outcomes.   Post Webinar Materials Integrating Social Determinants of Health Recording Integrating Social Determinants of Health Slide Deck Integrating Social Determinants of Health STRETCH Framework   Presenters: Nicole M. Augustine, Founder & CEO of RIZE Consultants Inc., embodies the spirit of innovation and advocacy in public health. With a vibrant career launched from Cornell University and propelled at George Washington University School of Public Health, Nicole has evolved from a campus harm reduction counselor to a beacon of prevention and equity in public health. A trailblazer in substance misuse prevention and a passionate social justice advocate, Nicole's contributions are not just professional but deeply personal. Her role as an Advanced Implementation Specialist with the Opioid Response Network and consultant to the Prevention Technology Transfer Center underscores her commitment to tangible, widespread change. In 2022, Nicole authored the groundbreaking "Prevention Specialist Exam Study Guide," bridging a crucial gap in the field and empowering professionals to excel in substance misuse prevention.   Certificates of Attendance Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance for 1.5 hours for participating in the live event. Questions? Please email Reagan Hart at ([email protected]) for any questions.

COURSE DESCRIPTION The SSW PTTC region 6 and Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center (SPTAC) regions 6 and 7 provides insights about the "Principles for Prevention Professionals Across the Spectrum," formally the continuum of care. In this comprehensive session, participants explore the fundamental principles that guide effective prevention practices across the entire Spectrum.   Select the View Resource button to watch the recording and link to the materials below. Principles for Prevention Professionals across the Spectrum PPT PRESENTERS Sarah Davis, MNM is the associate director for the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center housed within the Center for Public Health Practice at the Colorado School of Public Health. The Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center is one of 10 HRSA-designated regional public health training centers. She leads a team that provides high-quality, primarily distance-based training to professionals addressing public health issues throughout PTTC Region VIII. She also supports national workforce development efforts as part of the Public Health Learning Network. Sarah holds a Masters in Nonprofit Management and has spent the past 20 years in the public health field working as a project and team leader, a facilitator and trainer, grant writer and manager. Her background includes program planning and implementation, integrating program and policy initiatives, and working with coalitions. Sarah lives in Denver with her husband, high school daughter, and two dogs. Sean P. Byrne, MED, MCP, ICPS, LMSW, LPC-S is the Senior Training and Technical Assistance Specialist for the University of Oklahoma’s Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center.  He is the owner/CEO of The Byrne Center, a private counseling practice serving individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma issues. He has written and been awarded grants to work with local law enforcement doing critical incident debriefings, training a law enforcement peer support team, and a collaborative mental health/law enforcement response team. Sean is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Master of Social Work, Internationally Certified Prevention Specialist, and EMDR therapist who has been engaged in community and individual change for over 30 years. Sean is the former Co-Chair for the Partnership for a Drug Free Oklahoma and co-founder and past President of the Oklahoma Prevention Policy Alliance, a legislative advocacy group that helped pass numerous laws surrounding alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.   Sean has been active in the Oklahoma treatment and prevention systems for his entire career, starting as a Teenline volunteer while in high school and serving as an Executive Director of a regional prevention center for over 20 years. He has a Masters of Secondary Education with an emphasis in Community Mobilization, and a Masters of Counseling Psychology from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and recently completed a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Oklahoma.  

COURSE DESCRIPTION Learn the fundamentals of accessibility, which involves specifically considering the needs of people with disabilities when developing products and services to ensure they benefit everyone. Select View Resource to watch the recording. Below are the training materials. Accessibility PPT Accessibility Training Handout PRESENTER Rachel Karch "With a background in education spanning over twelve years, I have had the privilege of teaching middle school and high school social studies, as well as art education in Oklahoma public schools. My passion for teaching extended beyond the classroom, as I took on the role of mentoring prospective teachers and educating fellow educators on innovative teaching methodologies through a mentorship program with OU. This is when I learned I loved teaching teachers how to learn. My journey in education evolved as I pursued a Master's degree in Instructional Design at the University of Oklahoma, with a specific emphasis on gamification in the classroom. This academic pursuit opened doors to becoming a Curriculum Developer and later, an Instructional Designer with the Center for Public Management at the University of Oklahoma. Soon after I acquired a position as the Instructional Design Manager and Accessibility Manager at the Southwest Prevention Resource Center."

