Products and Resources Catalog

July 14, 1-2:30pm Course Description The Prevention Think Tank Code of Ethics outlines six principles that govern the professional behavior of substance misuse prevention practitioners: Non-Discrimination, Competence, Integrity, Nature of Services, Confidentiality and Ethical Obligations for Community and Society. Ethical considerations underpin every aspect of our work - from how we select which substance misuse-related issues to address, to how we partner with and engage members of our focus communities, and beyond – and the code of ethics expresses the responsibilities we have and values we hold as preventionists to our colleagues, the people we serve and the general public.   This two-part series explores how our prevention priorities and efforts have changed (and will continue to change) amid the challenges brought on by our country’s recent reckoning with racial inequity and its pandemic experience. Session 2 focuses on principles 4 through 6. We discuss the role of the Prevention Code of Ethics as a touchstone for our field, and introduce an approach for critically evaluating its principles to determine how to better align them with current and emerging needs within the prevention landscape. Learning Objective explore the relationship between the prevention code of ethics and emerging issues in prevention, with focus on 4 through 6.  describe how prevention practitioners can use the code of ethics to guide their professional responses to changing cultures and contexts.  develop a personal action plan for enhancing the ethical performance of their professional responsibilities  Presenters Ivy Jones-Turner – Is a training and technical assistance specialist with Education Development Center. 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 sustainability. Ms. Jones-Turner is a Certified Prevention Specialist and holds an MPA from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.   Jessica Goldberg - Is a training and technical assistance specialist with Education Development Center. For over a decade, Jess has specialized in building capacity to improve behavioral health at the national, state, regional and local levels. Her areas of expertise include preventing youth substance use; promoting cross-sector collaborations; addressing health disparities; strategic planning, logic model development, and sustainability planning. Jess holds an MSW and MPH from Boston University, and is a Certified Prevention Specialist.  Sandra Del Sesto, M.ED, ACPS – Is a co-author of SAHMSA’s Center for Applied Prevention Technology’s Substance Abuse Prevention Training and many prevention ethicscourses. For over 35 years, she has provided training, community and strategic planning, support program development, and capacity building in all areas of prevention practice. Sandra sits on the board of both the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), as well as CODCA, a statewide treatment program specializing in opioid treatment services.   Supplemental Materials Session Transcript Session Slides Enhancing Prevention Ethics to Meet New Challenges Handout CAPT Advanced Ethics: Ethics for Policies for Agencies CAPT Advanced Ethics: Ethics for Social Media SAPST Wellness Handout Enhanced National CLASS Standards

