Past Events

How we as prevention professionals communicate our prevention messages to our intended audience is key to our success in reaching sustainable long term substance abuse prevention outcomes.  While we have many tools at our disposal, harnessing the power of these tools to convey our prevention message and inspiring our audience to see their place at the table is how we know that our communication strategy is effective.   During this two-part series, we will: Review communication goals in prevention and dig into the “who” and the “what” as it relates to promoting our prevention message(s) Explore best practices for creating slides, handouts, and newsletters to support prevention efforts Identify practices that help persuade our target audience to engage in our initiative and take action Session 1 will review best practices to engage audiences in prevention efforts. Participants will have an opportunity to hear from communications and instructional design practitioners as they share reflections and best practices, answer questions and share experiences. Attending both sessions is encouraged but not required.  

Date: May 10, 2023 Time: 1:00 PM—2:30 PM ET Format: Webinar Cost: FREE Contact Hours: 1.25 (Certificate of Attendance) Target Audience: Prevention Professionals   COURSE DESCRIPTION   This webinar will address the importance of education of opioid effects among high school students. We will examine how this lack of awareness of youth is impacted by systemic issues, and can cause misuse of the drug. This webinar will also discuss the effects and statistics of opioid use, as well as strategies for minimizing these inconsistencies faced by different communities.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Identify the challenges and opportunities the opioid epidemic has caused. Discuss the need for more education and awareness among high school students. Explain why early education is important and how it can lead to prevention.   PRESENTER   Nikita Danthi is an intern at the PTTC, and has been interning since January. She is a Psychology and Public Health dual degree on the population health track. She is also pursuing a Sociology minor, and will be graduating in May 2023.           *CONTACT HOUR ELIGIBILITY In order to be eligible for the 1.25 contact hours/certificate of attendance, you must join the live webinar in the Zoom platform. Certificates must be requested within one week of the event and will be processed within 30 days. If you are having issues accessing the room/application at the time of the event: Please email [email protected] at the start of the webinar so that we can assist you.   ACCOMMODATIONS If you are in need of any special accommodations, please notify the Central East PTTC Webinar Team three weeks in advance of the event, or as soon as possible, by emailing [email protected].

Prevention Ethics An Enhanced Prevention Learning Series   Series Overview This two-week, four-session series offers an interactive experience that explores the six principles of the Prevention Code of Ethics using realistic examples designed to strengthen participants’ abilities to manage challenging situations in their work. The learning series is structured to provide online consultation, skill-based learning and practice, group and individual activities, reading assignments, and discussion on topics essential to the application of an ethical decision-making process. By the end of this learning series, participants will have: Defined ethics and related terms Described the six principles in the Prevention Code of Ethics Practiced using an ethical decision-making process to apply the Prevention Code of Ethics   Audience Prevention practitioners, coalition coordinators, and allied partners working to prevent substance misuse in communities and tribes located in Northwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center HHS Region 10: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Prevention professionals interested in this course but who work outside of Region 10 are encouraged to contact their region’s PTTC to learn what opportunities for similar courses are available to them.   Session Dates and Time May 9, 11,16, and 18, 2023 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Alaska 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Pacific 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Mountain (View in your time zone here)   Facilitator Christina López-Gutiérrez has extensive experience in evidence-based substance misuse prevention practices at the local, state, and bi-national levels. Her career began in the late 1990s, implementing “model” curricula in communities and evolved to providing Training and Technical Assistance to community-based coalitions, single state agencies, Promotores and Community Health Workers. Ms. López-Gutiérrez has been part of various training teams to include the U.S.-Mexico Border states and sister cities in Mexico with the delivery of the Strategic Prevention Framework in Spanish. More recently, Ms. López-Gutiérrez has participated in a state-wide evaluation team to support grantees aiming to decrease Prescription Misuse and Underage drinking.     Participant Commitments and Expectations View a 20-minute video tutorial on Zoom if unfamiliar with the technology prior to the first session on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Attend each of the four (1.5-hour) sessions in series Complete up to an hour of independent learning activities between each session. Use a web-camera and have appropriate technology to join the online videoconferencing platform (i.e., internet connection, built-in or USB webcam, laptop/tablet, built-in/USB/Bluetooth speakers & microphone). Actively engage and be on camera 90% of the time during each session since this is not a webinar series, and active participation is essential to gain/improve skills.   Continuing Education Up to 9 hours of continuing education hours can be earned in this series. Participants who complete the entire course will receive a certificate of attendance for 9 hours. No partial credit is given for this course. Participants will need to confirm with their certification board to determine if these certification hours are accepted towards their specific certification requirements.   Registration Details Register for Prevention Ethics Due to limited enrollment, if you cannot commit to the full participant requirements, please defer this registration opportunity to others Space is limited. Enroll now!   Cost is Free!   Questions?  Contact Holly Simak at [email protected] for any questions or difficulty in registration. 

