Products and Resources Catalog

Lunch and Learn Series: Mastering Qualitative Research Skills Session 4: Environmental Scans and Asset Mapping Josh Esrick, MPP March 14, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm EST The Central East & Southeast PTTCs are pleased to present this week-long Lunch & Learn Series in collaboration with the Southeast Regional SPTAC Team. OVERALL SERIES DESCRIPTION Embark on a transformative journey to master the art of qualitative research in our Lunch and Learn Series. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your research journey, these five one-hour sessions are designed to enhance your skills in facilitating focus groups, conducting one-on-one interviews, formulating insightful questions, navigating environmental scans and asset mapping, and finally, mastering the art of data storytelling. Join us as we explore the depths of qualitative research, equipping you with the tools and techniques to unlock valuable insights and tell compelling stories with your data. Session Description: Uncover the secrets of successful focus group facilitation in this session. From creating a welcoming atmosphere to managing group dynamics, learn the essentials of guiding discussions that yield valuable qualitative data. SERIES LEARNING OBJECTIVES Develop proficiency in facilitating focus groups and creating an inclusive environment for diverse perspectives. Hone the art of conducting meaningful one-on-one interviews to elicit rich, detailed insights from participants. Acquire the skills to formulate thought-provoking questions that unveil deeper layers of understanding. Explore the methods of environmental scans and asset mapping to identify key factors influencing your research landscape. Master the craft of data storytelling, transforming raw data into compelling narratives that resonate with your audience. SESSION 4 COURSE DESCRIPTION Navigate the landscape of environmental scans and asset mapping as a tool for getting to know your community, while also discovering assets that can be leveraged during the implementation and sustainability phases of your prevention efforts. 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.    

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.

Lunch and Learn Series: Mastering Qualitative Research Skills Session 1: Facilitating Focus Groups Sandra Del Sesto, M.Ed, ACPS March 11, 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm EST The Central East & Southeast PTTCs are pleased to present this week-long Lunch & Learn Series in collaboration with the Southeast Regional SPTAC Team. OVERALL SERIES DESCRIPTION Embark on a transformative journey to master the art of qualitative research in our Lunch and Learn Series. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your research journey, these five one-hour sessions are designed to enhance your skills in facilitating focus groups, conducting one-on-one interviews, formulating insightful questions, navigating environmental scans and asset mapping, and finally, mastering the art of data storytelling. Join us as we explore the depths of qualitative research, equipping you with the tools and techniques to unlock valuable insights and tell compelling stories with your data. Session Description: Uncover the secrets of successful focus group facilitation in this session. From creating a welcoming atmosphere to managing group dynamics, learn the essentials of guiding discussions that yield valuable qualitative data. SERIES LEARNING OBJECTIVES Develop proficiency in facilitating focus groups and creating an inclusive environment for diverse perspectives. Hone the art of conducting meaningful one-on-one interviews to elicit rich, detailed insights from participants. Acquire the skills to formulate thought-provoking questions that unveil deeper layers of understanding. Explore the methods of environmental scans and asset mapping to identify key factors influencing your research landscape. Master the craft of data storytelling, transforming raw data into compelling narratives that resonate with your audience. SESSION 1 COURSE DESCRIPTION Uncover the secrets of successful focus group facilitation in this session. From creating a welcoming atmosphere to managing group dynamics, learn the essentials of guiding discussions that yield valuable qualitative data. PRESENTERS Sandra Del Sesto, M.Ed, ACPS has worked over 35 years in prevention, though her work spans the continuum of care from prevention to treatment to recovery. In Rhode Island, Sandra was the founder and past executive director of Initiatives for Human Development, the only statewide prevention agency. She is a faculty member and on the board of directors for the New England School of Addiction Studies. She has worked extensively at both the community and state levels developing strategic prevention and behavioral health care plans. Sandra is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) and is the Prevention Committee's co-chair.  