We are honored to present a 4-part virtual learning series as a collaboration between the Central East PTTC, Central East ATTC, National American Indian & Alaska Natives PTTC, and the National Hispanic and Latino PTTC.  Together, we will connect you with subject matter experts from various diverse cultural backgrounds.  This will provide a perspective of what LGBTQIA2S+ BIPOC individuals would like Prevention Professionals to know when serving the population.   We will start by interpreting acronyms associated with LGBTQIA2S+ communities:  LGTBQIA2S+ is an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit, and countless affirmative ways in which people choose to self-identify. BIPOC refers to Black, Indigenous, and people of color.  People of color is an umbrella term generalized to all people who aren’t white.   Please join us for a roundtable discussion.  Participants will have an opportunity to learn from subject matter experts, as well individuals whom identify as BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA2S+.  Cultural aspects and specifics of each culture represented in the series will be discussed, as well as what historical data are behind the challenges faced by each group.   Participants will also learn about the specific risk and protective factors, difficulties the communities are experiencing with current Behavioral Health Systems, how to enhance the strengths of each system to increase engagement and retention, as well as many other critical topics.   By the end of the series, participants will leave with knowledge and tangible actions to help make a difference, as an important part of our role as prevention professionals.  What can we do to educate ourselves and serve the population better and with respect and humility?  Series Overall Learning Objectives Participants will deep dive into the cultural aspects and specifics of each culture represented in this panel discussion. They will also learn about the risk factors and historical data behind the challenges from each culture.  Participants will learn how to identify and - more importantly – how to increase the Protective Factors, highlighting the differences between different people and cultures, celebrating the strengthens across the communities, and finding ways to thrive together.   Participants will get an overview of the challenges and strengths of the current behavioral health system, how to improve it, and moving the needle toward increasing engagement and retention.  Call to Action: Participants will gain from panelists, what lessons are learned, and what to do next? What are the tools and resources you need to start or enhance your efforts towards diversity and inclusion?   Additional Resources Presentation Slides About the Panelists Anna Mable-Jones CPRS, NCPRSS Anna Mable-Jones CPRS, NCPRSS Anna Mable-Jones CPRS, NCPRSS is an Oxford House Resource Coordinator in DC and Maryland, a nonprofit network of 2,684 (internationally) self-help recovery homes. She assisted in opening 43 DC/MD Oxford Houses. She is a woman in long-term recovery who has been in recovery since 1999 and has worked with Oxford House, Inc. since 2000, recipient of the 2005 Oxford House Founders Award. Anna is a true ambassador for women in recovery. She radiates the power of recovery and transformation every day. Anna is a trainer in Wellness Recovery Action Plan Facilitator and CCAR Recovery Coaching Trainer. Anna is in here 4th year training to become a Core Energetics Practitioner. She has had many opportunities to work with community organizations and leaders to promote the societal benefits of prevention, treatment and recovery for substance abuse and mental illness. One of Anna’s passions in life is to be a continuous educator of hope and persistence and shares her experiences freely. Along with devoting her spirited knowledge to Oxford House, she has also created a successful 12-Step bible study called Life Recovery at her local church. Anna is also a Reiki Master Teacher and a founding member of District of Columbia Recovery Community Alliance (DCRCA) a Peer Operated Center. Demetrie Garner Demetrie Garner is a Peer Recovery Specialist at the Emergency Department. This has given him the vantage point to encounter minority disparities. A lack of health communication targeted to African-Americans, and other minorities help further this disparity. As a Peer Recovery Specialist, the visible cracks of systemic inadequacies in health care and its access garners attention and policy changes in patients with substance use disorders. The experience in active addiction abusing opiates, cocaine, and alcohol for 26 years with countless relapses fostered the expertise needed to help others in active addiction. Finding recovery over the last 2 and 1/2 years while working in the recovery field has given Demetrie a unique perspective on recidivism and retention throughout the process of recovery. With the help of the God of his understanding (Jesus Christ), Narcotics Anonymous, and healthy relationships, the pathway of a daily reprieve from active addiction is now possible. Continuous work through pastoral licensed counseling has unlocked the acceptance of childhood molestation and recovery from trauma. Demetrie is currently a Pre-McNair Scholar with ambitions to attend the UMBC School of Public Policy M.P.P Program in spring of 2022 after obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Public Health. Gary Neumann Gary Neumann has over 33 years’ experience in the field of prevention and human resource development.  He has worked successfully with a variety of tribal, state and federal agencies in the area of program design, implementation and evaluation focusing on at-risk youth, their families and communities.  Currently, he works for Tribal Tech as a TTA Coordinator and serves as a task lead for training SAMHSA staff.  He has developed a series of newsletters – Spirit-Honor-Inclusion with a focus on Two Spirit issues. Mr. Neumann previously served as the Project Manager of the Rocky Mountain Tribal Access to Recovery III program.  He also served as the Training and Technical Assistance Director of the Native American Center for Excellence, NACE, a national resource center for Native American substance abuse prevention providing culturally centered training, technical assistance, and information resource services to a variety of Native and non-Native audiences throughout the United States.  His work experience includes extensive knowledge of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA) and how it applies to American Indians and Alaska Natives, having developed and conducted ACA trainings for Montana/Wyoming Tribes.  Mr. Neumann is skilled in assessment, capacity building, prevention specialist certification, marketing, grant writing, methamphetamine prevention, youth violence, bullying and suicide prevention, and sustainability.  Mr. Neumann has developed several culturally appropriate training curriculums, community-based organizing modules and presented and trained at many national and international conferences throughout the United States, Alaska and Canada.  Mr. Neumann is an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Nation and identifies as Two Spirit. The Future Looks Bright: We are truly blessed to be living in a time when we can openly have webinars and conversations with our Two Spirit and LGBTQ brothers and sisters.  I was in West Hollywood when the first Pride celebration occurred, and I remember a lot happening since then.  The road to get here was long, hard, painful, and often lonely.  Sometimes we had to claw tooth and nail through a society that did not care whether we lived or died and indeed did not care when our friends were dying.  When I was 28, I was not going to gay marriage ceremonies, I was going to funerals.  This new world was won by other LGBTQTS brothers and sisters who are living in our golden years.  I believe those working in this field today were prayed into these roles by those ancestors who went before. I am proud that you are taking such care of our community.  I am proud and honored to be here and the Future Looks Bright.  Gary B. Neumann, “Red Cloud”, Salish, Pend O’rielle – Member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Dr. Hector Y. Adames Dr. Hector Y. Adames received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the APA accredited program at Wright State University in Ohio and completed his APA pre-doctoral internship at the Boston University School of Medicine’s Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology (CMTP). Currently, he is a Full Professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago Campus. He co-founded and co-directs the IC-RACE Lab (Immigration Critical Race And Cultural Equity Lab). Dr. Adames has published several books, including (1) Cultural Foundations and Interventions in Latinx Mental Health: History, Theory and within Group Differences published by Routledge Press, (2) Caring for Latinxs with Dementia in a Globalized world published by Springer, and (3) Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide. His research focuses on how socio-race, skin color, colorism, ethnic and racial group membership influence wellness. He has earned several awards, including the 2018 Distinguished Emerging Professional Research Award from The Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race, a Division of the American Psychological Association (APA).

