Products and Resources Catalog

Facilitating virtual meetings is a different than facilitating face-to-face meetings, and a slightly different focus and approach will help make your virtual meetings effective, productive and enjoyable. This resource addresses the use of technology for meetings, suggests a special type of agenda particularly well suited to virtual meetings, and offers a few tips on facilitating virtual meetings.

With the COVID-19 crisis, trainings, workshops and conferences have been cancelled, postponed, and put on hold. Webinars are an efficient use of resources and make education and training widely available without the complications of travel. Even so, not everyone is a huge fan of webinars. High-quality webinars are possible! This resource provides guidance on preparing for, designing, and facilitating webinars effectively.

The COVID-19 crisis forced many individuals to work from home out of necessity. Many practitioners may continue this trend, at least to some degree, when it is again safe to return to the traditional workplace. This resource provides guidance on setting up an efficient work station from home.

Current thoughts about student learning recommend changing up the format of information delivery and/or activity every 3 minutes! Interactive activities engage students in their own learning and shift the responsibility for learning from the teacher to the student. This resource describes various types of interactive learning activities and offer guidance on matching the appropriate structure to learning objectives and tasks.

Giving clear instructions for activities helps participants be successful, creates a safe environment for learning, keeps participants engaged and involved, and increases the likelihood they will be able to use the skills in their own communities. This resource describes five steps to help ensure that participants are able to accomplish the task given them with minimal confusion and requests for clarification.

Date May 18, 2020   Description  Data collection is an integral part of identifying patterns of substance misuse in communities and informing prevention priorities. This webinar explores tools and strategies for collecting community level data and includes information on the benefits of implementing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a tool for visually depicting “hot spots” to inform prevention activities and stakeholder engagement.    Key Topics  Explore tools and strategies for data collection and identification  Using GIS technology for data collection   Presenters Ivy Jones Turner - For over 20 years, Ivy has provided organizational capacity assistance on health promotion and prevention in substance abuse, suicide, violence, injury, and mental health with nonprofit and community-based organizations, state and faith-based agencies, and school districts. Her capacity building skills include program evaluation, training and technical assistance in program design and implementation, organizational development, partnerships/collaborations, and grant management.  Ms. Jones Turner is a Certified Prevention Specialist and holds an MPA from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Cory Morton – Cory is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire. His research investigates the community context of substance use—whether structural features of neighborhoods, such as access to substance use services lessen substance related harms. Cory’s role on the PTTC is to coordinate the special focus on geospatial applications, providing webinars and technical assistance on using mapping to determine community need or to evidence change. Clare Neary – Clare is with the Rutgers University School of Social Work Center for Prevention Science and is the current project coordinator for the Northeast and Caribbean Prevention Technology Transfer Center.  She has worked in the substance misuse prevention field for close to a decade, with a special focus on outcomes-based prevention and environmental strategies. Her work in the field of prevention includes focus on public health models include the Strategic Prevention Framework, coalition building, prevention training and technical assistance, and program evaluation.     Supplemental Materials Session slides Session transcript

Culturally-Informed Motivational Interviewing Skills for Addressing Substance Misuse for African American Males Jessica Young Brown May 27, 2020, 1-2 PM EST   COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will discuss cultural considerations for using motivational interviewing as a clinical tool with African American men who use substances. Special attention will be given to the impact of generational trauma and how they impacts substance use behaviors, engagement in the clinical relationship, and responses to clinical interventions. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Understand how motivational interviewing can be used as a framework for addressing substance use concerns Understand how generational trauma can impact/exacerbate substance use Define how issues of generational trauma/cultural mistrust interrupt stages/processes in this model (ex: impact of nondirective style, the importance of trust in relationships, special considerations for the planning process) Improve skills and strategies for executing culturally competent MI PRESENTER Dr. Jessica Young Brown is a licensed clinical psychologist in Richmond, VA. Her research and clinical work focuses on how African Americans understand their mental health symptoms, especially through the lens of faith beliefs. Dr. Brown specializes in helping clients understand how personal and historical trauma impacts their current functioning.               

