Products and Resources Catalog

Nathan Wray a Prevention Coordinator for the Roane County Anti-drug Coalition in Tennessee. He’s also a highly sought after motivational speaker whose life story is nothing short of inspirational. Nathan speaks from the perspective of lived experience, in hopes of empowering youth, and his story is a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience. Nathan’s message combines his passion for change with a sense of humor that connects with the audience to make a lasting impact. In his spare time, he hangs out with his four kids and his beautiful life. Website: https://www.nathanwrayspeaks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatnathanwray/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nwrayspeaks/

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  

I am not a photographer by education or formal training. I often describe myself as an “accidental photographer” since most of what I know is self-taught - born out of a pure love of the outdoors and the beauty of creation. My journey into photography began near the end of my career as a federal drug prosecutor where I supervised the Organized Crime/Drug Enforcement Task Force – a group of agents, analysts and prosecutors who investigated and prosecuted high-level drug trafficking organizations. During that time, I was an eyewitness to some of the darkest aspects of society. Although my legal career was exciting and challenging, the investigation of these cases put me in direct contact with all forms of greed, addiction, violence, abuse and neglect of children, and the loss of dignity, health, freedom, and even life itself. Without recognizing it, all of those things weighed on my heart, mind and soul in ways that I couldn’t imagine at the time. It took a mid-life crisis to bring me into the world of serious photography when I realized that decades of exposure to the darkest side of humanity had impacted my ability to recognize many of life’s simple pleasures. Up to that point in my life, my wife and I had experienced blessings that are found in a blur of family activities – ballgames, school, church, Scouts, camping, hiking, birthdays, holidays, and occasional vacations. But as our children left home to attend college and raise families of their own, I found myself working longer hours and enjoying life less. After our last child left for college, I reached a turning point with the realization that I needed a hobby, something that would help me focus my attention on more positive thoughts and experiences. My choice at the time was an inexpensive film camera. Although I initially lacked the skills necessary to successfully capture a beautiful image, the simple act of looking through the lens of a camera allowed me to re-discover everything that is wonderful in life – a world full of amazing people, beautiful landscapes, fascinating creatures, and boundless opportunities and adventures. Through the lens of a camera, I rediscovered a sense of joy that I recognized as a gift from childhood when the world was full of wonder and awe. Now, many years later, I am blessed with opportunities to speak and train at local, state, regional and national conferences on a variety of subjects relating to the law, law enforcement, drug education, building strong communities, protecting and nurturing children, and photography. Because of my law enforcement background, many of my presentations require me to describe the grim realities of bad choices that negatively impact children, families and communities, but these opportunities also allow me to provide positive messages and solutions that can overcome feelings of hopelessness, pain, surrender, and despair. This is especially important in working directly with youth (ranging from those who are severely “at risk” to kids who seem blessed with every opportunity in life). At both ends of this spectrum I find that young people are eager to be “seen” AND heard by adults, and when given the right information and encouragement, they become eager to serve AND to lead. Increasingly, my youth workshops include teaching about photography and the great outdoors. My best days involve a photography/nature workshop followed by an outdoor excursion with a busload of kids. The combination of my professional background and love of photography allows me to share real life experiences that provide a stark contrast between choices that bring misery and pain with choices that can lead to a fulfilling and joyful life. By sharing these images, my purpose is to encourage others to make good choices and live happy and healthy lives. By tapping into the sense of wonder we all experienced as little children, we can all rediscover a world that is infinitely more satisfying than anything offered by a popular culture that often leads people in the wrong direction. One of my favorite photographers, Galen Rowell once said: “You only get one sunrise and one sunset a day, and you only get so many days on the planet. A good photographer does the math and doesn't waste either.” I hope that you enjoy each sunrise and sunset as you journey through a wonderful life. Website:  https://www.montestiles.com/Keynote-Presentations LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/montestiles/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montestiles/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monte.stiles  