We are honored to present a 4-part virtual learning series as a collaboration between the Central East PTTC, Central East ATTC, National American Indian & Alaska Natives PTTC, and the National Hispanic and Latino PTTC.  Together, we will connect you with subject matter experts from various diverse cultural backgrounds.  This will provide a perspective of what LGBTQIA2S+ BIPOC individuals would like Prevention Professionals to know when serving the population.   We will start by interpreting acronyms associated with LGBTQIA2S+ communities:  LGTBQIA2S+ is an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit, and countless affirmative ways in which people choose to self-identify. BIPOC refers to Black, Indigenous, and people of color.  People of color is an umbrella term generalized to all people who aren’t white.   Please join us for a roundtable discussion.  Participants will have an opportunity to learn from subject matter experts, as well individuals whom identify as BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA2S+.  Cultural aspects and specifics of each culture represented in the series will be discussed, as well as what historical data are behind the challenges faced by each group.   Participants will also learn about the specific risk and protective factors, difficulties the communities are experiencing with current Behavioral Health Systems, how to enhance the strengths of each system to increase engagement and retention, as well as many other critical topics.   By the end of the series, participants will leave with knowledge and tangible actions to help make a difference, as an important part of our role as prevention professionals.  What can we do to educate ourselves and serve the population better and with respect and humility?    Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions for our presenters during the live event.  Series Overall Learning Objectives Participants will deep dive into the cultural aspects and specifics of each culture represented in this panel discussion. They will also learn about the risk factors and historical data behind the challenges from each culture.  Participants will learn how to identify and - more importantly – how to increase the Protective Factors, highlighting the differences between different people and cultures, celebrating the strengthens across the communities, and finding ways to thrive together.   Participants will get an overview of the challenges and strengths of the current behavioral health system, how to improve it, and moving the needle toward increasing engagement and retention.  Call to Action: Participants will gain from panelists, what lessons are learned, and what to do next? What are the tools and resources you need to start or enhance your efforts towards diversity and inclusion?   Additional Resources Presentation Slides About the Panelists Anna Mable-Jones CPRS, NCPRSS Anna Mable-Jones CPRS, NCPRSS Anna Mable-Jones CPRS, NCPRSS is an Oxford House Resource Coordinator in DC and Maryland, a nonprofit network of 2,684 (internationally) self-help recovery homes. She assisted in opening 43 DC/MD Oxford Houses. She is a woman in long-term recovery who has been in recovery since 1999 and has worked with Oxford House, Inc. since 2000, recipient of the 2005 Oxford House Founders Award. Anna is a true ambassador for women in recovery. She radiates the power of recovery and transformation every day. Anna is a trainer in Wellness Recovery Action Plan Facilitator and CCAR Recovery Coaching Trainer. Anna is in here 4th year training to become a Core Energetics Practitioner. She has had many opportunities to work with community organizations and leaders to promote the societal benefits of prevention, treatment and recovery for substance abuse and mental illness. One of Anna’s passions in life is to be a continuous educator of hope and persistence and shares her experiences freely. Along with devoting her spirited knowledge to Oxford House, she has also created a successful 12-Step bible study called Life Recovery at her local church. Anna is also a Reiki Master Teacher and a founding member of District of Columbia Recovery Community Alliance (DCRCA) a Peer Operated Center. Demetrie Garner Demetrie Garner is a Peer Recovery Specialist at the Emergency Department. This has given him the vantage point to encounter minority disparities. A lack of health communication targeted to African-Americans, and other minorities help further this disparity. As a Peer Recovery Specialist, the visible cracks of systemic inadequacies in health care and its access garners attention and policy changes in patients with substance use disorders. The experience in active addiction abusing opiates, cocaine, and alcohol for 26 years with countless relapses fostered the expertise needed to help others in active addiction. Finding recovery over the last 2 and 1/2 years while working in the recovery field has given Demetrie a unique perspective on recidivism and retention throughout the process of recovery. With the help of the God of his understanding (Jesus Christ), Narcotics Anonymous, and healthy relationships, the pathway of a daily reprieve from active addiction is now possible. Continuous work through pastoral licensed counseling has unlocked the acceptance of childhood molestation and recovery from trauma. Demetrie is currently a Pre-McNair Scholar with ambitions to attend the UMBC School of Public Policy M.P.P Program in spring of 2022 after obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Public Health. Matt Ignacio (Tohono O’odham), PhD, MSSW Dr. Ignacio is currently an Assistant Professor at Arizona State University’s School of Social Work located in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. He has previously worked with the National American Indian and Alaska Native ATTC as a Research Manager and as a Senior Behavioral Health Consultant. Matt has also worked for the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC) overseeing HIV education and capacity-building assistance programs. Prior to NNAAPC, Matt worked in the Michael Palm Center for AIDS Care and Support at Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), the world's first and largest AIDS service organization located in New York City. His responsibilities included developing, implementing and evaluating GMHC’s first sterile syringe access program and providing harm reduction-based alcohol and drug counseling. Matt received his Doctorate of Philosophy in Social Welfare at the University of Washington School of Social Work, his Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University School of Social Work, and his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California in Santa Barbara. Dr. Carlos A. O. Pavão, DrPH, MPA Dr. Carlos A. O. Pavão is is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences at the School of Public Health at Georgia State University. He has more than 20 years of public health practitioner experience both at the local and national levels. Throughout his career, he has focused on the nexus between dissemination research and innovative public health programming, specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and linguistic minority populations. Dr. Pavão started his public health career a as community organizer in HIV prevention and operated several tobacco control and substance use community coalitions. In the 1990s, he developed three community-based adolescent health programs to educate sexual minority youth on healthy relationships, suicide prevention, HIV/STD prevention, and teen pregnancy. One of these youth programs was recognized by Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards in an article published in 2000 — “Massachusetts Groups Help Gay Teens Cope”. This newspaper article explored the complexities of what it means to be a gay youth of color. Prior to embarking on his doctoral degree, he worked for 10 years on a national SAMHSA technical assistance grant to provide trainings and strategic technical assistance to Single State Agencies (including Caribbean territories and Tribes) on public health planning and implementation, capacity building, sustainability planning, and evaluation. In 2000 he was appointed by the Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift (and served under Governor Mitt Romney) to serve to the Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth. In 2007, he was selected by Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, Director at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to serve a four-year appointment on Director’s Council of Public Representatives (COPR) – and served under three NIH Directors. As Principal Investigator, he completed two community-based research projects looking at health access with bisexuals and transgender communities in Atlanta. Dr. Pavão earned his doctorate of public heath (DrPH) at Texas A&M University, School of Public Health. He is presently working on a book with Routledge on American Luso-Brazilian Health Inquities to be releases in late 2022.