Central East Webinar Series: Social Determinants of Health Part 2: A Prevention Approach to Working with the Social Determinants of Health Dawn M. Thomas, PhD, OCPC May 20, 2020, 1-2 PM EST  |  View all Central East series This is part two of a two-part webinar series hosted by the Central East PTTC that focuses on social determinants of health. COURSE DESCRIPTION This is the second of a two-part webinar series developed by the Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) that will increase the capacity of the prevention workforce to create innovative partnerships and collaborations through addressing the social determinants of health for improved population-level health. Participants will understand the significance of creating innovative partnerships to explore strategies for more collaborative approaches to address the social determinants of health within their current prevention efforts. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Review the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and discuss how SDOH impact overall community health, wellness and prevention efforts Understand the rationale and importance of addressing the Social Determinants of Health from a prevention perspective Discuss the need for cross-sector collaboration (public health professionals can’t do it alone) Describe and discuss a broad range of culturally appropriate engagement strategies for new and/or existing partners (utilizing cultural humility) PRESENTER Dawn Thomas, PhD, OCPC is currently a Prevention Systems Manager with the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS). She is highly experienced in event planning, program development, coordination and implementation as well as fostering and promoting close working relationships between state, county and local social service systems/agencies.She has more than 25 years of public service that has focused on prevention, training, mental health and other social services programming for adults as well as students. Dr. Thomas is an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant, with a Ph.D. in Health Education from the University of Cincinnati.Additionally Thomas she has served as a Consultant and presented numerous trainings and workshops at a wide array of venues and conferences that include but are not limited to: SAMHSA, The National Prevention Network Conference, and the Ohio Society for Public health Education.               

Opioid and Alcohol Misuse: The Risk of Suicide Josh Esrick, MPP, and Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip May 14, 2020, 1-2 PM EST COURSE DESCRIPTION Substance use prevention efforts are part of a continuum of behavioral health services. It is important for prevention stakeholders to understand priority issues and activities across other areas of that continuum. Increasing awareness and understanding of how different areas of that continuum intersect and overlap enables stakeholders to identify shared issues and potential opportunities for collaboration. One such area is the issue of suicide prevention. The increasing rates of suicide across most demographics is a major public health concern. Research has shown that substance use, and in particular both opioid and alcohol misuse, can increase suicide risk. This webinar will discuss how, and to what extent, opioids and alcohol are connected to suicide risk. It will also cover identified evidence-based substance use prevention programs that also address risk of suicide, and what potential opportunities for further collaborations may exist. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Examine the scope of suicide risk and the populations most at-risk for suicide Summarize the scope of substance use-involved fatalities and the impact of suicide Discuss the research on the connections between substance use and risk of suicide Overview evidence-based programs for preventing substance use and suicide, as well as other opportunities for collaboration PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is a Senior Policy Analyst with Carnevale Associates. Josh has extensive experience in substance use prevention; researching, writing, and presenting on best practice and knowledge development publications, briefs, and reference guides; and developing and providing T/TA to numerous organizations. He developed numerous SAMHSA Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies’ (CAPT) products on strategies to prevent opioid misuse and overdose, risk and protective factors for substance use, youth substance use prevention strategies, youth substance use trends, emerging substance use trends, the potential regulations surrounding marijuana legalization, as well as numerous other topics. 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.               