Date: May 9, 2023 Time: 1:00 PM—2:30 PM ET Format: Webinar Cost: FREE Contact Hours: 1.25 (Certificate of Attendance) Target Audience: Prevention Professionals, Community Members SERIES DESCRIPTION Stigma refers to a wide range of negative attitudes, values, and actions towards another group of people. It can frequently occur in behavioral health settings and often against people who use or are at-risk of using substances. Stigma can significantly decrease the likelihood that people will seek services and significantly increase the likelihood of worsening health outcomes. This two-part webinar series will examine stigma through the lens of substance use prevention and experiences on the road to recovery: what it is, how it can manifest, and what prevention stakeholders can do to address it. The webinar will present both the latest research findings and the lessons learned from lived experience.   COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will provide a broad overview of stigma and the importance of addressing it through what the research says and what is known through lived experience. The webinar will define stigma and explain how it can manifest in various substance use prevention settings and on the road to recovery. It will address the similarities and differences between public, self, and institutional-stigma and the role of both intentional and inadvertent stigma. The webinar will also discuss how stigma impacts substance use prevention outcomes and people’s ability to recovery. Additionally, it will explain why prevention professionals, other stakeholders, and the community-at-large need to address stigma. The webinar will also include a facilitated small group discussion opportunity for participants to share their experiences finding and addressing stigma.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Define stigma conceptually and from a recovered person’s perspective Identify the various forms of stigma and their effects on our ability to recover Recognize the impact of stigma on prevention outcomes Describe stigma’s ongoing impact on the road to recovery   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 (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.     Demetrie Garner, CPRS, as a Peer Recovery Specialist, has been presented with the unique opportunity of working in the largest Emergency Department in the state of Maryland. 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. Having the experience in active addiction abusing opiates, cocaine, and alcohol for 26 years with countless relapses fostered the experience 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 in 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. After 21 years since Demetrie decided to drop out of high school in the 11th grade, education seemed to become more important to obtain. If he wants to help individuals who look like himself and suffer from trauma and active addiction, then higher education has to be pursued. While at the University of Maryland at Baltimore County, currently a sophomore, Demetrie’s interest in studies is in the social science of public health. Future involvement with research is being pursued with patients that have wait times in emergency rooms with substance use disorders. Previous research this past semester has examined minorities  hesitancy to receive Covid vaccinations. Demetrie is currently a Pre-McNair Scholar with ambitions to attend UMBC School of Public Policy M.P.P Program Spring of 2022.   *CONTACT HOUR ELIGIBILITY In order to be eligible for the 1.25 contact hours/certificate of attendance, you must join the live webinar in the Zoom platform. Certificates must be requested within one week of the event and will be processed within 30 days. If you are having issues accessing the room/application at the time of the event: Please email [email protected] at the start of the webinar so that we can assist you.   ACCOMMODATIONS If you are in need of any special accommodations, please notify the Central East PTTC Webinar Team three weeks in advance of the event, or as soon as possible, by emailing [email protected].

SESSION DESCRIPTION – BUILDING A CULTURE OF WORKPLACE WELLNESS & ENGAGEMENT TO SUPPPORT RHRP: Participants in this session will learn: Key terms that influence work performance such as burnout, compassion fatigue and secondary trauma How to identify and analyze factors that contribute to burnout How to identify ways to increase wellness including building psychological safety at workplace     TRAINING SCHEDULE: All sessions in this series will take place virtually from 3:00 PM–4:00 PM CT / 4:00 PM–5:00 PM ET. Please visit the RHRP series landing page for more information and registration for all sessions in this series.      CONTINUING EDUCATION: Those who fully attend all 13 hours of the RHRP series will be eligible to receive a total of 13 NAADAC continuing education (CE) hours. NAADAC CE certificates will be sent to qualifying participants via email within 1-2 weeks after the conclusion of the training. Participants who fully attend each of the 5 foundational sessions of the RHRP series will be eligible to receive 1 NAADAC CE hour per session. (Sessions: April 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18) Participants who fully attend all 5 sessions of the RHRP Change Leader Academy will be eligible to receive 5 NAADAC CE hours. No partial credit will be awarded. (Sessions: June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) Participants who fully attend all 10 sessions of the RHRP series will be offered the opportunity to participate in an additional 3 hours of free one-on-one organizational coaching with Mat Roosa that will be tailored to your team and/or agency. Those who participate in these virtual coaching sessions will be eligible to receive 3 NAADAC CE hours. No partial credit will be awarded.     PRESENTER: Isa Velez Echevarria, PsyD Isa Vélez is a Puerto Rican clinical psychologist. She is the Ohio State Project Manager for the Great Lakes Addiction, Mental Health, and Prevention Technology Transfer Centers managed by the Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During her pre-doctoral internship at Children’s Institute in Los Angeles, CA, she obtained a certification as Interpersonal Psychotherapy Clinician. She was trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Therapy. In addition, she provides telehealth services to culturally diverse population in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico. Her clinical work has focused on culturally tailored and trauma-informed services to the Latinx community and other ethnic/racial minorities.     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.

DESCRIPTION: This is the fifth of six highly interactive sessions focused on taking a deep dive into principles of the Substance Misuse Prevention Code of Ethics. The focus of this session will be on the principle of Nature of Services, Sections E-H. After a short presentation on Section E through H of this principle, participants will work together in small groups to look at how this principle can be applied to real-life situations using the Ethical Decision-Making Process.   Important Note: This prevention ethics series is for substance misuse prevention practitioners that have already completed an Ethics in Prevention Foundations training. If you would like to attend this series but have not yet completed the prevention ethics foundation course, please complete the free, self-paced, online prevention ethics course on HealtheKnowledge before attending this ethics series.   For more information and registration links for the entire series click here.      LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe the principle of Nature of Services from the Prevention Code of Ethics Apply the Ethical Decision-Making Process to the Nature of Services principle       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:  Tyiesha Trina Tyiesha (Ty) Trina is a BOLD (Building Our Leadership and Diversity) Fellow for Great Lakes PTTC. She obtained a B.S. in Public Health with an emphasis on health promotion from Northern Illinois University. Within her current position, she'll be working with various stakeholders and community members to help increase protective factors and reduce risk factors for substance misuse within the Chicagoland area.     The Great Lakes 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.