    Webinar: Building a Habit of Cultural Humility in Prevention   Webinar Date: June 10, 2021 The terms cultural humility and cultural competency are often used inter-changeably when in fact, they are very different. This webinar will set a solid foundation for understanding the difference between cultural competency and cultural humility. We will also dig deep into the application of cultural humility for prevention practitioners in their day-to-day work.    Audience Community, tribal, jurisdiction, and state-level prevention practitioners and allied health partners and community members located in the Pacific Southwest states and jurisdictions of American Samoa, Arizona, California, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.   Presenter Anthony President is the Founder, CEO and Chief Training Officer of Presidential Consultants. Master Trainer, International Speaker and author of the book “Invincible Social Worker”, Anthony President has empowered and inspired more than 100,000 people to perform, produce and partner better at their places of work.  Thousands of companies and organizations have been transformed as a result of Anthony’s work. With over 20 years of facilitation experience, Anthony utilizes a broad range of active learning methodologies to engage and inspire learners to put new ideas into practice creating tangible results for their organizations.            Webinar Recording View Webinar   Webinar Slides Webinar Slides   Other Resources Racial Bias Training Film by Stanley Nelson of Firelight

The Mountain Plains PTTC has developed a new Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) infographic.  The Debate vs. Dialogue shows why it is important to avoid debating and instead strive to create open dialogue.    /media/3852

Although we have a number of buzzwords focused on diversity and cultural inclusion, this topic should have always been at the forefront of our minds. In fact, when you truly examine our code of ethics and the Strategic Prevention Framework, is it obvious that diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded in our professional standards? This episode places a spotlight on the WHY and HOW we can be intentional about improving health equity in our prevention practice.

Slides from the May 26, 2021 session, " Families and Relationships - Part 3". This session featured Avis Garcia, PhD, LAT, LPC, NCC, Northern Arapaho.

Are You Aware of Your Implicit Bias? De'Asia Harris, MPHc, and Leah Blackall, MPHc May 18, 2021, 12-1:30 PM EST COURSE DESCRIPTION Alongside structural racism and discrimination embedded within the United States is implicit or unconscious bias. Equally important as other social determinants, implicit bias contributes to adverse health outcomes of particular populations. This webinar will address the role of implicit bias and how it impacts individuals who seek substance use treatment and other behavioral health services to mitigate adverse behavioral health outcomes. It will divulge the interruption inaccessibility, the referral process, and consequences associated with the implicit bias of vulnerable populations. Methods and tactics to reduce implicit bias will be explored to eliminate the stigma associated with those who require substance use treatments or other behavioral health services. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Develop and understand tactics to mitigate individual implicit bias within Behavioral Health Reduce the stigma associated with behavioral illness through unconscious or implicit bias Recognize and identify methods by which cultures influence implicit bias within Behavioral Health Understand how implicit bias and lack of cultural humility and cultural competency impedes positive Behavioral Health outcomes PRESENTERS De'Asia Harris, MPHc is a graduate student at the University of Maryland, with a Public Health Practice and Policy program concentration.  She earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in May of 2017.  She is also a graduate research assistant for the Consortium on Race, Gender and Ethnicity (CRGE) at the University of Maryland. She currently works as a Medical Assistant at an Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic in Washington, D.C., and an intern for The Danya Institute's Central East Region Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC). This summer, she will be partnering with the University of Miami's Minority Health Research Training (MHRT) program to research health disparities in the Dominican Republic. Upon completion of her MPH program, she plans to pursue her Ph.D. in Community Prevention. Her career goal is to pursue public health research focusing on economic stability and public health among underserved populations. Leah Blackall, MPHc is the Training and Technical Assistance intern for the Central East PTTC. Currently, an MPH candidate at the University of Maryland, focusing on Public Health Practice and Policy. Her ultimate goal is to find solutions to eliminate health disparities within the healthcare system and improve access and quality of care.    