  This 1.5-hour webinar will introduce substance misuse prevention professionals to the basics of media literacy. Media literacy education provides the tools necessary to analyze and understand the impact of media on our everyday decision making.  Participants will identify different types of media and practice analyzation strategies and skills.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Define media literacy and explain the importance of being media literate. Analyze several types of media. Teach media literacy basics to middle school and high school aged individuals.   PRESENTER: Christi Valentini-Lackner, OCPC  Christi Valentini-Lackner is the Chief Program Officer for Community Strategies at PreventionFIRST!. She is an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant (OCPC) who has worked in the prevention field for over 20 years. Christi has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Ohio University, is the Vice President  for the Ohio Prevention Professionals Association and serves on the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board’s Education and Training Committee.  In 2016, she received the ADAPAO Advocate of the Year Award. Christi is an Ohio Coaching and Mentoring (OCAM) Network coach and mentor. The Ohio Coaching & Mentoring Network (OCAM) is a statewide initiative providing capacity building and workforce development for prevention professionals. The OCAM Network is a diverse team of experienced and certified Ohio prevention professionals.   The Great Lakes A/MH/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.

Stigma the Gift that Keeps on Giving: Residual Effects of Stress During the Recovery Process from Active Substance Use Part 1 Demetrie Garner, CPRS, and Shawn Colvin, CPRS, RPS, RCPF June 11, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION While many intricate parts develop a positive outcome to recovery, identifying triggers that cause stress is the first step to a continuous, healthy recovery. Stigma can often become the conduit for environmental and emotional triggers. It is crucial to challenge and dismantle the stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs surrounding addiction and the recovery process. As we unpack the association of stress and triggers, we will close the loop on the missing link of dismantling the negative attitude of doubt facing the newcomer in recovery. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Understand the importance of identifying triggers that cause stress during recovery. Recognize the role of stigma as a potential trigger for stress in individuals in recovery. Investigate the various ways in which stigma can act as environmental and emotional triggers. Consider how dismantling stigma can contribute to a healthier and more successful recovery. PRESENTERS Demetrie Garner, CPRS, as a Peer Recovery Specialist, has been presented with the unique opportunity of working in the largest Emergency Department in the state of Maryland. This has given him the vantage point to encounter minority disparities. A lack of health communication targeted to African-Americans and other minorities help further this disparity. As a Peer Recovery Specialist, the visible cracks of systemic inadequacies in health care and its access garners attention and policy changes in patients with substance use disorders. Having the experience in active addiction abusing opiates, cocaine, and alcohol for 26 years with countless relapses fostered the experience needed to help others in active addiction. Finding recovery over the last 2 and 1/2 years while working in the recovery field has given Demetrie a unique perspective in recidivism and retention throughout the process of recovery. With the help of the God of his understanding (Jesus Christ), Narcotics Anonymous, and healthy relationships, the pathway of a daily reprieve from active addiction is now possible. Continuous work through pastoral licensed counseling has unlocked the acceptance of childhood molestation and recovery from trauma. After 21 years since Demetrie decided to drop out of high school in the 11th grade, education seemed to become more important to obtain. If he wants to help individuals who look like himself and suffer from trauma and active addiction, then higher education has to be pursued. While at the University of Maryland at Baltimore County, currently a sophomore, Demetrie’s interest in studies is in the social science of public health. Future involvement with research is being pursued with patients that have wait times in emergency rooms with substance use disorders. Previous research this past semester has examined minorities hesitancy to receive Covid vaccinations. Shawn Colvin, CPRS, RPS, RCPF, has been working in the field of recovery professionally for 10 1/2 years at the Helping Up Mission in Baltimore City. He has been clean and sober for 13 years. Shawn loves being a Treatment Manager, Peer Specialist, Facilitator, and Treatment Coordinator! Shawn has a passion for assisting others toward a life of positive transformation out of the darkness of addiction!