This series provides a broad and basic overview of youth development, with a focus on adolescence. Also, research- and clinical-based strategies and approaches regarding prevention, treatment, and recovery will be addressed.

SESSION DESCRIPTION – CREATING INCLUSIVE ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT RHRP: Session 2 will teach strategies for creating an inclusive organization on the micro and macro levels. Participants will be provided with examples of inclusive work cultures, evidence-based best practices for making DEI-focused organizational changes, and how to maintain an inclusive professional environment on a long-term scale.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: This session will emphasize: Strategies to help staff feel included, valued, and appreciated How to address microaggressions, micro-insults, and micro-invalidations Understanding three characteristics of an inclusive organization Understanding seven key strategies for creating an inclusive organization How to create an inclusion committee     TRAINING SCHEDULE: All sessions in this series will take place virtually from 3:00 PM–4:00 PM CT / 4:00 PM–5:00 PM ET. Please visit the RHRP series landing page for more information and registration for all sessions in this series.      CONTINUING EDUCATION: Those who fully attend all 13 hours of the RHRP series will be eligible to receive a total of 13 NAADAC continuing education (CE) hours. NAADAC CE certificates will be sent to qualifying participants via email within 1-2 weeks after the conclusion of the training. Participants who fully attend each of the 5 foundational sessions of the RHRP series will be eligible to receive 1 NAADAC CE hour per session. (Sessions: April 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18) Participants who fully attend all 5 sessions of the RHRP Change Leader Academy will be eligible to receive 5 NAADAC CE hours. No partial credit will be awarded. (Sessions: June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) Participants who fully attend all 10 sessions of the RHRP series will be offered the opportunity to participate in an additional 3 hours of free one-on-one organizational coaching with Mat Roosa that will be tailored to your team and/or agency. Those who participate in these virtual coaching sessions will be eligible to receive 3 NAADAC CE hours. No partial credit will be awarded.     PRESENTER:   Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC, is the Illinois State Project Manager for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC and PTTC. Mark has worked for 40 years as a social worker, educator, and part of the SUD workforce. He is founder of the Online Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment and Recovery and co-founder of Serenity Academy of Chicago, the only recovery-oriented high school in Illinois. Mark is also an international speaker, trainer, and consultant in the behavioral health field whose work has reached thousands throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, and the British Islands.  Recently, Mark Sanders was named as the 2021 recipient of the NAADAC Enlightenment Award in recognition of his outstanding work and contributions to NAADAC, the field of SUD services, and SUD professionals. He is also the recipient of the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health’s 2021 Lawrence Goodman Friend of the Fieldaward in honor of the many years of dedicated service Mark has provided to communities throughout his home state of Illinois.     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.

Date: April 27, 2023 Time: 1:00 PM—2:30 PM ET Format: Webinar Cost: FREE Contact Hours: 1.25 (Certificate of Attendance) Target Audience: Prevention Professionals SERIES DESCRIPTION Underage alcohol use remains an ongoing challenge facing prevention professionals. Use rates have generally been in decline for many years; however, alcohol continues to be the most used substance among adolescents. The full extent that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on underage alcohol use remains unclear. However, it is known that the pandemic accelerated the social and behavioral conditions that make use more likely to occur. This two-part webinar series will provide an overview of the current state of underage drinking and related prevention efforts. Part 1 will share data and discuss relevant issues surrounding underage alcohol use, while Part 2 will provide information on evidence-based practices for preventing underage alcohol use.   COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will discuss evidence-based prevention strategies for addressing underage alcohol use. It will cover both environmental and behavioral interventions, as well as opportunities to implement or expand policies and address the social determinants of health. The webinar will review both general strategies and those specifically focused on early adolescents or college-age youth. Lastly, it will provide an overview of Federal underage alcohol prevention efforts.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Recognize the importance of providing evidence-based alcohol misuse prevention strategies Describe evidence-based environmental strategies for preventing underage alcohol use Describe evidence-based behavioral strategies for preventing underage alcohol use among younger adolescents and college-age youth Identify Federal prevention efforts to address underage alcohol use   PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (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.     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.       *CONTACT HOUR ELIGIBILITY In order to be eligible for the 1.25 contact hours/certificate of attendance, you must join the live webinar in the Zoom platform. Certificates must be requested within one week of the event and will be processed within 30 days. If you are having issues accessing the room/application at the time of the event: Please email [email protected] at the start of the webinar so that we can assist you.   ACCOMMODATIONS If you are in need of any special accommodations, please notify the Central East PTTC Webinar Team three weeks in advance of the event, or as soon as possible, by emailing [email protected].