  The Great Lakes PTTC offers this session for behavioral health professionals and prevention practitioners in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI. This training is offered in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.   Alcohol prevention efforts often focus on reducing high-risk drinking among high-risk drinking population. For years, this was true at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. After surveying students and finding that students of color are some of the lowest-risk drinkers, University staff wanted to investigate the impact alcohol culture has on students of color. To that end, they created the Color of Drinking survey, and used it along with an analysis of social media to gain better perspective on this question. Knowing this, UW–Madison decided to investigate the impact of its alcohol culture on students of color through the Color of Drinking Survey in 2015 and 2017. Findings from both surveys will be discussed in this session. This webinar will examine the intersection of alcohol prevention and social justice and strategies implemented with UW–Madison campus partners to create a more inclusive environment and present key findings from this exploratory study.   Learning Objectives   Through this session, participants will: Gain knowledge about a mixed methods approach for evaluating the experiences of students of color; Be able to identify one strategy to engage campus partners around alcohol and social justice issues;  and Gain an understanding of how alcohol can impact climate issues.   Speaker: Reonda Washington, MPH, CHES Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Reonda Washington is a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her work involves helping students to make healthy choices around alcohol, researching the UW-Madison alcohol culture, collaborating with campus partners to build capacity, implementing alcohol prevention programs, and data analysis.   

In this tool, you can see how you can use each step to inform your practices. Feel free to use this map with stakeholders, a coalition, or community members to explain the process and how you'll use this tool. At the end of this guide, there is a survey that you can use with your organization, coalition, or group to assess your strengths and areas of growth. The New England PTTC will create a report from your organization-specific data which you can share with your team to assess what areas you may want to focus your work around diversity and inclusion. You may return to this tool when you have determined which areas you want to work on for thoughts on what you might do to improve.   Prevention specialists make a commitment to serving the community. To serve a community fully and equitably, the prevention specialist must recognize that not all parts of the community receive prevention messaging and programing the same way. In order to reach all the diverse parts of your population, you must make intentional efforts to identify, understand, and speak to the full variety of people you serve.

  The Great Lakes PTTC offers this training for prevention practitioners and behavioral health professionals in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI.  This training is offered in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders. This webinar will focus on the importance of applying a racial equity “lens” to effective prevention and offer practical tools for integrating racial equity frameworks into prevention practice.     Learning Objectives Define a racial equity lens and its application in prevention Explore the historic and contemporary relationship of prevention to racial equity and the implications – especially in the context of community-based work Describe practical approaches to developing prevention strategies that are informed by a racial equity lens, including their application to the SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF)   Speaker: Makani Themba, Higher Ground Change Strategies   Makani Themba is Chief Strategist at Higher Ground Change Strategies based in Jackson, Mississippi. A social justice innovator and pioneer in the field of change communications and narrative strategy, she has spent more than 20 years supporting organizations, coalitions and philanthropic institutions in developing high impact change initiatives.  Higher Ground Change Strategies provides her the opportunity to bring her strong sense of history, social justice and organizing knowledge, and deft movement facilitation skills  in support of change makers seeking to take their work to the next level. Read Ms.Themba’s full bio.

Listening Session Materials: Slidedeck - Listening Session #2: The Role of Prevention Professionals in Supporting People of Color Northeast and Caribbean Prevention Technology Transfer Center's - Worksheet: Analyzing Existing Partnerships through a Health Equity Lens Northeast and Caribbean Prevention Technology Transfer Center's - Worksheet: Taking a Health Equity Approach to Identifying New Partners   Listening Session Date: February 23, 2021   Listening Session Series Overview: The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the historical issues of social injustice and structural racism. In response, a number of organizations hosted webinars and learning communities discussing health equity and its relationship to the substance misuse prevention field and the implementation of best practices and programs. As we move further into 2021, it’s important to remember that these issues have NOT changed. Our work is NOT done. This listening session series is designed for two audiences: 1) Prevention practitioners who are in leadership positions; and 2) All other prevention professionals working in the field of prevention. The purpose of the sessions is to create a space to truly evaluate the role of prevention professionals in addressing structural racism and in supporting people of color. Please download the handout, Structural Racism and Supporting People of Color: The Role of Prevention Professionals. This will be used to guide the conversation and to discuss the practical application of the recommendations outlined. Also, you may like to listen to our archived webinars prior to the listening session series: Webinar: Why Health Equity Matters in Prevention Part 1 Webinar: Why Health Equity Matters in Prevention Part 2   Facilitator Nicole Augustine, MPH, MCHES, PS received her B.A. in Sociology from Cornell University and her Master of Public Health from The George Washington University School of Public Health. She is a passionate public health practitioner, dedicated to the utilization of evidence-based strategies because Prevention Works! With a background in sociology and public health, Nicole constantly evaluates human behavior through the lens of a sociocultural perspective. Utilizing this frame of thought, she provides technical assistance to communities as they address the root causes of substance misuse issues.      

