Products and Resources Catalog

Presentation Title: Addressing the Latest Emerging Substance Use Trends: Xylazine, Nitazenes, Tianeptine, Hallucinogens and Others   Session Description: The substance use landscape is ever changing due to shifts in the demand and supply of substances, the increasing or decreasing importance of various risk and protective factors, and the improvement or deterioration of the social determinants of health. It is vital for prevention professionals to be able to identify and understand these changes and know how to appropriately react to them. Relative changes in substance use patterns, or the causes behind use, can lead to a re-prioritization of key prevention activities in a community or state. This presentation will provide an overview of emerging drug trends nationwide, explain what is known about the causes behind these trends, and discuss potential implications for the prevention field. It will also discuss how prevention professionals can find more information about the emerging trends in their communities or states. Lastly, it will summarize how prevention professionals can use emerging trend data to support their strategic planning efforts, leading to improved goals or objectives. By identifying and addressing emerging trends before they fully develop into larger issues, prevention professionals can better serve the populations most in need of services in their area and improve health equity and outcomes. This presentation will present data on four primary emerging substance use trends: xylazine, nitazenes, tianeptine, and hallucinogens: Xylazine is a non-opioid sedative only approved for veterinary use in the United States. Human consumption of xylazine—often alongside opioid use—has been reported in Puerto Rico for over 20 years. Recently, xylazine use has spread across much of the mainland United States, with epicenters in areas of heavy opioid use. Nitazenes are synthetic opioids with an extremely high potency— similar to fentanyl. Much like fentanyl, it is frequently mixed into other substances and unknowingly consumed by people— significantly increasing the risk of an overdose. One common nitazene, isonitazene, was first identified in the Midwest in 2019 and has since been identified in other regions. Tianeptine is an antidepressant and dietary supplement not approved for either use by the FDA. It has been approved as an antidepressant in some other countries, although that approval has been rescinded by some in recent years. The effects of tianeptine can mimic opioids and recently an increasing number of people have used it as an opioid substitute. Tianeptine poisoning can be fatal and there has been an increase in tianeptine-related calls to poison control centers. Hallucinogens are a class of psychoactive substances that can alter perceptions, moods, and states of consciousness. Hallucinogens are one of the oldest known classes of substances and well-known examples include MDMA and LSD. However, in recent years hallucinogen use has been steadily increasing— reaching an all-time high among young adults in 2021, the most recent year with complete data.

Webinar Recording and Follow-Up Materials  January 23, 2024   Webinar Description According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the college years are a time when students may experiment with drugs for the first time. This is why college is the ideal setting for innovative, campus-wide programming aimed at preventing and reducing drug use among college students. This session will include an overview of current drug use rates among college students; the DEA’s updated strategic planning guide for preventing drug misuse among college students; successes and challenges experienced by colleges and universities applying the Strategic Prevention Framework to their efforts; seven keys to a successful prevention program; and DEA's resources for professionals working to prevent drug misuse among college students.     Webinar Objectives By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Discuss DEA's updated strategic planning guide to preventing drug misuse among college students Examine campus successes and challenges in applying the Strategic Prevention Framework to preventing drug use and misuse among college students Find DEA’s resources for professionals working to prevent drug misuse among college students   Webinar Recording and Slides Preventing Drug Misuse among College Students Recording Preventing Drug Misuse among College Students Slide Deck (PDF) Preventing Drug Misuse among College Students Planning Guide   Presenters Rich Lucey has more than three decades of experience at the state and federal government levels working to prevent alcohol and drug use and misuse among youth and young adults, especially college students. He currently serves as a senior prevention program manager in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Community Outreach and Prevention Support Section. Rich plans and executes educational and public information programs, evaluates program goals and outcomes, and serves as an advisor to the Section Chief and other DEA officials on drug misuse prevention and education programs. Rich formerly served as special assistant to the director for the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, and worked as an education program specialist in the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools. Erin Ficker, MPAff, CPRS, is an expert in substance misuse prevention, an accomplished training and technical assistance (T/TA) provider and a certified senior prevention specialist. She brings extensive expertise in supporting, designing, and delivering engaging professional learning, and providing comprehensive T/TA for states and community level prevention professionals. For over 18 years, she has built the capacity of clients to perform prevention work effectively using the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF). She has in-depth knowledge and training experience in the SPF process, including specific work in evaluation, sustainability, assessment, and working with diverse populations. Erin currently serves as a regional director in SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center (SPTAC) working to provide training and technical assistance to SAMHSA state and community grantees across HHS Regions 5 and 8. She also serves as a prevention manager for the Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) providing services to a wide range of prevention and behavioral health specialists. Erin holds an MPA in Domestic and Social Policy from the University of Texas-Austin and a BA in Sociology from The Evergreen State College. She also holds a certification as a Senior Prevention Specialist through the Illinois Certification Board. Peggy Glider, PhD., has recently retired from the University of Arizona where she served as the Coordinator of Evaluation and Research for the Campus Health Service for 30 years. She has served as Principal Investigator, Project Director and/or Evaluator on multiple federal and state research demonstration grants in the alcohol, other drug, violence and mental health arenas within higher education. Dr. Glider and her team worked to increase evaluation capacity within Campus Health as well as with campus partners to ensure appropriate data was collected and utilized to improve programming and services for students. She has also served as the statewide evaluator for the Arizona Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF)-Partnership for Success (PFS) grant. Under this grant, she trained each of the 12 subgrantees across the state in the SPF. She has presented many workshops and presentations at national meetings, focusing on program evaluation, often using the SPF as a guiding tool. Dr. Glider earned three degrees at the University of Arizona: a Doctor of Philosophy, a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.   Questions   Contact Britany Wiele ([email protected]) if you have additional questions about the content related to this webinar.