DESCRIPTION: This one-hour webinar will provide an overview of Ripple Effects Mapping. Identifying the impacts of complicated community work is often challenging due to the time lag between the work and the ultimate affects to the clients. Ripple Effects Mapping (REM) gives you the ability to tell your stories of the direct and indirect impacts of your work, while being engaging and fun. It starts with storytelling in a group setting which leads to the mapping process. Stories build on each other while the facilitator maps the accomplishments, partnerships, and contributions. REM helps you capture and visualize the learning, actions and condition changes that happened as a result of a program, workshop series or event.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Introduce participants to the benefits of using Ripple Effects Mapping (REM) to identify the intended and unintended outcomes Demonstrate how REM captures impacts of complex or evolving work Show how it is useful when outcomes are difficult to conceptualize and measure with other methods     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.      PRESENTERS:  Rebecca Sero, PhD   Rebecca Sero is a research methodologist at a federal agency, where she works with teams to help select and implement methodologies that will effectively evaluate and analyze data in order to answer proposed research questions. Rebecca also helps conduct and train on “in-depth” Ripple Effects Mapping and is most often engaged with determining how to best analyze the rich data that is produced from REM evaluations. She received a PhD in Human Development from Purdue University and a MS in Family Studies from Miami University.    Debra Hansen, MEd  Debra Hansen is a professor and county Extension Director with Washington State University, focusing on community and economic development in rural Stevens County. Debra was one of the original architects of Ripple Effects Mapping, developed in 2008 to discover poverty reduction outcomes in individual communities that participated in the Washington’s Horizons Program. She continues to map programs and train others to use this engaging tool. Hansen has a master's degree in Adult Education from Penn State.     The Great Lakes 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.

Description The urgency of the opioid crisis that began in 2019 has not abated and fentanyl continues to fuel the overdose rates. More recently, an emerging trend has been identified. Yet another dangerous substance called Xylazine has been found more frequently in various illicit substances and is worsening outcomes for people who use opioids. This webinar is intended to provide the latest information available on Xylazine, including associated effects on the body and long-term impacts on opioid users, and review current organizational strategies to help prevent exacerbated and related harm. Trainer Diana Padilla, MCPC, CARC, CASAC-T, is a Research Project Manager at New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Medical Center. She is a senior staff trainer for the Northeast & Caribbean Addiction Transfer Technology Center Network (NeC-ATTC), and a member of the ASAP-NYCB Trainer Registry. As a cultural agent, Ms. Padilla promotes an equity lens in trainings for engaging diverse communities in need, aligning with evidence and strength-based strategies within behavioral health, addiction, prevention, and recovery supports fields and professional capacities. Credits This training meets the requirements for three renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and three 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.

COURSE DESCRIPTION Although many health and mental health disorders are potentially considered disabilities under education law, substance use disorder is not.  Students with disabilities are at higher risk of substance misuse. Therefore, it is important that preventionists have the appropriate knowledge and skills to equitably include students with emotional or behavioral problems when delivering prevention services in schools. During this webinar a school psychologist,  parent of a child with a disability, and well-seasoned preventionist will discuss the unique challenge of delivering substance misuse prevention services to students with disabilities and promising approaches to improve delivery.   During part one of this two-part series, we will discuss the current landscape of special education in public schools as it relates to substance misuse prevention and promising approaches to provide prevention services to students with disabilities.   PRESENTER Chuck Lester serves as Community Based Prevention Services Grants Manager for Oklahoma State University’s Community Wellness Programs. In this capacity, he works with local stakeholders to reduce the consequences of substance abuse across the region through the use of evidence-based, environmental strategies.  Previously Chuck served as the Region's Strategic Prevention Framework coordinator. Much of this work focused on reducing underage drinking in Payne County. As the Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Coordinator, he was responsible for recruiting, training and sustaining SWAT groups at local schools. These student groups sought to complete anti-tobacco advocacy campaigns such as getting their school to pass 24/7 tobacco-free policies. For the last 11 years, he has coordinated various grants that seek to solve local substance use and abuse problems through the use of the Strategic Prevention Framework model by empowering youth.    

COURSE DESCRIPTION Although many health and mental health disorders are potentially considered disabilities under education law, substance use disorder is not.  Students with disabilities are at higher risk of substance misuse. Therefore, it is important that preventionists have the appropriate knowledge and skills to equitably include students with emotional or behavioral problems when delivering prevention services in schools. During this webinar a school psychologist,  parent of a child with a disability, and well-seasoned preventionist will discuss the unique challenge of delivering substance misuse prevention services to students with disabilities and promising approaches to improve delivery.   During part one of this two-part series, we will discuss the current landscape of special education in public schools as it relates to substance misuse prevention and promising approaches to provide prevention services to students with disabilities.   PRESENTER Chuck Lester serves as Community Based Prevention Services Grants Manager for Oklahoma State University’s Community Wellness Programs. In this capacity, he works with local stakeholders to reduce the consequences of substance abuse across the region through the use of evidence-based, environmental strategies.  Previously Chuck served as the Region's Strategic Prevention Framework coordinator. Much of this work focused on reducing underage drinking in Payne County. As the Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Coordinator, he was responsible for recruiting, training and sustaining SWAT groups at local schools. These student groups sought to complete anti-tobacco advocacy campaigns such as getting their school to pass 24/7 tobacco-free policies. For the last 11 years, he has coordinated various grants that seek to solve local substance use and abuse problems through the use of the Strategic Prevention Framework model by empowering youth.    