Monthly e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.  February 2021 issue features resources for Black History Month, The Counselor's Corner, state spotlight on Ohio, the new Peer Recovery Center of Excellence website, and more!

Presentation to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission on behalf of the National Hispanic and Latino PTTC. Presented by Pierluigi Mancini, PhD., MAC

This webinar is the final installment of a four-part series, The Six Elements of Effective Coalitions, produced by the PTTC Network Community Coalitions and Collaborators Working Group. This webinar will answer the question, ‘how do you ensure your coalition is working efficiently toward its overall goals as well as building cohesion among its members?' We will explore how to foster cohesion intentionally and how to work efficiently, highlighting real-world examples with two coalition spotlights.   Six Elements of Effective Coalitions: Efficiency and Cohesion from PTTC Network on Vimeo.      

Improving Health Outcomes for Diverse Populations Part 3: Cultural Humility in the Behavioral Health Space Anthony President January 26, 2021, 1-2:30 PM EST   COURSE DESCRIPTION Behavioral Health Staff support diverse populations throughout the day that may have cultural backgrounds different from their own. It is imperative that workers build a bridge of understanding to better communicate and relate to a broad range of clients. Cultural Humility is a tool that allows workers to explore the culture of others as they explore themselves. Cultural Humility is achieved through respect, open mindedness, and a willingness to learn about diversity. This workshop explores the dynamics of cultural humility and how it can help bridge the gap between staff and diverse clients. “Cultural competence is widely seen as a foundational pillar for reducing disparities through culturally sensitive and unbiased quality care”- (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services) LEARNING OBJECTIVES Participants will define cultural humility. Participants will understand cultural humility as a dynamic process that involves self-reflection & self-examination. Participants will examine potential barriers to achieving cultural humility. Participants will use strategies to employ cultural humility in client engagement and delivery to reduce behavioral health disparities. PRESENTER Anthony President is a Certified Trainer with the Institute for Human Services, Ohio Human Services Training Program, Author and Executive Coach. He holds a BA in Sociology from John Carroll University. He has served with distinction as the Senior Training Officer, for Cuyahoga County Human Services and worked with fragile families as a Social Services Worker. Anthony has over 20 years training experience in both the public and private sector on a variety of Human Service and Employee Development topics. HOSTS This training was developed under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC), Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC), Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) task orders (Reference #s 1H79TI080210, 3H79SM081785, and 1H79SP081018) and is for training use only. Learn more about the Central East ATTC, Central East MHTTC, and Central East PTTC. The Central East ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC are managed by The Danya Institute.

Structural racism affects every aspect of American life and society, but it can be confronted at an organizational level with anti-racist actions. These organizational action items will empower prevention professionals to incorporate anti-racism into the operational practices and community outcomes of their prevention work.

Improving Health Outcomes for Diverse Populations Part 2: The Hidden Self- Exploring our Implicit Bias Anthony President January 19, 2021, 1-2:30 PM EST   COURSE DESCRIPTION Bias in all human being begins in childhood and is a natural cognitive function of us all. Well intentioned people who consciously disapprove of bias can still harbor implicit bias. Implicit bias can occur instantly &involuntarily with certain groups of people (Justice Research & Statistics Association, 2018). This workshop challenges Behavioral Health Staff to examine their implicit biases which can influence service engagement, case decisions, actions, attitudes and behaviors towards those we serve. We will assess our implicit biases and learn strategies to limit and manage them in the behavioral health setting. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Participants will define and understand implicit bias. Participants will understand the challenges and potential effects of implicit bias in behavioral health care. Participants will assess and determine implicit biases they may possess. Participants will use strategies to help cleanse implicit bias. PRESENTER Anthony President is a Certified Trainer with the Institute for Human Services, Ohio Human Services Training Program, Author and Executive Coach. He holds a BA in Sociology from John Carroll University. He has served with distinction as the Senior Training Officer, for Cuyahoga County Human Services and worked with fragile families as a Social Services Worker. Anthony has over 20 years training experience in both the public and private sector on a variety of Human Service and Employee Development topics. HOSTS This training was developed under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC), Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC), Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) task orders (Reference #s 1H79TI080210, 3H79SM081785, and 1H79SP081018) and is for training use only. Learn more about the Central East ATTC, Central East MHTTC, and Central East PTTC. The Central East ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC are managed by The Danya Institute.