Youth Gaming and Gambling, Is It a Problem? Heather Eshleman, MPH, and Kenneth Crawford, CPRS March 5, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION With the expansion of gaming and gambling activities in communities and on-line, how will it impact youth and young adults? This population is affected by gaming, gambling, and activities that include a mix of both in their daily lives. Discuss youth gaming, gambling, and the warning signs of problems with these activities. An overview of strategies to prevent youth problem gaming and gambling behaviors that have been adapted from alcohol and substance misuse prevention will be presented. Hear a story of recovery and learn of resources for help. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Increase your knowledge of youth gaming and signs of gaming problems in youth. Discuss youth gambling and signs of gambling problems in youth. Examine how youth gaming and gambling behaviors connect. Review prevention strategies that have worked to prevent alcohol and substance misuse that could work to prevent youth problem gaming and gambling behaviors. Learn about gambling recovery and resources for help. PRESENTERS Heather Eshleman, MPH, is the Prevention Manager at the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling. She works collaboratively with community organizations, schools, and government agencies to prevent underage and problem gambling as well as oversee special population and youth grants. She currently leads the Center’s efforts in compiling an underage and problem gambling prevention needs assessment to provide baseline data to guide future prevention strategies. She served as the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Supervisor at the Anne Arundel County Department of Health from 2006-2019, overseeing the Substance Abuse Prevention coalitions, the Opioid Misuse Prevention Program, the Strengthening Families Program, the Fatal Overdose Review Team, and Coordination of the Students Against Destructive Decisions Chapters. Before becoming Supervisor, from 2002-2006, Heather was a Grants Administrator at Anne Arundel County Department of Health. Heather received her Masters in Public Health from the University at Albany School of Public Health and her Bachelor’s degree in School and Community Health Education from Towson University. Heather served in the United States Peace Corps in Morocco, North Africa, as a Maternal and Child Health volunteer, working on hygiene promotion and pre-natal care for two years.   Kenneth (Kenny) Crawford is a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist with the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling (the Center). As a Peer for the Center, Kenny assists individuals within Maryland struggling with problem gambling and gambling addiction to navigate recovery treatment resources and helps remove any barriers to recovery. He has dedicated his life to helping others with gambling problems by sharing his story of recovery. Kenny has a great passion for the outdoor life, boating, fishing, hiking, and can capture the tranquility of nature thru his photography. For him, this is a great form of meditation and has helped him thru his recovery process and he would be happy to share his techniques on meditation. Kenny comes from a background in Carpentry and is grateful to help others achieve a balanced life through his extensive training in Peer Recovery Support training.    

The Fundamentals of Understanding and Using Data in Prevention Part 3: DIY Data for Prevention Professionals Jamie Comstock, MURP, PS-C, and Robin Carr, PS-C February 29, 2024, 11:00am-12:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION Looking for tips and tricks on how to present your data in a way that catches people’s attention and is easily understood? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the Five C’s of Data: Chart, Color, Context, Clutter, and Composition. Through learning about the Five C's, participants of this virtual training will gain skills to present data in a manner that best resonates with their audiences. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Choose the most effective chart for their data Use color for emphasis and action Show data in context for maximum (and realistic) impact Reduce clutter so data insights can be easily understood PRESENTERS Jamie Comstock, MURP, PS-C and Robin Carr, PS-C founded Info Inspired in 2014, after many years of designing and giving presentations with no formal training in this area, and watching their public health colleagues struggle with the same skills gap. Both are certified prevention specialists with 30 years’ combined experience in the field. They’ve spent the last several years researching and testing ways to not only capture and hold an audience’s attention, but to also inspire audiences. They’ve spent countless hours refining the presentation planning process, identifying free resources, and learning how to maximize the tools they already had. It’s also important to know that they aren’t graphic designers, artists, or especially tech savvy. Everything they do, you can do too. They’ve presented at the Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America’s Leadership Forum, the Maine Public Health Association Annual Meeting, the New England Institute of Addiction Studies, the New England School of Best Practices, and provided training and technical assistance to non-profit organizations throughout New England. They have been featured on the Organizing for Change podcast and have an on-demand webinar available through the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center.  

Webinar Description This 1.5 hour interactive session looked at cultivating community support for prevention coalitions and explored how to transform local leaders to prevention champions. As managing a coalition effectively is an art, it requires excellent communication skills and the ability to build both individual and organizational prevention capacity. It also involves establishing and maintaining close working relationships with community members and collaborating with them to select and implement community and culturally appropriate substance misuse prevention interventions. In a post-Covid world, the ways in which we work and communicate have shifted in meaningful ways, but the fundamental principles informing that work remain the same. Learning Objectives: Identify key organizational functions and resources necessary to support effective coalitions Discuss strategies to build organizational capacity Describe key strategies for a plan to continually monitor organizational capacity   Presenter Information Charlotte Carlton brings over 30 years of experience leading and implementing substance use prevention programs at the community, state, regional, and national levels. She is currently working with multiple Education Development Center (EDC) teams to provide support for prevention efforts in Health & Human Services Regions 1 and 2. Previously, she served as the Director of the Southeast Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT) and as a Senior Program Director for the Pacific Institute of Research and Evaluation (PIRE). She has done extensive research on the subject of program sustainability, most recently applying that research to the sustainability of community coalitions. She is the co-recipient of the 2002 Science to Practice award presented by the Society for Prevention Research and the 2001 Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the prevention field from the National Prevention Network.   Additional Documents PowerPoint Flyer Extra Resource - NeC-PTTC Resources Coalitions Post Covid Extra Resource - NeC-PTTC Coalitions Post Covid - Tips for Engagement