Date: April 25, 2023 Time: 1:00 PM—2:30 PM ET Format: Webinar Cost: FREE Contact Hours: 1.25 (Certificate of Attendance) Target Audience: Prevention Professionals SERIES DESCRIPTION Underage alcohol use remains an ongoing challenge facing prevention professionals. Use rates have generally been in decline for many years; however, alcohol continues to be the most used substance among adolescents. The full extent that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on underage alcohol use remains unclear. However, it is known that the pandemic accelerated the social and behavioral conditions that make use more likely to occur. This two-part webinar series will provide an overview of the current state of underage drinking and related prevention efforts. Part 1 will share data and discuss relevant issues surrounding underage alcohol use, while Part 2 will provide information on evidence-based practices for preventing underage alcohol use.   COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will provide a broad overview of the current state of underage drinking and related prevention efforts. It will begin with a review of the most common data sources on underage alcohol consumption and discuss opportunities to improve and expand data collection. The webinar will then summarize the most recent data on alcohol use prevalence and patterns, as well as the consequences of use. It will also describe the research on risk and protective factors for use, including what is known about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lastly, it will provide information on how the social determinants of health play a role in underage alcohol use rates.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Describe underage alcohol data sources and available opportunities to expand data collection Explain the scope of underage alcohol use and consequences Identify risk and protective factors relevant to underage alcohol use Recognize the effect of the social determinants of health on underage alcohol use   PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (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.     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.       *CONTACT HOUR ELIGIBILITY In order to be eligible for the 1.25 contact hours/certificate of attendance, you must join the live webinar in the Zoom platform. Certificates must be requested within one week of the event and will be processed within 30 days. If you are having issues accessing the room/application at the time of the event: Please email [email protected] at the start of the webinar so that we can assist you.   ACCOMMODATIONS If you are in need of any special accommodations, please notify the Central East PTTC Webinar Team three weeks in advance of the event, or as soon as possible, by emailing [email protected].

SESSION DESCRIPTION – IMPLEMENTING CLAS STANDARDS FOR RECRUIT, HIRE, RETAIN, PROMOTE (RHRP) SERIES: The growing diversity of the US population requires providers become as adept as possible in delivering culturally and linguistically appropriate services. This interactive training will teach participants about the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards and why they are vital to improving care, reducing disparities, and advancing health equity, as well as how they can be implemented in your organization.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Discuss the rationale for culturally informed policy and practice in behavioral health work settings. Define health equity and its correlation to challenges in RHRP. Outline the benefits of integrating CLAS Standards to improve workforce development. Assess the role of a change leader in implementing the CLAS Standards. Identify strategies to help the behavioral health and prevention workforces achieve their full potential through CLAS.     TRAINING SCHEDULE: All sessions in this series will take place virtually from 3:00 PM–4:00 PM CT / 4:00 PM–5:00 PM ET. Please visit the RHRP series landing page for more information and registration for all sessions in this series.      CONTINUING EDUCATION: Those who fully attend all 13 hours of the RHRP series will be eligible to receive a total of 13 NAADAC continuing education (CE) hours. NAADAC CE certificates will be sent to qualifying participants via email within 1-2 weeks after the conclusion of the training. Participants who fully attend each of the 5 foundational sessions of the RHRP series will be eligible to receive 1 NAADAC CE hour per session. (Sessions: April 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18) Participants who fully attend all 5 sessions of the RHRP Change Leader Academy will be eligible to receive 5 NAADAC CE hours. No partial credit will be awarded. (Sessions: June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) Participants who fully attend all 10 sessions of the RHRP series will be offered the opportunity to participate in an additional 3 hours of free one-on-one organizational coaching with Mat Roosa that will be tailored to your team and/or agency. Those who participate in these virtual coaching sessions will be eligible to receive 3 NAADAC CE hours. No partial credit will be awarded.     PRESENTER:  Alfredo Cerrato is the Senior Cultural and Workforce Development Officer for the Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies (CHESS) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He currently manages Intensive Technical Assistance (ITA) projects for addiction, mental health, and prevention at the Great Lakes Technology Transfer Centers funded by SAMHSA. He is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Trainer of Trainers (ToT) of the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards and other culturally related topics. As a senior consultant for the NIATx Foundation, Mr. Cerrato specializes in the relationship between the National CLAS Standards and Process Improvement, focusing on organizational change, cultural communications, worldview dynamics, and conflict resolution. As CEO of various NGOs, Mr. Cerrato has 25 years of international relations experience and has conducted advocacy, policy, and disaster relief work in collaboration with multiple governments across the globe.       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.

Prevention plans that effectively impact substance use are based on following a strategic planning process making decisions that are driven by goals, objectives, and data. Author Zig Ziglar reminds us that “unless you have definite, precise, clearly set goals, you are not going to realize the maximum potential...” Developing broad, all-encompassing goals and SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Phased) objectives is a key component in this type of planning process, leading to more objectivity in the implementation and evaluation of selected initiatives and a greater likelihood of making a positive impact on community health outcomes. During this webinar, participants will explore the steps in a data-driven public health planning process to guide prevention efforts and examine the role and importance of goal- and objective-setting within such a process. We will examine the differences between goals and objectives and describe how to develop clear goals and SMART objectives, working through examples of each to improve them. Participants will also have an opportunity to discuss their past successes, barriers to setting and pursuing goals and objectives in their prevention planning efforts and consider real-world benefits and challenges of committing to this type of process.