Improving Health Outcomes for Diverse Populations Part 1: Inequality, Systemic Racism and Disparities Impact on the Behavioral Health of our Clients Anthony President January 12, 2021, 1-2:30 PM EST   COURSE DESCRIPTION The Pandemic and recent incidents of Police Brutality have shed new light on age- old problems in the U.S. – inequality, systemic racism and disparities in behavioral health. These problems have caused an increase in substance abuse, suicides, child abuse, and depression. Unfortunately, equality in behavioral health care is the ideal but not yet the real. Disparities occur across many dimensions, including race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, location, gender, disability status, and sexual orientation – Kaiser Family. This workshop will discuss how the recent incidents of civil unrest due to police brutality and the disproportionate impact of COVID 19 on African Americans, Latin X and aged populations. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Participants will be able to define systemic racism and disparities. Participants will be able to understand the extent of how systemic racism, civil unrest, and disparities has impacted our client population. Participants will be able to list the factors that can contribute to behavioral health care disparities such as provider bias, economic issues and sociopolitical factors among diverse populations. PRESENTER Anthony President is a Certified Trainer with the Institute for Human Services, Ohio Human Services Training Program, Author and Executive Coach. He holds a BA in Sociology from John Carroll University. He has served with distinction as the Senior Training Officer, for Cuyahoga County Human Services and worked with fragile families as a Social Services Worker. Anthony has over 20 years training experience in both the public and private sector on a variety of Human Service and Employee Development topics. HOSTS This training was developed under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC), Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC), Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) task orders (Reference #s 1H79TI080210, 3H79SM081785, and 1H79SP081018) and is for training use only. Learn more about the Central East ATTC, Central East MHTTC, and Central East PTTC. The Central East ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC are managed by The Danya Institute.

Click "download" above to access: Slide Decks & Transcript     This 60-minute webinar will highlight overdose disparities in rural and urban populations, with an emphasis on the unique challenges associated with engaging diverse populations in these settings.  Presenters from Illinois and Michigan will share data on disparities in their respective states, along with examples of strategies being implemented to engage disparate populations in overdose prevention. This webinar is the second in a series that highlights overdose prevention efforts in HHS Region 5.     Learning Objectives Highlight urban–rural differences in drug overdose death rates by sex, age group, and the type of drugs involved. Review challenges associated with engaging urban-rural at-risk populations Present current strategies being employed in Illinois and Michigan to address overdose disparities through harm reduction   Speakers Chuck Klevgaard, BSW Prevention Specialist  Great Lakes PTTC Chuck Klevgaard delivers training and technical assistance to support substance misuse prevention throughout the Midwest. He has supported communities and health agencies as they adopt evidence-based alcohol, opioid, and other substance misuse programs or policies. Chuck also serves as a prevention manager to the Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center. Chuck delivers training and technical assistance to support substance misuse prevention throughout the Midwest. He has supported communities and health agencies as they adopt evidence-based alcohol, opioid, and other substance misuse programs or policies. He also serves as a prevention manager to the Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center. Chuck earned his BSW from Minnesota State University Moorhead. He is a Certified Senior Prevention Specialist through the Illinois Certification Board, Inc.   Brandon Hool, BS Harm Reduction Analyst  Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Viral Hepatitis Unit   Brandon Hool is a Harm Reduction Analyst with MDHHS, where he works with communities across the state of Michigan to increase the availability of, and access to, syringe service programs (SSPs). Expanding these programs is one of the 6 pillars of Michigan’s Opioid Response Strategy. SSPs are also heavily entwined with the state’s overdose prevention efforts. From October, 2019 – September, 2020, these programs distributed over 29,000 Naloxone kits resulting in over 1,600 reported overdose reversals.  Prior to working with MDHHS, Brandon was with The Grand Rapids Red Project as manager of their recovery programs. These programs were focused on improving health among people who used drugs and included syringe access, overdose prevention and response, hepatitis C screening and recovery coaching.  Brandon earned a bachelor’s degree in community development from Central Michigan University in 2018.  He also has a robust history of personal drug use experience and has been able to draw on this resource to guide him professionally.   James Kowalsky Bureau of Prevention Services Illinois Department of Health Services/SUPR/Bureau of Prevention Services James Kowalsky is the Project Director for a SAMHSA-funded grant to prevent prescription drug and opioid overdose deaths at the Illinois Department of Human Services, in the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery. He serves as the Drug Overdose Prevention Program Coordinator and provides support to Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) providers throughout the state of Illinois.      