  This 90-minute webinar will explore changes in drug use trends in the Great Lakes region and how prevention professionals can integrate the new and evolving data into their existing prevention work. The most up-to-date information on trends in alcohol, cannabis, opioid, and other drug use in the Great Lakes region will be presented. Additionally, we will discuss how these changes may impact everything from the existing priorities, strategies, data needs, and partnerships.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe changes in current substance use patterns and behavior. Describe how priority risk and protective factors may shift due to changing drug trends. Recognize the impact of shifting use and consumption patterns on prevention strategies and partnerships. Explain the importance of incorporating emerging drug trend into ongoing strategic planning.     PRESENTERS:  Josh Esrick, MPPP Josh Esrick 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 (TTA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of TTA 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 TTA, 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.   Erin Ficker, MPAff, CSPS Erin Ficker serves as a prevention manager for the Great Lakes PTTC. For more than 16 years, Erin has worked in substance abuse prevention supporting communities to use evidence-based strategies and data-driven processes in substance abuse prevention planning and implementation.  She works with community level prevention practitioners and schools in the development, implementation, evaluation, and sustainability of prevention interventions.     The Great Lakes A/MH/PTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

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

Dr. Monty Burks Deputy, Director of the Governor's Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives, where his role is engaging and connecting Tennessee’s faith communities to government and other non-profits with the goal of creating partnerships. In this episode we explore Building Blocks – Faith, Prevention, Recovery and the different intersection points between traditional and non-traditional behavioral health communities. Connect with our guest. Email: [email protected] Web site: www.tn.gov   (search faith based) The funder of this project, along with all other products of the Mid-America PTTC is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although funded by SAMHSA, the content of this recording does not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA. Since 1993, SAMHSA has actively engaged and supported faith-based and community organizations involved in mental health services and substance use prevention and treatment. Their Community Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership Program includes more than 800 faith-based community partners. To learn more about programs and practices available, including funding opportunities visit: https://www.samhsa.gov/faith-based-community-engagement Faith and community leaders are often the first point of contact when individuals and families face mental health problems or traumatic events. In fact, in times of crisis, many will turn to trusted leaders in their communities before they turn to mental health professionals. Religious and other community organizations can play an important role in supporting individuals living with mental illnesses and encouraging them to seek help. To learn more about the role of Faith and Community leaders in mental health visit:  https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/how-to-talk/community-and-faith-leaders

The Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center is excited to announce the 30th 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!   