DESCRIPTION: Professionals new to prevention in higher education may come to their work with diversity in background and training. Since there is currently no certification or academic program in higher education prevention science, this training will focus on the fundamentals of prevention science, college student behavior epidemiology, and using the Strategic Prevention Framework to apply evidence-based prevention strategies in higher education prevention. Note:  There are a limited number of openings for this training.  Registration will close when 40 participants have registered. There is an application process to complete for registration.  Click on the “Registration” button above and be redirected to an application form.  Those who work in Higher Education in Region 5 will take priority in the application process.  Each participant will be notified via email of their acceptance and will then be directed to register in Zoom.      DATES:  April 20, 25 and 27, 2023 from 9:00 AM CT-12:00 PM CT.      LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Understand and articulate the fundamentals of the public health approach, including how the Strategic Prevention Framework can be used in higher education substance misuse prevention.    Explain the unique substance misuse prevention challenges inherent in higher education settings and selection of evidence-based strategies to address high-risk substance misuse behavior. Return to campus ready to implement evidence-based strategies to address higher education substance misuse prevention, regardless of their previous prevention or higher.     CERTIFICATES: Registrants who fully attend all three sessions of this training will receive a certificate of attendance via email within two weeks after the event or training. This training will consist of 9 contact hours.      PRESENTERS:  Joan Masters, MEd Joan Masters is the Project Director of Missouri Partners in Partners in Prevention and has worked with PIP since 2001. Joan is responsible for the training and technical assistance that PIP provides to the 24 member campuses and serves as the Primary Investigator for PIP’s grant projects. Joan provides oversight to the Partners in Prevention projects including the implementation of the annual Missouri Assessment of College Health Behaviors.  She is assists campuses with coalition building, implementing evidence-based strategies, building peer education programs, and strategic planning. Joan is a Missouri Advanced Prevention Specialist and received both her Masters and Bachelor’s degrees in Education from the University of Missouri. Kathleen Ratcliff  Kathleen Ratcliff is the founder and Executive Director of Upstream Prevention, Inc., a nonprofit based in Johnson County, Indiana. She is an IC&RC Certified Prevention Specialist with a Master of Public Affairs (University of Missouri) and a B.S. in Psychology (Missouri State University). While working on her MPA, she was awarded the Mel Carnahan Public Service Fellowship and was the 2013 Stanley L. Botner award recipient. She got her start in prevention as a research assistant for Missouri’s Partners in Prevention, before moving to Indiana to work at the Indiana Prevention Resource Center at Indiana University-Bloomington as a Research Associate and Community Prevention Specialist. She is a trained facilitator for the nationally recognized Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST), Ethics for Prevention, and Question.Persuade.Refer (QPR). She has served as a trainer, technical assistance coach, and evaluator within the prevention field in the past ten years.       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.

Organizational Elements of Effective Coalitions An Enhanced Prevention Learning Series   Series Overview This 7-week series offers a unique interactive experience that provides participants an opportunity to learn more about the key organizational elements that assist coalitions of all types to operate efficiently and effectively. This series will have a special focus on coalitions that promote healthy youth development to reduce substance misuse and other related problem behaviors. Participants will explore a variety of organizational principles that will assist them in the overall development of their coalition by learning more about how to engage and sustain involvement of key stakeholders and members over time, how to utilize dynamic group-development strategies, and how their efforts can connect with other coalition efforts in their area. The learning series is structured to provide online consultation, skill-based learning and practice, group and self-study activities, reading assignments, and discussion on topics essential to an effective community coalition structure when focusing on primary prevention. Participants will have the opportunity during the course to discuss specific "next steps" questions.   Audience Prevention practitioners, coalition coordinators, and allied partners working to prevent substance misuse in communities and tribes located in Northwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center HHS Region 10: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Prevention professionals interested in this course but who work outside of Region 10 are encouraged to contact their region’s PTTC to learn what opportunities for similar courses are available to them.   Session Dates and Time Weekly on Wednesdays: April 19, 26, and May 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31, 2023 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Alaska 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Pacific 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Mountain (View in your time zone here)   Facilitator Meghan Blevins, MA, is a Systems Change Specialist at Penn State University’s Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center’s EPISCenter and certified Communities That Care (CTC) Plus coach. In this role, she helps guide communities through the CTC process, and support local and state prevention collaboration. In addition to presenting on PAYS, CTC, prevention science, and the Social Development Strategy to communities around PA, she has also presented at the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance conference, the Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development conference, CADCA’s 28th National Leadership Forum, the PA Liquor Control Board conference, and the PA Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network retreat. Prior to her work at the EPISCenter, she supervised Juvenile Justice programming at the Olivet Boys & Girls Club and with Berks County Juvenile Probation in Reading, PA for 9 years. Meghan earned her Master of Arts degree in Community Psychology and Social Change from Penn State University, concentrating on both community member, and youth-led local data utilization.       Participant Commitments and Expectations View a 20-minute video tutorial on Zoom if unfamiliar with the technology prior to the first session on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.  Attend each of the seven (1.5-hour) sessions in series Complete up to an hour of independent learning activities between each session. Use a web-camera and have appropriate technology to join the online videoconferencing platform (i.e., internet connection, built-in or USB webcam, laptop/tablet, built-in/USB/Bluetooth speakers & microphone). Actively engage and be on camera 90% of the time during each session since this is not a webinar series, and active participation is essential to gain/improve skills.   Continuing Education Up to 15 hours of continuing education hours can be earned in this series. Participants who complete the entire course will receive a certificate of attendance for 15 hours. Participants who miss more than two sessions will not receive a certificate. Participants will need to confirm with their certification board to determine if these certification hours are accepted towards their specific certification requirements.   Registration Details Register for Organizational Elements of Effective Coalitions Due to limited enrollment, if you cannot commit to the full participant requirements, please defer this registration opportunity to others Space is limited. Enroll now!   Cost is Free!   Questions?  Contact Karen Totten ([email protected]) for any questions or difficulty in registering 