Prevention in Pictures: Using Prevention Graphic Novels to Facilitate Conversations with Youth Hosted by the Central East PTTC and New England PTTC January 10, 2024  |  Sarah Johnson, MA, PS-C, and Scott Gagnon, MPP, PS-C Watch now  |  View course description   In the Air, Graphic Medicine | Download a Preview | Request a Full Version (*Printed or Electronic) | Available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Grant Writing Series 2024 – From Basics to Application Part 3: Common Grant Sections Dan Webb, PhD January 23, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION In this session, participants will learn about the most common grant application sections and how to address them. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Explore some of the most common sections in grant applications Learn best practices for gathering data and making a compelling case for your community Develop skills for action planning PRESENTERS Dan Webb, PhD, is co-owner of Catalyst Research, LLC and Catalyst Insight, LLC. Dan has over eighteen years of experience writing and evaluating local, state, and national grants. In addition, he has over ten years of experience in business/organizational intelligence and analytics. His experience includes evaluation and research in education (elementary through post-secondary), youth substance use prevention, health and medicine, and housing and urban development. Dan holds a PhD in Sociology from the University at Buffalo.  

Grant Writing Series 2024 – From Basics to Application Part 2: Getting Your Grant Started Dan Webb, PhD January 16, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION In this session, participants will learn how to read a grant announcement and create a plan for responding to a request for proposals (RFP). LEARNING OBJECTIVES Learn how to determine eligibility for grant funding Explore best practices for building a grant writing team Tips and tricks for making the grant writing process smooth PRESENTERS Dan Webb, PhD, is co-owner of Catalyst Research, LLC and Catalyst Insight, LLC. Dan has over eighteen years of experience writing and evaluating local, state, and national grants. In addition, he has over ten years of experience in business/organizational intelligence and analytics. His experience includes evaluation and research in education (elementary through post-secondary), youth substance use prevention, health and medicine, and housing and urban development. Dan holds a PhD in Sociology from the University at Buffalo.  

        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.        

  Harm Reduction Guide for Prevention Professionals in Rhode Island   This educational resource aims to advance the practice of harm reduction within the substance use continuum of care through a prevention lens. It was created by Public Consulting Group and the New England PTTC for the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH). Information in this guide intends to help prevention professionals in Rhode Island learn more about harm reduction, including shared goals and priorities between the harm reduction and prevention communities, ways to collaborate, best practices for communication and services, and includes practical resources both for prevention professionals and people with a substance use condition. Though it was created for the state of Rhode Island, this guide can be used widely by prevention professionals in any state to enhance their understanding of harm reduction, the types of resources available, and how prevention can both contribute to and benefit from the advancement of harm reduction within the substance use continuum of care.   Stack the Deck Rhode Island This product, made with input from people with lived and living experience in Rhode Island, aims to empower everyone with harm reduction tools, compassionate care resources, and guidance about how to use substances more safely. This deck of cards is sized to fit into harm reduction kits. It is intended to serve as a reference guide for people with a substance use condition about the harm reduction approach to care and practical community and medical resources to help them live the life they want. Information in the deck includes ways to voice needed changes in Rhode Island’s continuum of care, a grievance hotline, services and supplies available, why and how to test for contaminants such as fentanyl and xylazine, how to create a safe environment when using substances, housing options, instructions on how to use injectable and nasal naloxone, information on the state’s Good Samaritan Law, and what to do if an overdose is suspected.   Download the guide. Download stack the deck.   SAMHSA defines harm reduction as a practical and transformative approach that incorporates community-driven public health strategies — including prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion — to empower people who use drugs and their families with the choice to live healthy, self-directed, and purpose-filled lives.    Funding Acknowledgement This guide was prepared by Public Consulting Group (PCG) for the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center (New England PTTC). The PTTC is supported by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award with 100 percent funded by SAMHSA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by SAMHSA/HHS, or the U.S. Government. Cooperative Agreement # 5H79SP081020-05M005

Grant Writing Series 2024 – From Basics to Application Part 1: Introduction to Grant Writing Dan Webb, PhD January 9, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION In this session, participants will learn introductory elements of grant writing. This session will introduce participants to grant terminology, where to find grant opportunities, and how to read grant announcements. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Review commonly used grant terminology Discuss how and where to find grant opportunities appropriate for your organization Explore next steps when finding an application that is of interest PRESENTERS Dan Webb, PhD, is co-owner of Catalyst Research, LLC and Catalyst Insight, LLC. Dan has over eighteen years of experience writing and evaluating local, state, and national grants. In addition, he has over ten years of experience in business/organizational intelligence and analytics. His experience includes evaluation and research in education (elementary through post-secondary), youth substance use prevention, health and medicine, and housing and urban development. Dan holds a PhD in Sociology from the University at Buffalo.  

Mountain Plains PTTC is pleased to offer a new infographic based on new research on risk and protective factors for the three most commonly used substances among adolescents.