Webinar: Exploring HOPE - Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences   DATE: April 29, 2020   DESCRIPTION: The Science of the Positive framework is based upon the realization that ‘The Positive’ exists in ourselves, our communities and our cultures. The new language of HOPE – Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences, utilizes The Cycle of Transformation which includes domains of Spirit – Science – Action -Return. In this webinar, we begin by honoring the Spirit that motivates all of us in all of our work. Through science, we will explore the powerful lifelong effects of positive childhood experiences even in the midst of adversity. We will also explain how the building blocks of HOPE emerged through careful review of evidence. This session will conclude by providing attendees with flexible building blocks to apply HOPE at individual, family, community and societal levels to prevent adversity, support resilience and promote healing and health equity based upon positive childhood experiences (PCEs).   PRESENTERS: Robert Sege, MD, PhD is a pediatrician at the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center and a Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, where he directs the new Center for Community-engaged Medicine. Dr. Sege is a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of Social Policy in Washington, is part of the Leadership Action Team for Massachusetts Essentials for Childhood Team, and serves on the boards of the Massachusetts Children’s Trust and Prevent Child Abuse America. He received the 2019 Ray E. Helfer award from the Alliance of Children’s Trusts and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has served on national committees for the American Academy of Pediatrics and has been lead author on several important AAP policies. His extensive speaking and publication list include contributions to the prevention and treatment of child maltreatment and youth violence. Dina Burstein, MD, MPH, FAAP is the Healthy Outcomes for Positive Experiences (HOPE) Project Director at the Center for Community-Engaged Medicine. Dr. Burstein is an experienced physician, healthcare project designer, and leader with over twenty years of success in scientific research, grant writing, analysis, training, and clinical practice. Previously, Dr. Burstein was an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, directing injury prevention focused community outreach programming and community-based research projects, as well as teaching and mentoring undergraduate, graduate, and medical students. Her aim is to enhance the well-being of individuals and the community by presenting and promoting programs while leveraging proficiency in research, care management, injury prevention and clinical effectiveness. Jeffrey Linkenbach, EdD, MA is the Founding Director & Research Scientist at The Montana Institute, who has developed national award-winning science-based programs to change norms. He is one of the co-developers of HOPE – Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences, and serves as a Co-Investigator at the HOPE Center in the Tufts University Medical School. He is recognized for his pioneering development of the Science of the Positive Framework and the Positive Community Norms Approach which are being utilized by tribal, federal, state and local organizations to achieve positive change and transformation around challenging issues such as child maltreatment, substance abuse, suicide, traffic safety and community-engaged leadership.    WEBINAR SLIDES: Download Slides - Exploring HOPE (PDF)    OTHER RESOURCES: CDC Resource: Promoting Positive Community Norms (PDF) Balancing Adverse Childhood Experiences with HOPE Executive Summary (PDF)   Comparison of mock screenings (videos): Mock screening with HOPE (external link) Mock screening without HOPE (external link) Interview about the two methods (external link)

The Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center and the Mountain Plains Prevention Technology Transfer Center collaborated to host a six-part webinar series, Suicide Prevention Across the Educational Continuum. Throughout the series, participants are provided with information related to suicide prevention and intervention for youth, young adults, and college students. Suicide Prevention and Intervention for Transition Age Youth on College Campuses Higher education settings are increasingly tasked with responding to the mental health needs of students and transition age youth on campuses. This session will focus on increasing faculty and staff understanding of suicidality and best practices for supporting students and transition age youth experiencing thoughts of suicide. Particular attention will be given to identifying warning signs for suicidality, best practices for screening and referring individuals to campus based care, and best practices for suicide interventions for college and transition age youth. Presented by: Andy McLane, MD, MPH & Sarah Nielsen, PhD, OTR/L   Webinar Recording Presentation Slide in .PDF Presentation Transcript   Suicide Prevention and Intervention Resources for Transition Age Youth on College Campuses    

The Pacific Southwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) distributed a survey to determine the information, training and resources needed to address the challenges prevention professionals are encountering during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The survey was open from April 3, 2020 to April 24, 2020, receiving 177 responses.

In response to new challenges experienced by the prevention workforce resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pacific Southwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) facilitated four listening sessions over video conference with 111 prevention practitioners joining. Listening sessions were conducted at various times throughout the day on April 15, 16, 21, and 22. Participants represented Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as well as a few participants from outside of the Pacific Southwest region. The listening sessions opened up a conversation about the specific challenges practitioners are facing with doing their work in prevention; what training and resources the PTTC could provide to address these challenges; and where are they finding new opportunities for their work. During the listening sessions, spontaneous peer-sharing and crowdsourcing of resources naturally occurred. This document briefly summarizes the conversations held across these four sessions and includes various links to resources as they relate to various topics that emerged during these conversations.

The Pacific Southwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) is offering a new product line for prevention practitioners and other key stakeholders called Best Science Slide Decks for Prevention Professionals, or slideDecks4U for short. These slide decks are intended to highlight a topic in 10 slides or less. The purpose of this slide deck is to provide prevention practitioners with researched and vetted tools they can feel confident in using in their prevention presentations. All slide decks include presenter notes and full references.  This slide deck introduces basic definitions of stigma and discusses the role substance misuse prevention practitioners plan in reducing stigma.  USE: These slides can be used as a stand-alone overview of the topic or  incorporated into other presentations or materials. Citing the Pacific Southwest PTTC as the author of these slides is greatly appreciated. Each slide deck includes presenter notes to guide the speaker on presenting the information contained in the slides. The slide deck also include the references to all of the literature used to source the information presented. NOTE: Please do not alter any of the slides. If you need additional information, please contact the Pacific Southwest PTTC, email [email protected]  or call toll-free: 1-833-9SW-PTTC.