3-Part Webinar Series: An Update on Adolescent Vaping Prevention: Prevalence, Adverse Behavioral Health Effects, and Prevention Practices Series Information    Part 1: Adolescent Vaping: Prevalence, Why, and What? February 13, 2024   Presented by: Jason Burrow-Sanchez, Ph.D., Professor, Region 8 PTTC Director, University of Utah   The presenter will review current adolescent prevalence for vaping, what they are vaping, and potential reasons why they are vaping. Presentation will also include relevant information on risk/protective factors and adolescent brain development in the context of vaping.   After this webinar, participants will be able to: Identify current prevalence rates for adolescent vaping Learn what adolescents are currently vaping such as nicotine, cannabis, and popular flavors Identify potential reasons adolescents are vaping based on the research literature   Webinar Resource: PowerPoint slides LINK Webinar Recording LINK   

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

The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The February 2024 issue features content from the Great Lakes ATTC celebrating Black History Month, including our upcoming 2024 Black History Month Panel Presentation. It also features a new educational brief on health equity in crisis systems, upcoming prevention trainings on drug trends in the region, and updates to the Classroom WISE curriculum for 2024. As always, you will also find links to all upcoming events and trainings hosted by the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC!   Make sure you're subscribed to our email contact list so you never miss a month of The Great Lakes Current newsletter, and thank you for reading!

The Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center is excited to announce the 29th 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!   

Advancing Health Equity through the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF): A Lunch & Learn Series   The Southeast & Central East PTTCs are pleased to present this week-long Lunch & Learn Series in collaboration with the Southeast Regional SPTAC Team. This interactive webinar series offers new and experienced prevention professionals an opportunity to explore comprehensive prevention planning with a Health Equity lens. Sessions include dynamic breakout room discussions, resource sharing, and networking opportunities between prevention professionals from regions 3 and 4.   Supplemental Resources: SPF and Health Equity: Lunch & Learn Series Workbook   Learning Objectives: Describe the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and its key components Explain the importance incorporating health equity into the SPF process Identify strategies for assessing community needs and health disparities Develop a plan to build capacity for implementing the SPF with a focus on health equity Apply the SPF to develop and implement a comprehensive prevention plan that addresses health disparities Evaluate the effectiveness of prevention efforts and their impact on health equity Identify strategies for sustaining prevention efforts that prioritize health equity   Presenter: Nicole M Augustine, MPH, MCHES, PS Region 3 and 4 SPTAC Director   Watch Sessions On-Demand Session 1 – Assessment & Health Equity Download Session 1 Presentation Slides This session provided an overview of the SPF and its key components, with a particular focus on the assessment phase. Participants learned how to conduct a community needs assessment that identifies health disparities and inequities that need to be addressed in prevention planning.   Session 2 – Capacity & Health Equity Download Session 2 Presentation Slides In this session, participants learned how to build capacity for implementing the SPF with a focus on health equity. Topics covered included developing partnerships, engaging diverse stakeholders, and building a culture of health equity within organizations.   Session 3 – Planning & Health Equity Download Session 3 Presentation Slides This session focused on the planning phase of the SPF and how to incorporate health equity considerations into prevention planning. Participants learned how to prioritize prevention strategies that address health disparities and involve diverse communities in prevention planning.   Session 4 – Implementation & Health Equity Download Session 4 Presentation Slides In this session, participants will learn how to implement prevention strategies that prioritize health equity. Topics covered will include adapting evidence-based interventions to meet the needs of diverse communities, addressing social determinants of health, and building community capacity for prevention. Session 5 – Evaluation and Health Equity Download Session 5 Presentation Slides This session will cover the evaluation phase of the SPF and how to assess the impact of prevention efforts on health equity. Participants will also learn how to assess the cultural appropriateness of evaluation tools, use data to monitor progress, evaluate outcomes, and adjust prevention efforts as needed.

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features our latest product a harm reduction guide for prevention professionals, prevention success videos, resources for awareness campaigns for the month of February, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

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.