  Dive into the world of generative artificial intelligence (AI) with an engaging 90-minute webinar that demystifies Large Language Models (LLMs) and their practical applications. This webinar will offer a blend of theory and hands-on activities, including article summarization and brainstorming AI-driven intervention strategies for substance misuse prevention scenarios. It promises to enhance your understanding of AI's potential in substance misuse prevention work, while also highlighting the critical issues of misinformation and bias inherent in these technologies.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Experiment with generative AI to discover ideas for daily substance misuse prevention work Explain the basic operation of multiple, publicly accessible generative AI tools Describe types of bias, inequity, and misinformation that can arise through use of LLMs   ACCESS OR DOWNLOAD SUPPORTING MATERIALS Presentation Recording, April 18, 2024 Presentation Slides, April 18, 2024 Activity Handouts: Engaging youth as leaders and partners can improve substance use prevention: a call to action to support youth engagement practice and research A National Strategy for Prevention Substance and Opioid Use Disorders Through Evidence-Based Prevention Programming that Fosters Healthy Outcomes in Our Youth The Role of Law Enforcement Officers/Police in Drug Prevention within Educational Settings - Study Protocol for the Development of a Guiding Document Based on Experts' Opinions   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.

Building Bridges: Fostering Community-Campus Collaboration for Substance Use Prevention, Harm Reduction, & Recovery   Join the Southeast PTTC for a lively discussion on the power of collaboration between college campuses and their surrounding communities to support substance misuse prevention, harm reduction and recovery. Our panel of regional experts shared insights, best practices, and success stories, empowering participants with the knowledge needed to implement successful initiatives.   Supplemental Resources: Presentation Slides   Learning Objectives: Understand the significance of collaborative approaches between college campuses and surrounding communities to support prevention, harm reduction, and recovery among youth and young adults. Identify key strategies for building collaborative college campus and community partnerships to address substance use among youth and young adults. Learn about prevention, harm reduction, and recovery initiatives being implemented on college campuses from regional experts. Identify strategies and tools available to implement effective substance misuse prevention, harm reduction, and recovery initiatives within college campuses and surrounding communities.   Presented by: Dr. Lori Ann Eldridge is an assistant professor at East Carolina University, North Carolina. She is a public health implementation scientist specializing in substance use. Her research is dedicated to examining the accessibility of prevention, treatment, and harm reduction services for substance use in rural and underserved communities. Currently, she is the Principal Investigator of Pitt County Coalition on Substance Use Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Opioid and Stimulant Grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With this work she is bridging partnerships between the local community and East Carolina University campus to prevent youth and young adult substance use and related harms. She has worked with students to expand access to naloxone and other harm reduction strategies at East Carolina University and is a co-faculty mentor for the Team Awareness Combatting Overdose at East Carolina University. Kayce Matthews is the Director of the Coalition for Healthy and Safe Campus Communities (CHASCo) in Tennessee. In this role she oversees the collection of higher education institutions and professionals in Tennessee who are working to address issues of campus health and safety. The work of CHASCO includes providing professional development & networking opportunities, providing assessment tools to campuses, and providing resources and funding for evidence-based prevention programing. Kayce joined CHASCo with over 10 years of experience in prevention and advocacy work. Before joining CHASCo, Kayce worked for the TN Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. In this role, she founded both the TN Campus Prevention Project and the TN Statewide Sexual Assault Prevention Committee. Previous to the TN Coalition, she served as the Associate Director of the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center at Vanderbilt University. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Trevecca University, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Stephens College, and is a Certified Prevention Specialist. Annette Newton-Baldwin is the Assistant Director of the LION UP Recovery Program (Collegiate Recovery Program) and Intervention. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She serves the Association of Recovery in Higher Education as the Southeast Region Representative. Currently serves as Project Director for the Louisiana Collegiate Recovery Expansion Grant. Reese Hiatt is an undergraduate student at East Carolina University, North Carolina. She is a marketing major and Co-President of Team Awareness Combatting Overdose. She is dedicated to advocating for those experiencing substance use disorder and making a positive difference in the amount of harm reduction resources available to those in need.  

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features a PTTC network event "Climate Change from a Prevention Perspective", Exploring Root Causes of Substance Misuse through Stories, Alcohol Awareness Month and awareness campaigns for April, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

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. Web site: https://pttcnetwork.org/centers/content/great-lakes-pttc Website: https://pttcnetwork.org/centers/great-lakes-pttc/product/risk-factors-youth-substance-misuse-0 Website: https://pttcnetwork.org/centers/great-lakes-pttc/product/building-protective-factors-using-social-development-strategy-0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GLPTTC/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/glpttc/ 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. Many factors influence a person’s chance of developing a mental and/or substance use disorder. Effective prevention focuses on reducing those risk factors, and strengthening protective factors, that are most closely related to the problem being addressed. https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/20190718-samhsa-risk-protective-factors.pdf The Social Development Research Group is a recognized leader in the field of prevention. Their work is guided by the belief that many common behavior, health, and social problems can be prevented. They have studied the causes of these problems in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and their research has enriched lives, influenced policy, and strengthened communities across the United States and around the world. https://depts.washington.edu/sdrg/

