Products and Resources Catalog

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 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 Interventions and Response for Youth Experiencing Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) Special consideration must be given to engaging in suicide intervention and response for youth and adolescents. This session will provide participants with an overview of best practices for addressing suicidal behaviors and thoughts for youth and adolescents experiencing Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED). Focus will be placed on understanding the definition of SED, engaging in interdisciplinary care for SED youth, best practices for working with youth experiencing SED and their families, and implications for suicide intervention and prevention with this population. Presented by: JP Legerski, PhD Presentation PDF Webinar Recording  

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.

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. Crisis Response Planning for Suicidal Patients: an Introduction A widely-used strategy for managing acute suicide risk is the contract for safety, also known as the no-suicide contract. Despite its widespread use across mental health and medical settings, accumulating consensus is that this approach may be ineffective. Alternative strategies such as crisis response planning or the related safety planning intervention have therefore been proposed. Written on an index card, the crisis response plan outlines simple steps for a suicidal individual to follow when in a crisis. Results of a recently completed randomized clinical trial show that crisis response planning reduces suicide attempts by 75% as compared to the contract for safety, thereby supporting the method’s efficacy. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of crisis response planning, and to differentiate the method from other, less effective means for managing suicide risk. Presented by: Craig J. Bryan, PsyD, ABPP   Webinar Recording Presentation Slide in .PDF Presentation Transcript

Part 2 of 2: Legal and Ethical Considerations for Telehealth Prevention This presentation reviews the legal and ethical considerations for prevention practice through a virtual setting. Participants learn which requirements must be in place as well as current changes due to COVID-19.  Key Objectives: Participants will be able to describe legal and ethical considerations for virtual prevention practice Participants will be able to identify if a virtual platform is HIPAA and FERPA compliant Participants will learn how to safeguard their clients through responsible technology use   Presented By: Aaron Fischer, PhD, BCBA-D Webinar Recording PDF PowerPoint Slides Link to Part 1 of 2: Understanding How to Leverage Telehealth Technology for Prevention Services We are closely collaborating across the Technology Transfer Center (TTC) Network in response to COVID-19.  There are a number of telehealth related products, webinars, virtual discussion sessions, and web resource pages being developed across the three Technology Transfer Centers (TTCs).  We are all doing our best to ensure we avoid duplication, and we recognize that some overlap in activities and resources related to this topic is understandable.  We realize the need for information and training across the workforce that provides prevention, treatment and recovery support services for substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness is vast. You can access the events calendar and the products calendar through the Technology Transfer Center (TTC) landing page and see a listing of all events and products across the three networks. https://techtransfercenters.org/landing

Toolkit for Parks and Recreation Departments: Preventing Youth Substance Use and Addressing Substance Misuse   Substance use disorders are a community problem that require a community response. While it will take many sectors of the community to solve this problem, Parks and Recreation Departments (referred to as P&R Depts in this document) have a unique role to play in preventing substance use disorders and in addressing substance misuse in New England communities. Many P&R Depts offer before and afterschool childcare, summer, and sports programming for young people, and play a large role in building healthy communities through the oversite of parks and playgrounds and holding public events. This toolkit offers P&R Depts some guidance and resources for implementing research-based strategies to help prevent youth substance use and address substance misuse. 

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.               

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. School-Based Suicide Prevention Interventions for K-12 Population Participants in this webinar will learn the youth suicide prevalence nationally and the implications to schools. They will also be able to familiarize themselves with multi-tiered systems of positive behavior and social emotional learning. In addition, how the multi-tiered systems support the prevention of suicide. Finally, the webinar will discuss ways to build capacity and sustainability of these services in K-12 schools. Presented by: Aaron Fischer, PhD   Webinar Recording Presentation Slides in .PDF Presentation Transcript  

Self-Care in a Selfless Field Webinar We are currently living in unprecedented and difficult times. Prevention specialists, in addition to experiencing the current global pandemic, also listen to painful and distressing experiences which can lead to compassion fatigue and burnout. This presentation will help us to learn more about possible signs of burnout, how to implement self-care practices to your daily life, and receive available resources to combat the effects of work-related stress. Presented by: Anna Purkey, M.Ed. & Jana Sill, M.Ed, Dept. of Educational Psychology, College of Education, University of Utah Presentation PDF Self-Care in a Selfless Field Resources Mountain Plains MHTTC: Covid 19 Mental Health Resources Webinar Recording