2023 Southeast PTTC Workforce Development Series The Learning Labs Session 4: Communication Techniques for the Prevention Specialist   This course is designed for prevention professionals and practitioners to address the job tasks of the Communication Domain of the Prevention Specialist credential. Course content will build knowledge and competency in organizational communication such as discussion facilitation, effective listening, consensus building, presentation delivery and public speaking. Also, course content will address interpersonal communication to the masses including promotions, public relations, marketing, and health education of mission and strategies.   Participants will be able to: Understand the important role of communication in the practice of prevention.  Identify tools and skills intended to build competency in organizational communication.   About the Presenters: Carlton Hall is the President and CEO of Carlton Hall Consulting LLC (CHC), a multi-faceted, full-service consulting firm designed to provide customized solutions and enable measurable change for communities, organizations, families, and individuals. Carlton Hall has been providing intensive substance abuse prevention focused and community problem solving services to the nation for the last 25 years. Currently, Carlton and the CHC team provide executive training and technical assistance support to the Southeast PTTC (Region 4)         A retired substance use prevention coalition director, Stephanie Strutner, MPH owns and operates an independent consulting firm, Catalyst Evaluation Group, through which she provides support to clients through measuring impact and conducting biostatistical and epidemiological analyses. She also serves as consultant and trainer for Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) where she teaches the intensive three-week National Coalition Academy for the Office of National Drug Control Policy. She is a trainer and consultant for the Alliance of Better Nonprofits in Knoxville where she helps support local charities to operate using effective business models and evaluate effectiveness to achieve sustainability and serves as the part-time CEO for the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee.       CONTACT HOUR ELIGIBILITY In order to be eligible for the stated contact hours/certificate of attendance, you must join the live webinar on the video platform. Certificates must be requested within one week of the event and will be processed within 30 days. If you are having issues accessing the room/application at the time of the event: Please email [email protected] at the start of the webinar so that we can assist you.

This series provides a broad and basic overview of youth development, with a focus on adolescence. Also, research- and clinical-based strategies and approaches regarding prevention, treatment, and recovery will be addressed.

Registration for this course is CLOSED.  The waiting list is also closed. Those applications accepted received an email with next steps.      This Sustainability Planning Intensive Training Course requires an application. The course is limited to 50 participants on a first come, first-serve basis for applicants who meet the required criteria. Additional details about this training and participant requirements are listed below.     TRAINING SCHEDULE: April 18, April 25, May 2, May 9, May 16, May 23, and May 30, 2023  9:30 AM–11:00 AM CT     HOW TO APPLY: Click the “REGISTER” button at the top of the page to access the application form.     DESCRIPTION: This 7-week intensive training course offers an interactive experience for participants to learn how to develop a sustainability plan. Sustainability planning is an intentional process of looking critically at your current prevention infrastructure, strategic planning process, and strategies to sustain meaningful prevention outcomes beyond current funding. Additional steps in sustainability planning include priority setting, resource and feasibility analysis, communication planning, and resource and grant development.   The facilitator will demonstrate how to use a set of tools to facilitate sustainability planning with community partners and will coach participants to set actionable steps and timelines to complete a plan over the next year. This course offers structured, skill-based learning opportunities, readings, and learning assignments to complete between sessions, along with group activities and discussions to enhance application of the new skills.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Define sustainability and summarize key findings from research on sustainability. Explain the value of sustainability planning to key community stakeholders. Identify and recruit key stakeholders to participate on a Sustainability Planning Team (SPT). Complete five tasks necessary for effective sustainability planning. Share and use a set of tools with their SPT to create a sustainability plan.     AUDIENCE: Substance misuse prevention practitioners located in HHS Region 5: Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. If you live outside Region 5, you are welcome to complete the application and be placed on the wait list. Individuals from outside Region 5 will be accepted IF space is available.     PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS: Participate in all seven training sessions that will be taking place from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM CT on April 18, April 25, May 2, May 9, May 16, May 23, and May 30. Download and complete the Session 1 prep packet before the first session on April 18. Complete 1-2 hours of homework and submit completed work via Google forms between each session. Have access to the appropriate technology and work environment necessary to join the Zoom sessions with your camera on and a working microphone. Actively engage and have full face visible during each session—must be on camera at least 90% of the time.   IMPORTANT CLARIFICATIONS: Before applying, please take note of the following participation requirements and training information: This is not a webinar series. It is a highly interactive virtual training series. Approximately 1-2 hours of homework will be assigned between each virtual training session. Participants are required to attend all training sessions in full (with camera on and face visible) and must complete all homework assignments to be eligible to receive certification of participation for this series.     CERTIFICATES: Participants who fully attend all sessions and satisfy all course requirements will receive a certificate of attendance for 17 contact hours. No partial credit is given for this course. Participants will need to confirm with their certification board to determine if these contact hours are accepted towards their specific certification requirements.     QUESTIONS?  Please contact Kris Gabrielsen, Great Lakes PTTC Co-Director, [email protected]     PRESENTER:  Erin Ficker Erin serves as a prevention manager for the Great Lakes PTTC. For more than 14 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 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.