Webinar Recording and Follow-Up Materials This presentation focuses on the intersection of adolescent substance use and gun violence in metropolitan, suburban, and rural communities. Along with substance use, 15 additional risk factors for gun violence will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed upon protective factors which help buffer the impact of risk factors. We will also discuss prevention and intervention strategies.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to: Articulate the relationship between substance use and gun violence. Recognize 15 risk factors for adolescent gun violence. Describe how protective factors can help reduce the risk of substance influenced gun violence. Name prevention and intervention strategies that address adolescent gun violence.   ACCESS OR DOWNLOAD SUPPORTING MATERIALS Presentation Recording, March 12, 2024 Presentation Slides, March 12, 2024    PRESENTER:  Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC, is Illinois state project manager for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. He is an international speaker in the behavioral health field whose presentations have reached thousands throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, the Caribbean and British Virgin Islands. A partial list of clients include General Motors Corporation, Xerox Corporation, Northwestern University, and the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. The author of five books, Mark has had two stories published in The New Times bestselling book series, Chicken Soup for The Soul. He has taught at the University of Chicago, Loyola University of Chicago, and Illinois State University's schools of social work. Mark’s three decades of experience as a direct service Licensed Clinical Social Worker provide the foundation for his presentations.   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.

In recognition of SAMHSA's 20th Annual National Prevention Day, the PTTC Network and National Prevention Week have developed this webinar, Finding Power in Prevention Storytelling. This webinar showcases real-world, innovative initiatives in communities across the United States and highlights what motivates “preventioneers” to do such amazing work.

The Seven Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being: A Framework for Community Action in Skagit County February 7, 2024   Webinar Description What does it take for communities to thrive? This webinar will provide an overview of the seven vital conditions for well-being and illustrate how it can be a useful framework for conceptualizing holistic individual and community well-being. The presenters will demonstrate how the framework can help address issues related to a community response to mental health and well-being, substance use disorder, and substance misuse prevention in Skagit County, WA, with North Star Project. The framework is used by multiple state and federal agencies, including The Federal Plan for Equitable Long-Term Recovery and Resilience as a guiding framework to organize and take action on social determinants of health. The framework can support efforts to achieve the transformative change needed to build a strengths-based and community-driven response to creating conditions that promote well-being. This webinar is jointly brought to you by the Northwest PTTC, ATTC, and MHTTC.   Webinar Objectives In this webinar, participants will: Identify the seven vital conditions (thriving natural world, basic needs for health and safety, humane housing, meaningful work and wealth, lifelong learning, reliable transportation, and belonging and civic muscle).  Develop a basic understanding of each of the seven vital conditions. Learn about how a community is organizing their response to the mental health and opioid crisis using the vital conditions as a framework for promoting community well-being.   Webinar Recording and Slides The Seven Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being: A Framework for Community Action in Skagit County Recording & Additional Resources The Seven Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being: A Framework for Community Action in Skagit County slide deck (PDF)   Additional Resources The Institute for People Place and Possibility (IP3) Social Vulnerability Index Social Vulnerability Index Interactive Map The Water of System Change-John Kania, Mark Kramer, Peter Senge Area Deprivation Index Index of Deep Disadvantage   Presenters Chris Kelleher Chris Kelleher is a Portland, Oregon, consultant who works at the intersection of strategy, management, and language. He has held positions with Kaiser Permanente, Oregon Health and Science University, and the University of North Carolina. His client engagements focus on achieving meaningful progress by increasing coherence in thought and action. A frequent collaborator with ReThink Health, he is dedicated to developing cases and practices that drive equitable system change.   Jennifer Johnson Jennifer Johnson serves as Deputy County Administrator for Skagit County.  Ms. Johnson has worked for Skagit County since 2003 and her background spans the fields of public health, nutrition, and organizational management.  Ms. Johnson has over 28 years leadership experience, with specific interest and experience in advancing organizational and community systems to advance the development of public policy that addresses community-level health and social problems.   As the prior Public Health Director for Skagit County, Ms. Johnson was committed to creating a culture of health and wellness for all of Skagit County, with an expanded focus on social determinants of health, strengthening public-private partnerships, increasing connection between public health and clinical health, and implementing an outcomes driven approach to program and policy development.  She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Management from Oregon State University in 1996, and then completed the Mid-Willamette Dietetics Residency Program, becoming a registered Dietitian in 1998.   Questions Contact Kathy Gardner ([email protected]) if you have additional questions about the content related to this webinar.  