Working with Behavioral Health Providers to Address and Prevent Addiction Robert Rogers, LADC, CCS, PS-A, LSW June 5, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION In this session, we will review evidence-based strategies for preventing opioid-related overdose death. We will review the role of safe storage of medication and illicit drugs in reducing deaths as well as proper drug disposal. We will examine how one behavioral health agency located in Central Maine, a rural community, implemented a systemic approach to screening, brief interventions, and Naloxone saturation as part of their CCBHC (Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic). LEARNING OBJECTIVES Identify three evidence-based strategies for preventing opioid overdose. Understand one behavioral health agency's systematic approach to targeted Naloxone distribution. Understand the role of safe storage of medication in reducing overdose-related deaths, diversion of medications, and reducing access to lethal means of medication. PRESENTERS Robert Rogers, LADC, CCS, LSW, PS-A, has worked with youth and families throughout Somerset and Kennebec Counties since 1994. Robert works for Kennebec Behavioral Health as Director of Substance Use Prevention and Grant Services. He worked with Somerset Public Health as the Drug-Free Communities Program Coordinator, completing ten years of coalition work. Robert is a certified Prime for Life instructor and the State of Maine certified Responsible Beverage Seller trainer for the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operations. Robert also coordinates Respect ME, a Certified Domestic Violence Intervention Program for female survivors of domestic violence who used resistive violence with their intimate partners. Robert was appointed to the state Substance Abuse Service Commission, served by appointment on the state's Maine Opiate Collaborative Prevention and Harm Reduction team, served as Chair for the Maine Prevention Specialists Certification Board, and serves as a Maine representative on the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center’s Advisory Board. Additionally, Robert is on the Board of Directors for AdCare of Maine and Sunset Home, a non-profit assisted living facility for older women in Waterville, Maine. Robert is an Adjunct Professor of Substance Use Prevention at the University of Maine at Farmington. Most recently, Governor Mills appointed Robert to the State of Maine Board of Alcohol & Drug Counselors and serves as the board's Chair. In 2021, Robert was awarded the Neill E. Miner Memorial Prevention Award, and in 2014 was awarded Prevention Provider of the Year by the Maine Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse.  

Stigma and Substance Use Prevention Part 2: Strategies and Recommendations for the Field of Prevention Josh Esrick, MPP, and Olivia Stuart, LMSW May 30, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will provide information on available evidence-based and culturally responsive prevention strategies for addressing youth vaping, cannabis, and tobacco use. It will cover both environmental and behavioral interventions, as well as opportunities to implement or expand policies that can address the social determinants of health. This will include reviewing opportunities to expand the role of prevention in legislative and regulatory decision-making related to these substances. Lastly, it will describe how to ensure cultural responsiveness is incorporated into youth substance use prevention efforts and programming. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Recognize the importance of providing evidence-based culturally responsive youth vaping, cannabis, and tobacco use prevention strategies Describe evidence-based behavioral strategies for preventing youth vaping, cannabis, and tobacco use Describe evidence-based environmental strategies for addressing social determinants of health relevant to youth vaping, cannabis, and tobacco use Explain how to ensure cultural responsiveness in youth substance use prevention programs 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, MSW supports the training & technical assistance (T/TA) team in the development and delivery of knowledge translation products across multiple projects. In this capacity, she assists with webinars, literature reviews, and infographics on a range of behavioral health topics. Prior to joining Carnevale Associates, Olivia interned with the Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center where she supported projects to reduce inequities in the criminal justice system. Olivia also served as a Graduate Research Supervisor at George Mason University and worked for several years in LGBTQ+ advocacy and fundraising. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from George Mason University.