As people stay at home and alcohol sales increase, concerns escalate among prevention professionals and public health officials around the emotional and mental risks of substance misuse amid the outbreak. We understand that economic dislocation, job loss and fear of death by disease can be triggers for substance use, which heightens the risk of other issues like suicide and domestic violence.  This webinar will be a starting point for a regional dialogue as we prepare for recovery and the important role that prevention professionals will play in the response. Transcript Presentation Power Point Speakers: Jennifer Myers, MA Training Development Manager Violence and Trauma Team at EDC   Jennifer Myers, M.A. is a mental health professional, consultant, and trainer who has worked to create trauma-sensitive systems throughout her career. She is currently the Training Development Manager for the Violence and Trauma team at Education Development Center (EDC). Jennifer is a thought leader and content expert developing violence prevention, resiliency, and trauma-informed resources and trainings across the prevention spectrum nationally and internationally. She has advised and guided community, school, and health systems in the areas of violence and suicide prevention, mental health promotion, and resilience. She has over 18 years of mental health, crisis response, and substance misuse counseling experience in a variety of settings working with diverse populations including university students, veterans, and LGBTQ individuals. She is a master trainer for Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk and H.O.P.E. Suicide Prevention for Crime Victims. Prior to joining EDC, she was the Assistant Director of Mental Health Initiatives and the Coordinator of Suicide Prevention at the University of South Carolina. At the University, Jennifer led the mental health response to critical incidents including natural disasters and campus violence. Jennifer holds an MA in Counseling and a BS in Psychology from Ball State University. Chuck Klevgaard, BSW Chuck Klevgaard  delivers training and technical assistance to support substance misuse prevention throughout the Midwest. Klevgaard has supported communities and health agencies as they adopt evidence-based alcohol, opioid, and other substance misuse programs or policies. Klevgaard also serves as a prevention manager to the Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center. Klevgaard earned his BSW from Minnesota State University Moorhead. He is a Certified Senior Prevention Specialist through the Illinois Certification Board, Inc.

As sheltering in place becomes the new normal in many areas of the US, millions are experiencing isolation, financial insecurity, and unprecedented levels of stress—at a time when physical distancing separates people from the support systems they need most.   And as we move into the planning for our response, let’s remember that prevention practitioners have a proven track record of success in coordinating local public health responses to health emergencies. National emergency epidemiologic data demonstrate that state and local prevention efforts work: the overall prevalence of drinking among 12- to 20-year olds has declined by 32.9 percent since 2004, due in part to effective prevention initiatives.   

May 1, 2020    Description  Maintaining social interactions and relationships are essential for youth and young adults’ mental health and resiliency during COVID-19 quarantine. This online event provides prevention practitioners with an opportunity to discuss and share strategies for how to effectively promote youth engagement and wellness in a virtual setting. The event concludes with suggestions for how prevention staff can improve self-care and wellness during remote work.    Key Discussion Questions  What strategies are you using to engage youth?  What prevention activities are you using to promote wellness?  How can interventions such as social media campaigns support wellness?  How can prevention staff practice wellness for ourselves?    Presenters  Jessica Goldberg - Jess is a training and technical assistance specialist with nearly a decade of supporting prevention efforts at the national, state, regional and local levels, as well as an accomplished designer and deliverer of in-person and virtual trainings that address topics ranging from collaboration across health sectors to identifying and addressing health disparities. Her past experience includes serving as a community health specialist with the Massachusetts state technical assistance system, supporting communities in needs assessment, strategic planning and creating logic models to guide change efforts, and then with the Center for the Application for Prevention Technologies or CAPT, and now with the PTTC, where she works closely with states and community coalitions to adopt and apply data-driven prevention planning processes and implement evidence-based and promising prevention practices  Ivy Jones Turner - For over 20 years, Ivy has provided organizational capacity assistance on health promotion and prevention in substance abuse, suicide, violence, injury, and mental health with nonprofit and community-based organizations, state and faith-based agencies, and school districts. Her capacity building skills include program evaluation, training and technical assistance in program design and implementation, organizational development, partnerships/collaborations, and grant management. Ms. Jones Turner is a Certified Prevention Specialist and holds an MPA from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.          Supplemental Materials Presentation Slides Summary Notes: Promoting Youth Engagement & Connectedness in a COVID-19 World  Promoting Youth Engagement & Connectedness in a COVID-19 World Selected Resource List Session Transcript */ /*-->*/ /*-->*/ /*-->*/ /*-->*/ /*-->*/ /*-->*/ /*-->*/ /*-->