Kurt Larson has been representing personal injury clients as a Missouri lawyer for more than 20 years. He graduated in the top of his class from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1992, and thereafter spent the summer working with trial attorneys at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D. C. Prior to law school, Kurt graduated from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, receiving a BA in English, with distinction. One of Kurts greatest projects is founding Safe and Sober Prom Night in 2004 in Springfield, Missouri. The program has evolved from an impaired-driving focus to preventing substance misuse in all its forms. The program today is simply known as Safe and Sober and has reached over 1 million students in 41 states, and schools as far away as Kiev, Ukraine and Queensland, Australia have downloaded their content. Safe and Sober provides an innovative way to combat substance misuse through a free program which features prevention-focused videos and curriculum that are used by schools, homeschool groups, and community organizations. Safe and Sober uses engaging and educational content, to encourage dialogue and preventative action between youth, educators, and parents. To Learn more visit www.safeandsober.org https://www.facebook.com/SafeandSoberOrg https://www.instagram.com/safeandsoberorg/ The funder of this project, along with all other products of the Mid-America PTTC is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although funded by SAMHSA, the content of this recording does not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA. Know the facts, about 1 in 4 teen car crashes involves an underage drinking driver. Talk with teens about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Impaired driving is entirely preventable. A link to a SAMHSA resource that gives tips for talking to kids about drunk and drug-impaired driving is available here - https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources/impaired-driving

COURSE DESCRIPTION This workshop explores the intricate web of social determinants of health and their profound impact on substance misuse. Designed for prevention professionals, this session unravels the complex connections between social determinants and substance misuse while providing actionable strategies for addressing these issues at the community level.  Select the View Resource button above to watch the recording and link to the PowerPoint below. PowerPoint   PRESENTER Ben Stevenson II currently serves as the Prevention and Harm Reduction Manager for Montgomery County, MD. He is a seasoned prevention professional who has been in the substance abuse prevention field for over 15 years working with thousands of youth, professionals, and parents in various communities across the country.    Prior to his current role, Ben has served as Training Manager with CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) as well as served as a Training and Technical Assistance Associate with the SAMHSA’s CAPT (Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies) with the Southeast Resource Team working directly with states providing training and technical assistance. He has worked in various capacities across the continuum of care throughout his career working in treatment and recovery in addition to his prevention work.  Ben enjoys developing and facilitating prevention programs for youth and adults. He is very passionate about prevention and its ability to impact communities by promoting healthy lifestyles.    Ben is originally from Winston-Salem, NC and graduated from North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC with a BA in Political Science and minor in History. He also holds a MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. Ben was first certified in prevention as a Substance Abuse Prevention Consultant in North Carolina and currently is a Certified Prevention Professional in Maryland. He previously served as the western region representative for MAPPA which is the Maryland Association for Prevention Professionals and Advocates.       

Stigma and Bias in Behavioral Health Laura Hinds, MSW, LCSW January 31, 2024, 1:00pm-3:00pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION Racial and use bias has been demonstrated in the research related to Behavioral Health and Medically Assisted Therapy. The conclusion that has been drawn is that even well-meaning providers and staff hold biases that impact how and to whom they offer care and medicinal support for Substance Use Disorder (SUD). This lecture explores this research and supports participants in reflecting on, identifying, and mitigating this reality so as to offer equitable respect and support for everyone living with SUD. A LEARNING OBJECTIVES List the ways in which bias affects Behavioral Health Treatment and intervention for people living with Substance Use Disorder. Define the difference between implicit and explicit bias, and how to identify them. Recite at least three ways to identify and address their implicit bias in relation to their work in Behavioral Health. PRESENTERS Laura Hinds, MSW, LCSW, is a clinical social worker with experience in medical, behavioral and mental health settings.  Laura has had the pleasure of working with high acuity special needs populations and their providers for over 22 years.  An alumna and instructor at Penn’s School of Social Policy and Practice for 13 years, and Bryn Mawr’s School of Social Work and Social Research’s for the past 4 years, Laura has supported the learning and education of new social workers, veterans in the field, and their interdisciplinary partners.  With a focus on trauma, human and gender development, racial equity, and crisis intervention Laura supports special needs populations and those who serve them.  

The Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center is excited to announce the 28th 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!   

