Training and Events Calendar

Note: there is an attendance limit for this event. During this training preventionists will be called to shift their approach in response to the changing cannabis policy and industry landscape. Cannabis marketing trends have moved far beyond selling a “high” to promoting a lifestyle. The times have changed, and so must our conversations in the community. This session will highlight prevention strategies applicable to a variety of HHS Region 2 regulatory frameworks and help to build confidence and skills for more effective conversations about cannabis. Learning Objectives After the session participants will be able to: Describe the current cannabis landscape and industry marketing trends. Identify prevention strategies for a variety of cannabis regulatory frameworks. Formulate messages that resonate with a range of audiences. Formulate content from available tools and resources for the prevention field. Certificates: Registrants who fully attend this event or training will receive a certificate of attendance via email within two weeks after the event or training. Presented by: Jamie Comstock & Robin Carr @ Info Inspired, LLC

A major focus in behavioral health care is the reduction of stigma to help bridge the gap in access to quality care for marginalized communities. Supportive and motivating language is essential for engaging persons in care who are already burdened with dealing with the challenges that come from substance use disorders, mental illness, physical disabilities and more. This interactive webinar will provide a review and practice skills on the use of person-first language (aligns with person-centered care), as an effective means of enhancing the provider-client communication and reducing bias perspectives with racial and ethnic populations, persons with disabilities and other underserved communities. Trainer: Diana Padilla, MCPC, CARC, CASAC-T has worked in the behavioral health field for more than 25 years. Using a culturally informed and inclusive recovery-oriented perspective, Ms. Padilla instructs on how to enhance strategies and interventions to best meet the substance use and related needs of communities of color, LGBTQ+ people, and other traditionally underserved populations. She is also an SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment) Technical Assistance and Implementation Specialist, helping agencies to build their capacity to effectively intervene with communities at risk of substance use and mental health related conditions and behaviors. Credits: This training meets the requirements for two renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and two initial hours (CPP, CPS) through New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS). As an IC & RC member board, OASAS accredited courses are granted reciprocal approval by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee. Many other states offer reciprocity, please check with your accrediting agency.

In this peer sharing session, a series of guided questions will be used to facilitate a discussion about how to increase retention of substance misuse prevention specialists with the goal of developing strategies to attract and keep a diverse, vibrant, strong and experienced workforce. This session is appropriate for the continuum of prevention professionals, ranging from new staff to seasoned supervisors. The discussion is designed to uncover the needs of new employees in the field and strategies employed by experienced (and successful) supervisors - with the goal of supporting all in the substance misuse prevention workforce. After the event, the notes collected throughout the session will be shared out as a resource. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe needs, values, and common concerns of prevention specialists in today’s workforce. Identify strategies to attract, support, and encourage high-performing employees and teams. Add recruitment and retention strategies to your toolbox that align with your organization’s current structure, culture, and constraints. Presented by: Jamie Comstock & Robin Carr @ Info Inspired, LLC

With decades of research behind us, prevention practitioners know it is possible to prevent youth from using substances. Yet, the community attitude that youth substance misuse is inevitable – a rite of passage – is still pervasive and sends youth a message of permissiveness and acceptability, which contributes to youth use.  In addition, attitudes still exist that stigmatize and shame people who are addicted to substances despite decades of addiction research identifying substance use disorder (SUD) as a compulsive brain disorder.  This can prevent people from accessing harm reduction and treatment services when needed. Join us for this interactive webinar that will examine the community attitudes that reinforce these societal norms.  Participants will explore how to use language to mobilize community participation in substance misuse prevention and reduce stigma, as well as methods that work to correct community misperceptions about substance misuse. Learning Objectives: As a result of this training, participants will be able to: Describe community attitudes that promote youth substance misuse and prevent access to harm reduction and addiction resources. Identify language that mobilizes community participation in youth substance misuse prevention and stigma reduction. Correct community misperceptions utilizing valid research that demonstrates youth substance misuse is not inevitable and addiction is not a choice, but a brain disorder. Certificates: Registrants who fully attend this event or training will receive a certificate of attendance via email within two weeks after the event or training. Presenter bio: Tracy Desovich, Tracy Desovich, MPH, CPS - Tracy has over 30 years of experience in substance abuse prevention and public health. Her experience includes developing, implementing, and evaluating prevention services for students at the University of Connecticut and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her expertise includes community health assessment, planning, organizing and evaluation, leadership development, utilizing data to mobilize change, social norms marketing and healthy communities’ principles.