Kurt Larson has been representing personal injury clients as a Missouri lawyer for more than 20 years. He graduated in the top of his class from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1992, and thereafter spent the summer working with trial attorneys at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D. C. Prior to law school, Kurt graduated from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, receiving a BA in English, with distinction. One of Kurts greatest projects is founding Safe and Sober Prom Night in 2004 in Springfield, Missouri. The program has evolved from an impaired-driving focus to preventing substance misuse in all its forms. The program today is simply known as Safe and Sober and has reached over 1 million students in 41 states, and schools as far away as Kiev, Ukraine and Queensland, Australia have downloaded their content. Safe and Sober provides an innovative way to combat substance misuse through a free program which features prevention-focused videos and curriculum that are used by schools, homeschool groups, and community organizations. Safe and Sober uses engaging and educational content, to encourage dialogue and preventative action between youth, educators, and parents. To Learn more visit www.safeandsober.org https://www.facebook.com/SafeandSoberOrg https://www.instagram.com/safeandsoberorg/ 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. Know the facts, about 1 in 4 teen car crashes involves an underage drinking driver. Talk with teens about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Impaired driving is entirely preventable. A link to a SAMHSA resource that gives tips for talking to kids about drunk and drug-impaired driving is available here - https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources/impaired-driving

Learning Session Recording and  Follow-Up Materials  December 12, 2023   Learning Session Description Health and health equity are determined by the conditions in which the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population have been exposed to and continue to thrive in. This Learning Session will explore the common determinants of health that contribute to substance use among AI/AN populations. Further exploration of how common traditional AI/AN healing practices and approaches are integrated with substance use prevention programming will be discussed.     Learning Session Objectives By the end of this learning session, participants will be able to: Explain how Social Determinants of Health have contributed to substance use in AI/AN populations. Discuss the “Culture is Prevention” approach in the work of substance use prevention work. Identify common AI/AN cultural approaches and practices used in AI/AN healthcare systems addressing Substance Use and Abuse. Employ strategies to meaningfully and respectfully collaborate with tribal entities.   Learning Session Recording and Slides Prioritizing Equity in Prevention Recording Prioritizing Equity in Prevention Slide Deck (PDF)   Presenter Evelina Maho, MAdm.,  is a member of the Navajo tribe and resides in Northern Arizona. Holds a Master’s Degree in Administration with an emphasis in Health Sciences, Undergraduate Degree in Clinical Dietetics and Chemistry from Northern Arizona University; carries executive leadership and directorship experience in the healthcare arena. Evelina currently works with the National Council for Urban Indian Health (NCUIH). At NCUIH, supports over 41 Urban Indian Health Organizations in the US. Evelina’s experience involves working with AI/AN Health Systems through quality and systems change approach. Her career started and also continues to support Public Health in AI/AN healthcare systems. Part-owner and founder of YM Associates, LLC a newly established consulting business involved with public health projects. In addition, enjoys teaching as an Adjunct Faculty member at Falmouth Institute in her spare time.   Questions Contact Britany Wiele ([email protected]) if you have additional questions about the content related to this learning session.