View supplemental resources Presented by: Ivan Juzang, MBA Description: This session is designed to improve prevention professionals’ cultural competency and ability to communicate with low-income communities of color (particularly urban, African-American communities), to provide them with behavioral health information in a way that is effective and culturally-relevant. The webinar addresses why traditional forms of health communications may not be cost-effective or culturally-sensitive, and also how they may be insulting to low-income audiences and counter-productive to a prevention program’s goals. Learning Objectives: Increase their awareness and understanding of the worldview and specific cultural and communication dynamics of African-American communities. Identify key differences between oral-based and literate-based cultures. Gain information and context that enhances empathy for clients who reflect different backgrounds, experiences and worldviews from outreach and other staff at the agencies and programs designed to serve them. Learn the steps required to develop trauma-informed, culturally relevant messaging and materials, including how to develop messages that include references to stress & trauma, resilience and healing/recovery, so that they resonate with audiences who live in at-risk environments. About Ivan Juzang, MBA Ivan Juzang, MBA, Founder and President of MEE Productions Inc., is a leading expert in health communications and social marketing. He has over 25 years of first-hand experience working on health disparities and public health issues affecting low income, underserved and devalued communities across America. Mr. Juzang’s work focuses on how service providers, community-based organizations and the public health community can present trauma-informed and culturally-relevant health information in such a way that lifestyle changes are sustainable in the context of an economically-challenged and stressed-out life. MEE specializes in community-centered approaches that acknowledge the social determinants of health, honor personal assets and resiliency, infuse protective factors and embrace trauma-informed strategies. MEE has been engaged in substance abuse prevention work since 1991 in low-income urban communities across the country.  Its specific opioid misuse work has been conducted in urban, suburban and rural communities over the last five years, in places that include Philadelphia, Baltimore and New Orleans, with Prevention Coalitions across Ohio and statewide agencies in Louisiana. Mr. Juzang was a member of the Advisory Committee on Public Issues for The Ad Council and a current board member of Power to Decide (formerly the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy). From 2003-2009, Mr. Juzang was a member of The Office of National Drug Control and Policy's Behavior Change Expert Panel. Mr. Juzang received his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University, and his MBA from The Wharton School of Business.  

  COURSE DESCRIPTION In this final session of the five-part series, Dr. Flojaune Cofer focuses on how organizational and institutional barriers to racial equity create community trauma and explores opportunities to build equity in your community. Albert Gay guides participants through the completion of the learning community's SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) action plan for delivering culturally competent services. PowerPoint SWOT Handout  The People of Color Learning Community participants came together for session 1 of a 5-part series to develop a SWOT analysis. Participants were divided into small groups representing each of the areas of the SWOT. Three top priorities were identified for each area. Additional stakeholders and resources are identified for each priority area. This document can be utilized within the tribal, community or state when addressing prevention in communities of color.   PRESENTER Dr. Flojaune Griffin Cofer is an epidemiologist who serves as the Senior Director of Policy for Public Health Advocates. She oversees the state policy efforts and the All Children Thrive-CA local trauma policy initiative. Her professional interest is addressing emerging and persistent public health challenges through research and policy. Her work primarily focuses on metabolic disease prevention, restorative justice, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). She previously served as the Director of State Policy and Research. Prior to joining Public Health Advocates, she led the preconception health initiative for the California Department of Public Health. Flojaune received Bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Women's Studies from Spelman College. Her public health training was at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health where she earned a Master’s in Public Health and a doctorate in epidemiology. She is an alumna of California Epidemiologic Investigation Service and the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program. Flojaune is deeply committed to civic engagement having served in various capacities on local boards, committees and commissions, including the Active Transportation Commission, Mayors' Commission on Climate Change, Sheriff's Outreach Community Advisory Board, Board of Directors for Girl Scouts Heart of Central California, and chairing the City of Sacramento Measure U Community Oversight Commission. For her professional contributions and community participation she was awarded the Young Professional of the Year Award by the Sacramento Urban League, the Exceptional Woman of Color Award by the Sacramento Cultural Hub, and the 40 Under 40 Award by the Sacramento Business Journal.

This webinar is the third installment of a four-part series, The Six Elements of Effective Coalitions, produced by the PTTC Network Community Coalitions and Collaborators Working Group. In our last webinar, we learned about the need for a diverse set of members who meaningfully participate on your coalition. This webinar will answer the question, ‘how do you ensure your coalition is working towards a common goal and providing your coalition members with the necessary skills for success?’ We will explore how to intentionally foster goal directedness and develop members’ skills highlighting real-world examples with two coalition spotlights. Live Date: November 19 2-3:30CT 1.5 hours   Six Elements of Effective Coalitions: Goal Directedness and New Skills from PTTC Network on Vimeo.  

  COURSE DESCRIPTION This session focuses on using the cultural competence continuum to help gauge an organization's capacity to provide culturally inclusive services and to create an open dialogue with communities of color. The model describes cultural competency as movement along a continuum that is based on the premise of respect and appreciation of individuals and cultural differences. Select the View Resource button above to watch the recording. Below are the supplemental materials for session 4. PowerPoint SWOT Handout   PRESENTER Terry Cross (Ha-ne-ga-noh), an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation, received his master’s degree in social work from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. He is the founding executive director of the National Indian Child Welfare Association, now serving as senior advisor. He is the author of "Positive Indian Parenting" and co-authored "Towards a Culturally Competent System of Care," published by Georgetown University. He has 47 years of experience in child welfare, including 10 years direct practice.