Date: April 13, 2023 Time: 1:00 PM—3:00 PM ET Format: Webinar Cost: FREE Contact Hours: 1.75 (Certificate of Attendance and Social Work/Counseling CEUs provided by the DBH Training Institute)   COURSE DESCRIPTION Medical and behavioral health professionals who work in primary care are in a unique position to help adolescents living with substance use disorders (SUDs), but often feel at a loss how to do so effectively, in a limited amount of time, and without conveying judgement. Adolescents living with SUDs, meanwhile, may face stigma from health professionals, and may not relate to a singular focus on treatment programs. This presentation will improve the ability of primary care professionals to screen for SUDs with adolescent patients and perform a four-step brief intervention model that enhances the motivation of patients to reduce their risk of harm. As a result, clinicians will be better able to help these patients forge their own pathway to recovery.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES At the end of this training, participants will be able to: Demonstrate how to use a screening tool that quickly identifies possible substance use disorders with adolescent patients Demonstrate how to perform a four-step brief intervention that enhances the motivation of adolescents to change their substance use Explain how principles of harm reduction can help mitigate provider stigma and help adolescents reduce harm from substance use Describe best practices in referring adolescent patients to substance use treatment    PRESENTER Jim Winkle, MPH, has trained hundreds of behavioral health professionals how to address substance use with clients and patients. As the creator behind the SBIRT Oregon website, Jim has designed screening forms, clinic tools and training videos used by professionals across the country.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     *CONTACT HOUR ELIGIBILITY In order to be eligible for the contact hours/certificate of attendance, you must join the live webinar in Zoom. If you are having issues accessing the room/application at the time of the event: Please email [email protected] at the start of the webinar so that we can assist you.   ACCOMMODATIONS If you are in need of any special accommodations, please notify the Central East PTTC Webinar Team three weeks in advance of the event, or as soon as possible, by emailing [email protected].

COURSE DESCRIPTION This highly interactive webinar will focus on how to export, clean, format, and  map CDC WONDER data into Tableau Public. Register to observe the South Southwest PTTC epidemiologist, Dr. Beverly Triana-Tremain as she demonstrates how to apply the aforementioned steps to create data visuals that will help prevention professionals and partners make data-driven decisions. Participants can observe the map making or follow along on their own downloaded free version of Tableau Public. Some preliminary steps are necessary to follow along. Before the webinar registrants will receive instructions outlining those steps.   PRESENTER Dr. Beverly Triana-Tremain serves as the epidemiologist for the South Southwest Prevention Technology and Transfer Center (SSW PTTC), with over 30 years of experience in technical assistance and training (T/TA), evaluation, research, and quality improvement processes. She has expertise in process and impact evaluation, quality improvement studies, research methodology, and project management. Dr. Triana-Tremain plays a crucial role in providing high-impact T/TA services to the prevention workforce, emerging prevention professionals, organizations, and community prevention stakeholders.   Dr. Triana-Tremain provides T/TA on data-driven public health interventions and effectively communicating data to stakeholders in order to improve understanding in various populations. She has worked across the public and private sectors for over 50 organizations to develop quality improvement plans in the areas of workforce development, public health improvement, and community impact. She also has extensive project management experience, particularly in developing logic models that focus stakeholders on intentional project outcomes.  A certified Lean Six Sigma Green and Yellow Belt, Dr. Triana-Tremain received her doctorate from Texas Woman’s University in community health, with a public health concentration. She also has a master’s from Texas Woman’s University and a bachelor’s from Texas A&M University-Commerce.      

Date: April 13, 2023                Format: Webinar            Target Audience: Prevention Professionals, Rural Communities, Community Members Time: 9:00 AM—11:00 AM ET          Cost: FREE     SERIES DESCRIPTION The four part series 360 SAFETY: Keeping Staff Safe by Helping Clients Feel Secure - will empower your organization to create synergy with clients while ensuring physical and environmental safety for staff. Participants learn practical strategies for prioritizing their physical safety, enabling them to focus on the client’s situation. Our system further empowers staff to maintain their personal safety by emphasizing goal centric teamwork that provides emotional security to the client. As a result, clients often transform their energy of aggression into fuel for successful case plan completion. Whether taken as a series or an individual course, the goal is to help participants better partner with clients while ensuring their own personal safety.   SERIES LEARNING OBJECTIVES Participants will understand the importance of teaming with those they serve by emphasizing goal centric teamwork to achieve case plan objectives while also enhancing their own personal safety. Participants will understand the reality of violence in their work, the risk factors of workplace violence for caseworkers and the need to take measures for personal safety. Participants will apply vigilance strategies during office and field interactions, on home visits and while navigating the neighborhoods in which our clients reside. Participants will use verbal de-escalation tactics to diffuse potentially hostile and aggressive clients or strangers.   SESSION 4: Learn the signs, indicators and cycle of a situation in escalation. Also learn de-escalation tactics to diffuse potentially dangerous situations.   Registration for this series is being managed by Delaware Health and Social Services-Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.   PRESENTERS Presented by Anthony President & Val Larkin 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. 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. Val Larkin, Senior Trainer, is a licensed social worker with over 30 years as a clinical social worker and human services manager, Val has extensive experience working with trauma-exposed individuals while supervising and training those who support them.