Syndemic Solutions Josh Esrick, MPP, Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip, and Olivia Stuart, LMSW January 18, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION The term “syndemics” describes the relationship between two or more epidemics which often cluster together (e.g., substance misuse and HIV) and have shared social and environmental drivers. When these epidemics interact, they mutually exacerbate the negative effects of each condition, thereby worsening health outcomes. The syndemics framework recognizes the importance of addressing these interactions and seeks to implement a whole-person, integrated model of prevention and care in collaboration with other health care providers. These services focus on equity by putting people first and providing the services that people express interest in receiving. It also seeks to address shared population-level risk and protective factors that influence the co-occurring epidemics that can lead to health inequities. While the concepts of co-occurring epidemics and social determinants driving health outcomes are not new to the field of prevention, syndemics is an emerging framework that many prevention practitioners may be unfamiliar with. This 90-minute webinar will provide participants with an overview of the syndemics framework and its growing use in the field of prevention. It will explain the relationship between the syndemics framework and a public health approach to prevention, the importance of leveraging policy as a public health tool to address syndemic risk factors, and how to build collaborative partnerships between prevention professionals and other health-focused entities to better address syndemics. It will also review the importance of the social determinants of health to syndemics and recommend strategies to support the prevention workforce in improving health outcomes. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Define the concept of the syndemics framework and provide examples of different syndemics Explain how the syndemics framework is interrelated with a public health approach to prevention and the social determinants of health Describe how partnerships and collaboration can help prevention professionals adopt the syndemics framework Identify opportunities for prevention professionals to address syndemics 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.   Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip holds a Masters of Science in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a Postgraduate Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh. She offers significant professional experience in the fields of public policy development and analysis, criminal justice research, data collection and analysis, program development, and performance management.     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.  

        Prevention in Pictures: Using Prevention Graphic Novels to Facilitate Conversations with Youth Sarah Johnson, MA, PS-C, and Scott Gagnon, MPP, PS-C January 10, 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION Join us to learn about a unique prevention tool: Graphic Medicine. Graphic Medicine are evidence-based ways of accessibly communicating health information. In the Air is a graphic medicine built to foster conversations with and among young people around vaping, choices about substance use, and social factors. This graphic novel-styled story of five teens going through high school incorporates the behavioral science of substance misuse prevention with the stories, interests, and ideas of members of the Tobacco Free Rhode Island Youth Ambassadors. The novel has questions to help guide the discussion, a strong research base, and roots in risk and protective factors. During this session, participants will become familiar with the resource, how to use it to facilitate conversations with young people, and how to use the accompanying facilitator guide. Participants will learn how to request copies and learn about an upcoming resource in the same style that addresses youth problem gambling. The audience will have an opportunity to ask questions and explore how this and future products can work to support their prevention work. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Learn what a graphic medicine is and how you can use this format in prevention efforts with young people. Understand the process of creating a graphic medicine through a prevention lens with cultural responsiveness and youth voice as driving factors. Learn about an upcoming resource being designed with this format specifically to foster conversations around youth gambling prevention. Practice facilitating conversations with the tool. PRESENTERS Scott Gagnon, MPP, PS-C New England PTTC Director - Associate Executive Director, AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc.     Sarah Johnson, MA, PS-C Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator, AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc.        

In this Issue:   Advocacy is Not a Spectator Sport Additional Resources: Preparing to Meet Your Legislator Epi Corner: Xylazine: An Emerging Threat What's Happening Around the Region Job Announcements What's New at SAMHSA Wrapping up 2023

Anna Simonson is the proud wife of Kirk and mom to Liam, 13 and Luna, 9 months. As the Project Director of our Region’s state-level Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success Grant, she works in 10 counties across Southwest and South-Central Missouri to prevent youth substance use through empowerment and protective factors. Anna has been a Missouri Prevention Specialist since 2019, when she began working at Community Partnership of the Ozarks as a prevention specialist. In February 2022, Anna was given the opportunity to oversee the R-PFS grant and has since found her stride as a prevention professional. Anna thrives when she is able to help community-led coalitions leverage resources for effective, equitable, and sustainable community betterment. Contact Anna: [email protected] 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. Talk, They Hear You is a   national youth substance use prevention campaign that help parents and caregivers, educators, and community members get informed, be prepared, and take action to prevent underage drinking and other substance use. To learn more, visit https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you Search Institute has identified 40 positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. Half of the assets focus on the relationships and opportunities they need in their families, schools, and communities. The remaining assets focus on the social-emotional strengths, values, and commitments that are nurtured within young people. To learn more, visit searchinstitute.org We’d like to hear from you, please send your comment, topic or guest suggestion to [email protected]

In this Issue:   The Power of Community Advocacy Additional Policy and Advocacy Resources Epi Corner: Using "Big Data" and other Digital Methodologies to Monitor Substance use Disorders (SUDs) What's Happening Around the Region

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).