Promoting Prevention by Understanding the Who, What, and Why of Psychostimulant Use   The rise of psychostimulant use over the past several years has contributed to significant negative consequences in mental health, medical, and social outcomes among communities. These outcomes are further exacerbated by the structural and systemic drivers of social determinants of health. Addressing stimulant use disorder must take into consideration the interaction of these factors in a comprehensive, public health approach to treatment. Ultimately, prevention efforts may be enhanced through understanding of the specific nuances of stimulant users and their particular vulnerabilities. Thank you to the Opioid Response Network for their collaboration on this webinar.   Supplemental Resources: Presentation Slides   Learning Objectives: Summarize the types of psychostimulants, common routes of use, and epidemiology of stimulant users. Describe the intersection of social determinants of mental health with stimulant use in the creation of health disparities among vulnerable populations. Identify outreach strategies for engaging communities and promoting prevention efforts among stimulant users.   Presenter: Dr. Daryl Shorter is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is Board Certified in both General and Addiction Psychiatry. A graduate of Rice University (BA Sociology) and Baylor College of Medicine (MD), Dr. Shorter completed General Psychiatry residency at The Ohio State University Medical Center and Addiction Psychiatry fellowship at New York University/Langone Medical Center. Dr. Shorter is an Associate Professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. He also serves as the Medical Director of Addictions and Recovery Services at the Menninger Clinic as well as the Program Director of the BCM Addiction Psychiatry fellowship. Dr. Shorter is the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters focusing on medication treatment of substance use disorders and addictions training in graduate medical education. Along with former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf, Dr. Shorter is the co-host of The Recovery Playbook, a video podcast which tackles current issues in addictions treatment, breaks down the science behind addiction medicine, and challenges stigma. In addition to his work at Menninger, Dr. Shorter is the psychiatrist of record at The Montrose Center, Houston’s LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health and Community Center, where he supervises Addiction Psychiatry fellows who provide mental health and substance use disorder treatment services. He speaks widely, both in person and virtually, on topics related to mental health, the LGBTQ+ community, and addictions treatment. His monthly column in the Outsmart Magazine is widely read and serves as a platform to discuss the promotion of mental well-being among members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center is excited to announce the 27th 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!   

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.  

This one-page brief highlights some of the resources individuals can access to help them study for the IC&RC Prevention Certification exam. To learn more about the prevention certification requirements for your own state, visit the PTTC's Prevention Specialist Certification Requirements page.    

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

Syndemic Solutions Josh Esrick, MPP, Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip, and Olivia Stuart, LMSW January 18, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION The term “syndemics” describes the relationship between two or more epidemics which often cluster together (e.g., substance misuse and HIV) and have shared social and environmental drivers. When these epidemics interact, they mutually exacerbate the negative effects of each condition, thereby worsening health outcomes. The syndemics framework recognizes the importance of addressing these interactions and seeks to implement a whole-person, integrated model of prevention and care in collaboration with other health care providers. These services focus on equity by putting people first and providing the services that people express interest in receiving. It also seeks to address shared population-level risk and protective factors that influence the co-occurring epidemics that can lead to health inequities. While the concepts of co-occurring epidemics and social determinants driving health outcomes are not new to the field of prevention, syndemics is an emerging framework that many prevention practitioners may be unfamiliar with. This 90-minute webinar will provide participants with an overview of the syndemics framework and its growing use in the field of prevention. It will explain the relationship between the syndemics framework and a public health approach to prevention, the importance of leveraging policy as a public health tool to address syndemic risk factors, and how to build collaborative partnerships between prevention professionals and other health-focused entities to better address syndemics. It will also review the importance of the social determinants of health to syndemics and recommend strategies to support the prevention workforce in improving health outcomes. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Define the concept of the syndemics framework and provide examples of different syndemics Explain how the syndemics framework is interrelated with a public health approach to prevention and the social determinants of health Describe how partnerships and collaboration can help prevention professionals adopt the syndemics framework Identify opportunities for prevention professionals to address syndemics PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (T/TA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of T/TA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to T/TA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.   Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip holds a Masters of Science in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a Postgraduate Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh. She offers significant professional experience in the fields of public policy development and analysis, criminal justice research, data collection and analysis, program development, and performance management.     Olivia Stuart, MSW  supports the training & technical assistance (T/TA) team in the development and delivery of knowledge translation products across multiple projects. In this capacity, she assists with webinars, literature reviews, and infographics on a range of behavioral health topics. Prior to joining Carnevale Associates, Olivia interned with the Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center where she supported projects to reduce inequities in the criminal justice system. Olivia also served as a Graduate Research Supervisor at George Mason University and worked for several years in LGBTQ+ advocacy and fundraising. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from George Mason University.  

In this Issue:   The 10 "Do's and Don't's" of Successful Legislative Advocacy Happy New Year! Epi Corner: The Ins and Outs of Advocating for Policy Change What's Happening Around the Region? All New Training Events, Online Training, and a Data Video Series What's New at SAMHSA?