During these unprecedented times resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, people are feeling overwhelmed with long work hours, caring for family, and frequently changing information. As people try to manage uncertainty about the future, health concerns, financial instability, and access to resources, it becomes imperative to take time for self-care. The Pacific Southwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) has summarized recommendations and compiled a list of resources for self-care from reputable sources for you to practice and take care of YOU!   Recommended Tips to Take Care of Yourself Physical Health Fuel your body by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water. Aim to get regular sleep and rest (at least 7-8 hours) Exercise every day. Taking care of your body helps you feel better mentally, too. While sheltering in that doesn’t mean your exercise routine needs to end, it may just need to be different. Take a family walk after dinner, but follow social distancing guidelines. Do some stretches at your desk while you’re working from home. Aerobic exercise releases endorphins, which are the natural substances that help you maintain a positive attitude. Take deep breaths and stretch often. Avoid risky behaviors, such as misusing alcohol and other substances, and ignoring public health recommendations. Mental Health Create a sense of structure and routine in daily life. Focus on things you can control. Use technology to maintain social connections with your loved ones. Consider a regular check-in schedule to give you something to look forward to. Engage in relaxing activities. Listen to music, read books, or try a new hobby. Consume reliable news sources that report facts, and avoid media that sensationalizes emotions. Lean on your personal beliefs and faith for support.   How can I stay informed without becoming anxious? Take a Break from the News Media. While it is important to stay current about the public health emergency, avoid excessive exposure to media coverage. This includes watching, reading or listening to news stories, even on social media. Limit yourself to a single credible source such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).[1] Access Hotlines and Help.1 If you are feeling anxious, considering self-harm, or concerned about yourself or others  in your household being harmed, several hotlines are available to help: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 / 1-800-846-8517 (TTY) or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273- 8255 / 1-800-799-4889(TTY) National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 / 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) StrongHearts Native Helpline 1-844-762-8483   Resources to Support Self-Care Strategies and Practices   PTTC Network The PTTC Network has gathered resources for prevention in response to the COVID-19 pandemic   SAMHSA SAMHSA COVID-19 resources and information   The World Health Organization Health parenting during COVID-19   CDC Ways to cope with stress and take care of yourself and your community during COVID-19   Prevention Institute Resources for health, safety, and wellbeing during COVID-19   National Association of Social Workers Self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic   National Council of Urban Indian Health COVID-19 Resource Center   Colorlines Self-Love in the Time of COVID-19   ReachOut 10 Ways to take care of yourself during COVID-19   National Institute for Health Care Management Managing loneliness Vulnerable populations and COVID-19 Activities that support elder well-being during isolation or quarantine   Mayo Clinic Kids coping with COVID-19 pandemic Maintaining human connection in time of social distancing   Washington State University Wellbeing Online Stress relief & mindfulness workshops   US Department of Veteran Affairs Resources for managing stress   [1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 2020, Take care of yourself and your community.

Central East Webinar Series: Social Determinants of Health Part 1: Examining the Social Determinants of Health: A Prevention Perspective Dawn M. Thomas, PhD, OCPC April 22, 2020, 1-2 PM EST  |  View all Central East series This is part one of a two-part webinar series hosted by the Central East PTTC that focuses on social determinants of health. COURSE DESCRIPTION Participants will understand the basic tenets of the social determinants of health and its impact on behavioral health, prevention, and wellness efforts. Participants will critically examine the role of neighborhood conditions, education, socio-economic, and socio-political climate. This training will strengthen participants understanding of the social determinants of health and their role in shaping the prevention efforts of diverse populations. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Provide an overview of the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH Define and differentiate health equity terminology Review the five areas of the Social Determinants of Health and how they impact health outcomes Review and summarize the significance of SDOH to increase health and wellness PRESENTER Dawn Thomas, PhD, OCPC is currently a Prevention Systems Manager with the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS). She is highly experienced in event planning, program development, coordination and implementation as well as fostering and promoting close working relationships between state, county and local social service systems/agencies.She has more than 25 years of public service that has focused on prevention, training, mental health and other social services programming for adults as well as students. Dr. Thomas is an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant, with a Ph.D. in Health Education from the University of Cincinnati.Additionally Thomas she has served as a Consultant and presented numerous trainings and workshops at a wide array of venues and conferences that include but are not limited to: SAMHSA, The National Prevention Network Conference, and the Ohio Society for Public health Education.               