Chicago Strategic Action Plan National Prevention Network Conference 2023 Poster Session, August 15, 2023   Tyiesha Trina, Great Lakes PTTC Building Our Leadership and Diversity (BOLD) Prevention Fellow, worked closely with Chief of Staff, Rafael Rivera, Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention on the Chicago Strategic Action Plan. This citywide initiative is focused on: Establishing a strategic action council comprised of prevention leaders, diverse youth, and stakeholders who share common objectives that promote the well-being for Chicago’s youth. Creating a portfolio of culturally responsive and trauma-informed strategies that demonstrate diversity, equity, inclusion, leveraged resources, braided funding, and other partnerships to maximize systemic impact. Developing guidance for local or affinity groups to create and implement collective impact strategic plan. Download the poster for more information.     Fellowship Description The Building Our Leadership and Diversity (BOLD) Prevention Fellowship Program (PFP) is focused on increasing the number of prevention scientists working within Black/African American communities and building their capacity to identify and chronicle programs, practices, and policies proven effective in reducing substance misuse risk factors and consequences and promoting mental health and protective factors or assets in Black/African American communities. The 2023 BOLD Fellows received mentorship from prevention staff in the state, territory, jurisdiction, national organization, and/or federally-recognized tribe or other American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN/) community associated with their placement and were exposed to the day-to-day workings of the site. This was a paid fellowship. Fellows worked on projects as assigned by their placement approximately half of the time and dedicated the other half of their time to learning and capacity development activities coordinated by the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) network.   Tyiesha Trina, Great Lakes PTTC Building Our Leadership and Diversity (BOLD) Prevention Fellow  

  Webinar Description The Social Norms Approach is a prevention strategy that corrects misperceptions of risky behaviors and focuses on the healthy behaviors that already exist in groups. Research shows that most people overestimate risky or unhealthy habits and under-perceive normative healthy behaviors, and that decreasing the over-perception of unhealthy or risky behaviors improves health outcomes.   This session explored the fundamental principles and key concepts behind the social norms approach as well as a process that attendees could use in their own communities to uncover and promote the positive norms that already exist.   Learning objectives for Session 1 included: -Describe the Social Norms Approach -List elements of an effective social norms process -Identify the data needed to build a social norms campaign   Presenter   Lauri Solomon is a training and technical assistance specialist with the Education Development Center.  She has more than 25 years' experience in public health working on a variety of initiatives including the prevention of substance misuse, sexually transmitted infections, and teen pregnancy. Lauri has been providing technical assistance and training on the application of the social norms approach since 1999. She also holds a doctorate in social justice education and works to bring an equity lens to all aspects of her work.   Additional Resources  Flyer  PowerPoint

  Webinar Description The Social Norms Approach is a prevention strategy that corrects misperceptions of risky behaviors and focuses on the healthy behaviors that already exist in groups. Research shows that most people overestimate risky or unhealthy habits and under-perceive normative healthy behaviors, and that decreasing the over-perception of unhealthy or risky behaviors improves health outcomes.   This session explored the fundamental principles and key concepts behind the social norms approach as well as a process that attendees could use in their own communities to uncover and promote the positive norms that already exist.   Learning objectives for Session 2 included: -Describe what are more and less effective approaches to health communication and social marketing -Identify the data needed to build a social norms campaign -List elements of a social norms marketing print ad   Presenter   Lauri Solomon is a training and technical assistance specialist with the Education Development Center.  She has more than 25 years' experience in public health working on a variety of initiatives including the prevention of substance misuse, sexually transmitted infections, and teen pregnancy. Lauri has been providing technical assistance and training on the application of the social norms approach since 1999. She also holds a doctorate in social justice education and works to bring an equity lens to all aspects of her work.   Additional Resources  Flyer  PowerPoint

Christa Shifflett from Warren County, Virginia where she serves as Executive Director of the Warren Coalition. Over the past four years she and her staff have been developing a layered, intricate approach to developing community resilience.  The foundation of this work is  the ACE’s - Adverse Childhood Experiences.  I met up with Christa at the 2023 CADCA Mid-Year, following her presentation Connection and Resilience vs. Aces and Isolation – The Battle for Healthy Communities. Learn more about the Warren Coalition: www.warrencoalition.org 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. SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI) improves treatment and services for children, adolescents, and families who have experienced traumatic events. You’ll find a link for this resource in the show notes or visit https://www.samhsa.gov/child-trauma  Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a tremendous impact on future violence, victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity. The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a website dedicated to helping you better understand. You’ll find a link for this resource in the show notes or visit www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces

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.  Laura Sacks Morris received he B.A. in Communications with high honors from the University of Maine at Orono. In 2000, she founded the Second Chance Foundation with the mission of helping youth make healthy decisions through ongoing preventive, interactive theatrical school programs on bullying, addictions, suicide, tobacco prevention and other topics.  For over 10 years, she worked as a facilitator and theatrical director with the Council for Drug Free Youth as well as one year as the Project Coordinator for the Drug Free Community grant in mid-Missouri. After re-locating back to Maine 7 years ago, she continues her work in prevention as the Project Director for Be the Influence, a Drug Free Community grant, including building a coalition of community members who have collectively worked to reduce youth substance use in the Windham/Raymond area. She is certified as a national leadership/prevention trainer including TIPS, DEEP and a range of other subjects as well as a motivational speaker and CADCA prevention graduate. Email: [email protected] Web:  www.betheinfluencewrw.org SAMHSA offers free, downloadable publications and tip sheets, as well as mobile apps for youth, teens, and young adults on topics such as substance misuse, common mental health conditions, and coping with disasters and other traumatic events.  https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week/voices-of-youth/substance-use-prevention-resources-youth-college-students  Art is not only a protective factor, but it’s a great community builder and gateway to collaboration. Interested in learning more about the use of art in prevention? You can follow “be the influence” on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube or visit their website at betheinfluencewrw.org. Learn more today!

Trauma Informed Facilitation Skills for Substance Misuse Prevention Practitioners May 4-June 22, 2023   Series Overview The Northwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center and Trauma Informed Oregon (TIO) are pleased to offer this four-session synchronistic distance learning course for advanced substance misuse prevention practitioners working in Oregon. Substance misuse prevention program planners and coalition coordinators are responsible for creating safe, inclusive practices that engage all community members with a vision for a healthier community. Establishing trauma-informed (TI) meeting agendas and facilitation skills enables conveners of the meeting to promote wellness, positive connections, and healing while "getting the work done."   Objectives During this Series, participants will take part in interactive discussions, the practice of TI facilitation skills, and integrate workforce wellness, foundational principles of TI care, and aspects of cultural humility. Participants will recognize the signs and symptoms of toxic stress for themselves and community members who have experienced both acute and historical forms of trauma. Sessions will Include the following: Trauma-Informed (TI) facilitation skills: TI scripts for substance misuse prevention and reduction of harm, relational repair, feedback, and active listening. Interactive discussion: Participants will explore how to prevent toxic stress, vicarious trauma, and burnout for facilitators who have witnessed, and work with others who have experienced acute, racialized, and historical trauma. Focused discussion and practice: Participants will identify and practice approaches that support cultural humility, and well-regulated, confident, TI community-based substance misuse prevention facilitation.   Resources Trauma Informed Oregon: https://traumainformedoregon.org/ SAMHSA Trauma Informed: https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/ebp/practical-guide-implementing-trauma-informed-approach YouTube-Voices from the Community Shilo George Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHpASOt2N8I YouTube-Cultural Humility Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=_Mbu8bvKb_U&list=PL879555ABCCED8B50 The National Center for Trauma-Informed Care and Alternatives to Seclusion and Restraint (NCTIC): https://www.samhsa.gov/nctic The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN): https://www.nctsn.org/ The Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC): https://www.cnvc.org/   Trainer Steffannie Roaché, MS LPC, is an Asst. Professor of Practice at Trauma Informed Oregon and Portland State University with a focus on workforce wellness, equity and inclusion through representation and power-sharing within systems, and the promotion of resources that support healing for communities affected by racialized and historical forms of trauma. She has over 20 years of experience providing trainings focused on resilience, trauma informed care, and culturally centered practices, and nearly 10 years of counseling within group and private practices. Steffannie has contracted with large and small organizations for workforce wellness, TIC, and DEI offerings and has successfully operated a private counseling and consulting practice. Her life’s passion is to work hand-in-hand with community partners to uplift hope, healing, and social justice within systems. Steffannie enjoys reading and writing poetry; listening to jazz, fusion, and alternative forms of music; traveling nationally and abroad; and spending time with family and friends outside of work and career activities.   Questions Contact Kathy Gardner ([email protected]) if you have additional questions about the content related to this webinar.