  Webinar: Selecting and Implementing Evidence-Based Practices to Address Substance Misuse Among Young Adults: SAMHSA’s Resource Guide Presented by: THE PACIFIC SOUTHWEST PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTERS   DATE: Wednesday, April 15, 2020   DESCRIPTION In this webinar, participants will learn about the findings and resources available in the recently released SAMHSA resource guide Substance Misuse Prevention for Young Adults.  This guide was developed to support health care providers, systems, and communities seeking to prevent substance misuse among young adults. Dr. Kim Dash, who co-authored the guide, will describe relevant research findings; examine emerging and best practices; discuss knowledge gaps and implementation challenges; and offer useful resources.  By the end of the webinar, participants will: 1. Identify the most recent data on young adults and substance misuse. 2. Understand the guidebook content and how it was developed. 3. Identify evidence-based practices that will make a difference for young adults.   PRESENTERS Kim Dash, PhD, MPH, is Senior Research Scientist with the Education Development Center (EDC). Dr. Dash develops, evaluates, and promotes the use of evidence-informed public health interventions. A thought leader in behavioral and social health and published author, she possesses expertise in prevention and implementation sciences and program and policy evaluation. Dr. Dash has led over 15 projects addressing mental health, substance misuse, violence, and trauma. She leads the evaluation of a citywide initiative that fosters community resilience to address stress and trauma and is creating a tool to help colleges reduce drug misuse.   WEBINAR SLIDES Download Slides - Selecting and Implementing Evidence-Based Practices to Address Substance Misuse Among Young Adults: SAMHSA’s Resource Guide   OTHER RESOURCES SAMHSA Resource Guide Young Adults Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Homepage Substance Abuse & Mental Health Data Archive (SAMHDA) Homepage

Part 1 of 2: Understanding How to Leverage Telehealth Technology for Prevention Services This webinar supports prevention providers by highlighting tools and features of service delivery, through videoconferencing platforms. Participants will learn how to use this technology to engage in direct prevention efforts, as well as indirect prevention efforts, by supporting coalitions, caregivers, and school staff. Key Objectives: Participants will understand various features of videoconferencing platforms Participants will be able to describe ways the technology tools can facilitate prevention services Participants will learn how to leverage telehealth to support coalitions, caregivers, and school staff   Presented by: Aaron Fischer, PhD, BCBA-D Webinar Recording PDF PowerPoint Slides Resources: Understanding How to Leverage Telehealth Technology for Prevention Services Link to Part 2 of 2: Legal and Ethical Considerations for Telehealth Prevention We are closely collaborating across the Technology Transfer Center (TTC) Network in response to COVID-19.  There are a number of telehealth related products, webinars, virtual discussion sessions, and web resource pages being developed across the three Technology Transfer Centers (TTCs).  We are all doing our best to ensure we avoid duplication, and we recognize that some overlap in activities and resources related to this topic is understandable.  We realize the need for information and training across the workforce that provides prevention, treatment and recovery support services for substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness is vast. You can access the events calendar and the products calendar through the Technology Transfer Center (TTC) landing page and see a listing of all events and products across the three networks. https://techtransfercenters.org/landing

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. World Class Resources to Discover Genetic Risks for Suicide Death  Suicide leads to over 47,000 preventable deaths annually in the U.S. alone. In addition, suicide has increased by 33% in the U.S. in the last two decades. While environment plays a critical role, suicide has a strong genetic component. With the unique resources available to the Utah Suicide Research Program, we have the opportunity to make significant contributions to the understanding of this genetic aspect of suicide risk, with the ultimate goal of development of personalized interventions. This presentation will give an update on research progress and how results may impact the future of prevention and treatment. Presented by: Hilary Coon, PhD   Webinar Recording Presentation Slides in PDF Presentation Transcript   Suicide Risk Resources for Prevention and Research    

The Great Lakes Wave podcast channel is available on all of the top podcasting platforms, including Anchor, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Breaker. New episodes and podcast series are added regularly!  

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

Date  April 1, 2020    Description  Understanding and evaluating past prevention efforts is integral to ensuring the success of future prevention. This webinar explores how to apply insights from past prevention efforts to current and emerging substance use trends. Co-presenters share real world experiences regarding addressing substance misuse and explore strategies for applying successful prevention practices to other urgent prevention areas within the community.    Key Webinar Features  Participants have an opportunity to pose questions, discuss challenges, and connect with other prevention professionals.    Presenters  Jessica Goldberg MWS, MPH, CPS - Jess is a training and technical assistance specialist with the Education Development Center (EDC).  Ivy Jones Turner MPA, CPS - Ms. Jones Turner is a training and technical assistance specialist with the Education Development Center (EDC).  Katiana Perez – Katiana serves as the Executive Director for the Alliance for a Drug Free Puerto Rico.  Alyssa Evans, LMHC – Alyssa serves as a Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) for Columbia High School/Goff Middle School under Rensselaer County Mental Health.  Kim Favro, MA – Kim is a Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) for Averill Park High School through Rensselaer County Mental Health.     Supplemental Materials: Session slides Session transcript

  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    

Evaluation is one area where it often makes sense to bring in outside expertise. It will save you considerable time and effort, as well as increase your probability of success. In fact, the assistance of an evaluator attuned to and practiced in the art and science of theory-based evaluation is often the key to getting evaluation results that are useful and credible. This toolkit is designed to help you select an evaluator whose skills match your programmatic needs—assuming, of course, that you don’t already have an evaluator on staff.

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.