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

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

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

  To prevent substance misuse among our youth, we must enhance protective factors and reduce risk factors. Join this webinar to learn how to build protective factors in the youth in a straight-forward, easy to implement way using the Social Development Strategy.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Name the elements of the Social Development Strategy Describe how the elements of the Social Development Strategy interact to create protective factors List a minimum of three ways that the Social Development Strategy can be incorporated into daily interactions and prevention strategies with youth   PRESENTATION RESOURCES Printable presentation slides SDS Assessment Tool Printable version of the participant workbook Flipbook version of the participant workbook    

Webinar Description This 1.5 hour interactive session looked at cultivating community support for prevention coalitions and explored how to transform local leaders to prevention champions. Managing a coalition effectively is an art. It requires excellent communication skills and the ability to build both individual and organizational prevention capacity. It also involves establishing and maintaining close working relationships with community members and collaborating with them to select and implement community and culturally appropriate substance misuse prevention interventions. In a post-Covid world, the ways in which we work and communicate have shifted in meaningful ways, but the fundamental principles informing that work remain the same.   Learning Objectives:   • Identify key components of a coalition that has established community support  • Identify strategies to build coalition members’ leadership capacity   • Explain the process of developing a personal plan to avoid burnout as a coalition leader   Presenter Information Charlotte Carlton brings over 30 years of experience leading and implementing substance use prevention programs at the community, state, regional, and national levels. She is currently working with multiple Education Development Center (EDC) teams to provide support for prevention efforts in Health & Human Services Regions 1 and 2. Previously, she served as the Director of the Southeast Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT) and as a Senior Program Director for the Pacific Institute of Research and Evaluation (PIRE). She has done extensive research on the subject of program sustainability, most recently applying that research to the sustainability of community coalitions. She is the co-recipient of the 2002 Science to Practice award presented by the Society for Prevention Research and the 2001 Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the prevention field from the National Prevention Network.   Additional Documents PowerPoint  Flyer Handout (Tips for Engagement)

Evaluations are an important tool for improving prevention programs and the health and wellbeing of communities. Prevention professionals can use evaluations to gather and analyze data about programs and their impacts. This product explains the importance of evaluation and summarizes the four principles of evaluation. It also describes the key steps of an evaluation and provides examples of questions to ask yourself when planning an evaluation.

One of the most common struggles for prevention coalitions and organizations is finding adequate and sustained funding to continue effective interventions. This resource guide aims to support communities, coalitions, and jurisdictions in diversifying funding to implement evidence-based programs and policies and sustain the effective outcomes they provide. Download Diversifying Prevention Funding PDF  

Xylazine: What We Know About the Latest Substance Trend Josh Esrick, MPP, Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip, and Deborah Nixon Hughes, LCSW-C October 18, 2023, 12:00pm-1:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION Xylazine is an emerging issue across the United States, often used in conjunction with opioids and other substances. Public health professionals must be aware of Xylazine’s effects and how it complicates efforts to prevent and treat other substance use. This presentation summarizes the available research and data on xylazine use. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Discuss the available data on xylazine use and consequences in the United States Describe the impacts of xylazine use Explain harm reduction strategies related to xylazine use Recommend strategies for developing a culturally responsive and relevant public health approach to xylazine use 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.         Deborah Nixon-Hughes, LCSW-C, is the Project Director for the Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC). She is responsible to use proven technology transfer strategies and practices to promote the adoption and implementation of evidence-based prevention and early intervention approaches. Debbie will be the spokesperson and liaison to federal, regional, state and local entities; academic institutions; and prevention, treatment, and/or recovery agencies. Deborah is responsible to identify prevention needs through engaging and collaborating with primary care providers; individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges and their families; and other community stakeholders/systems. As a result, she recommends and coordinates workforce trainings and technical assistance initiatives that can address the needs identifies, and thus reduce the effect of mental and substance use disorders on the health of individuals, their families, and their communities.  

The Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center is excited to announce the 13th episode of our weekly podcast: Walking in Wellness. This series is dedicated to empowering prevention professionals like you with the mindset and skill set necessary to prioritize wellness...every day. This weekly podcast can be accessed via Soundcloud or Spotify. Be sure to follow or subscribe to have episodes delivered weekly!   

The Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center is excited to announce the 12th episode of our weekly podcast: Walking in Wellness. This series is dedicated to empowering prevention professionals like you with the mindset and skill set necessary to prioritize wellness...every day. This weekly podcast can be accessed via Soundcloud or Spotify. Be sure to follow or subscribe to have episodes delivered weekly!   

The Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center is excited to announce the 11th episode of our weekly podcast: Walking in Wellness. This series is dedicated to empowering prevention professionals like you with the mindset and skill set necessary to prioritize wellness...every day. This weekly podcast can be accessed via Soundcloud or Spotify. Be sure to follow or subscribe to have episodes delivered weekly!