This page provides an inventory of naloxone training and related resources in the Great Lakes region. 

The Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center and the Mountain Plains Prevention Technology Transfer Center collaborated to host a six-part webinar series, Suicide Prevention Across the Educational Continuum. Throughout the series, participants are provided with information related to suicide prevention and intervention for youth, young adults, and college students. Suicide Assessment and Response for K-12 Populations Responding to mental health crisis and risk of suicide in a school setting presents unique challenges and considerations for mental health practitioners, educators, and parents. Participants in this session will learn recommended best practices for assessing children and adolescents for suicide and initiating appropriate responses to youth experiencing thoughts of suicide in a K-12 school setting. Special attention is given to common screening and assessment tools used in school settings, best practices for utilizing an interdisciplinary team approach to respond to youth experiencing thoughts of suicide in a school setting, and ways to identify risk and protective factors for youth and adolescents at risk of suicide. Presented by: Erin Briley, MS, NCSP   Webinar Recording Presentation Slides PDF Presentation Q&A Presentation Transcript   Suicide Prevention and Intervention Resources

  WEBINAR - The Positive Exists: Framing Communications Using Hope and Concern  Presented by: THE PACIFIC SOUTHWEST AND NORTHWEST PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTERS   DATE: Wednesday, March 25, 2020   DESCRIPTION This webinar will help prevention practitioners improve communications around substance use prevention in their communities with the Science of the Positive, a framework that promotes protective factors, increases healthy norms, and positively transforms community cultures.  This webinar will provide attendees with a new communication skill that can be used immediately to address the very challenging issues of substance misuse prevention. After completion of the webinar, participants will: understand the Science of the Positive Framework; identify ways to use the Positive Community Norms Approach to correct misperceptions and impact behavior; and identify how to balance both hope and concern in communications.   PRESENTERS Dr. Jeffrey Linkenbach is the Founding Director and Research Scientist at The Montana Institute, who has developed national award-winning science-based programs to change norms.  He is one of the co-developers of Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) and serves as a Co-Investigator at the HOPE Center in the Tufts University Medical School. Jeff is an affiliate faculty member with the University of Montana – Mansfield Center and a Fellow with UM-Mansfield Academy for Global Leadership.  He is recognized for his pioneering development of the Science of the Positive Framework and the Positive Community Norms Approach which are being utilized by tribal, federal, state, and local organizations to achieve positive change and transformation around challenging issues such as child maltreatment, substance abuse, suicide, traffic safety, and community-engaged leadership.  Sara Thompson is a Senior Trainer with The Montana Institute who specializes in training and technical assistance with Positive Community Norms communications. She brings experience as a strategic marketing consultant who also serves large and small companies, non-profit organizations, cooperatives, festivals, and community events. Ms. Thompson was Introduced to Dr. Linkenbach’s work with the Science of the Positive and Positive Community Norms (PCN) frameworks in 2006 and these transformative new approaches challenged her perceptions, reignited her passion for prevention leadership, and renewed her energy for her work. She owns her own marketing firm specializing in working with community coalitions focused on positive prevention messaging and she has been privileged to work at The Montana Institute and collaborate with some of the most experienced prevention specialists, innovative thought leaders, and social science researchers in the country.   WEBINAR SLIDES Download Slides - The Positive Exists   OTHER RESOURCES Applying SOTP to Health & Safety Integrating Hope and Concern into your Communications Introduction to Positive Community Norms    

Providing SUD services during a pandemic requires a mix of disaster preparedness, safety precautions, telehealth, and ethics. During her tenure as a leader in SUD treatment, Sheila Weix has been involved with emergencies related to the HIV epidemic, 9/11, and the 2008 economic collapse. She is currently applying this experience in an outpatient treatment service that includes medication-assisted treatment in rural Wisconsin during the COVID19 pandemic. Webinar participants will learn about: Safety precautions How to move all services to telehealth Reimbursement contingencies Leadership actions underway to address this rapidly changing situation    Transcript

This Slide Deck for You can be used as a stand-alone overview of the Social Development Strategy or incorporated into other presentations or materials. The Social Development Strategy (SDS) is a tool for enhancing five factors proven to build protection and organizes these protective factors into a strategy for action that anyone can use in their daily interactions with young people. The SDS is as simple as five fingers on one hand.