Past Events

This presentation will highlight research on "supersized alcopops," including why they are especially dangerous and how they serve as an exemplar of problematic alcohol products regarding the 4 P's of marketing: Price, Place, Product, and Promotion. This presentation will underscore the importance of collecting data for understanding local conditions and framing them in ways that support local policy change. Participants will leave with possible options for next steps to better understand their local alcohol environment.   Learning Objectives: Explain the public health implications of alcohol marketing and high alcohol outlet density  Discuss national disparities in alcohol marketing, access, and consumption   Describe the characteristics of supersized alcopops that make them a threat to public health, which exemplifies problematic aspects of the alcohol marketing mix   Identify strategies for collecting local assessment data, and summarize how they can be used to build support for local-level policy changes     About the Presenter: Dr. Matthew Rossheim is an Associate Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. He has more than 10 years of experience conducting substance use research, primarily focused on alcohol prevention and control. His research has been featured in The New York Times, NBC, CNN, BBC, Washington Post, Newsweek, NPR, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. He has published 64 peer-reviewed publications, many of which are focused on “supersized alcopops.” Dr. Rossheim is one of the world’s leading experts on supersized alcopops, which are sugar-sweetened, high alcohol content beverages. His research has been cited in reports by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and World Health Organization, as well as in city and county ordinances. In 2019, some of his studies on supersized alcopops were cited by the Canadian Government in their regulations that reclassified and restricted the alcohol content of these products to 1.5 standard alcoholic drinks throughout Canada. In the U.S., supersized alcopops still contain up to 5.5 standard alcoholic drinks within a single can. Dr. Rossheim strives to help understand and address the issue of supersized alcopops throughout the U.S.       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.

Date: December 13, 2022 Format: Webinar Contact Hours: 1.25 (NAADAC Pending) Time: 2 PM—3:30 PM ET Cost: FREE Target Audience: Prevention Professionals SERIES DESCRIPTION Organizations and health care systems rely more on peers to help facilitate treatment options for persons suffering from substance use disorders. Peer perspective gives an institution or organization an understanding of the persons in active use because of lived experience and insight into the recovery process. The epidemic of opioids and the increase of illicit substances affecting communities have increased the need for alternative methods to serve the population of persons suffering from substance use disorders. This two-part webinar series will unpack the benefit of lived experiences using prevention to reach communities in active use. The two-part webinar series will also examine the need to expand the peer perspective in more settings, techniques used to engage with populations with substance use disorders, the benefit of relatability to the community, and the peer's contribution to the organization's service.   COURSE DESCRIPTION Peers have insight and awareness of another's active use because of their firsthand experiences of the recovery process. The epidemic of opioids and the increase of illicit substances affecting communities have increased the need for alternative methods to serve the population of persons suffering from substance use disorders. This webinar will explore the benefits of using peers to reach communities in active use. It will also facilitate ways agencies, institutions, and organizations can capitalize on the skills and knowledge of peers and how these settings can best utilize them.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Define the purpose and role of peers and discuss ways peers are influential in serving the community. Determine how peers' contributions in various settings can be instrumental in combating the opioid epidemic. Explore how peers' perspectives help develop prevention methods for communities affected by substance use. Discuss prevention opportunities for agencies and organizations to maximize and expand the workforce of peers.     PRESENTERS 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.   Lisa Connors, LCPC, NCC, MAC, ABD is an Associate Pastor at In His Image International Ministry, Inc. She is a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Board-Certified Coach, Master Addiction Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Certified Grief Counseling Specialist. Ms. Connors is Certified in Thanatology [the study of death, dying, and bereavement]. She has been in the human services/social work/counseling fields for 30 years and has worked in a variety of settings providing services to the despondent and downtrodden. Ms. Connors works tirelessly to help others reach their fullest potential in life, supporting and empowering those who have been oppressed, stigmatized, marginalized, and victimized. Her greatest passion is working with, serving, and providing training related to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use and mental health disorders, violence/abuse/trauma, grief and loss, racial and social injustices. Ms. Connors is a mental health therapist providing services to individuals who have co-occurring issues. In addition to her pastoral and clinical work, Ms. Connors is a college professor. She has taught at the University of Maryland and is currently teaching at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland. Like many women of color, Ms. Connors has experienced various forms of oppression. Ms. Connors earned her Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Professional Counseling degrees, respectively, and is a Doctoral Candidate completing her Ph.D. in Psychology.      *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 90-minute session will build off the previous sessions in the data collection series and focus on the challenges specific to working with schools and parents. These partners can be essential in supporting the data needed for prevention planning and implementation. However, these partners can also present unique challenges and road blocks to collecting, sharing, and understanding the role data plays in prevention. This training will be highly interactive and its success relies on participants to share, discuss, and work through their challenges and successes and to be open to learning from others. NOTE: Due to the interactive nature of this training, it will not be available as a recording. Registration is limited and will close once the maximum capacity of 200 participants has been reached.     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:  Shai Fuxman, EdD Shai Fuxman, a behavioral health expert and senior research scientist, leads initiatives promoting the positive development of youth. He has extensive experience in social and emotional learning (SEL), school-based trauma-informed care, and substance misuse prevention. He also has expertise in program evaluation, cultural competence, and quantitative and qualitative research. As a Prevention Solutions@EDC training and technical assistance specialist, he supports state agencies and community-based organizations to implement and evaluate effective substance misuse prevention programs     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 is the third part of a 3-part series focused on alcohol policy. In collaboration with the US Alcohol Policy Alliance, this interactive webinar provides an answer to the question, ‘How do we do alcohol policy at the local level?’ The session will provide an overview of The 10-step Policy Adoption Model utilized by the Southeast PTTC.   Learning Objectives: How to identify coalition strengths and challenges related to policy development and implementation;  Understand the five internal steps of the Policy Adoption Model necessary to prepare a policy for public discussion, debate and support; and  Learn the five external steps of the policy process with an emphasis on media advocacy, community organizing and post-adoption policy compliance.    About the Presenter: Michael Sparks Michael Sparks M.A. is an Alcohol Policy Specialist and President of SparksInitiatives. His primary interest is in assisting communities to implement evidence-based environmental strategies to reduce alcohol and other drug problems. Among others, Michael is currently working with Wake Forest University, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation and Health Foundation of South Florida on a range of public health issues. He currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the US Alcohol Policy Alliance.    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.  

Date: December 8, 2022 Format: Webinar Contact Hours: 1.25 NAADAC (pending) Time: 1 PM—2:30 PM ET Cost: FREE Target Audience: Prevention Professionals SERIES DESCRIPTION The aspects of life that influence a person’s health, including their likelihood of engaging in risky behavior such as substance use, are numerous and varied. They range from very immediate, personal characteristics to overarching societal trends and conditions. The social determinants of health are these larger social or environmental aspects that influence individuals, such as the economic status of the neighborhoods in which we live, our access to quality health care services, and the amount of discrimination we face. Due to their widescale impacts, addressing these determinants should be a key part of a comprehensive approach to prevention. Prevention professionals can implement environmental strategies in collaboration with other public health stakeholders to address these determinants. This two-part webinar series will overview the social determinants of health, their influence on risk of substance use, and recommendations on how to address them through environmental strategies.   COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will introduce and discuss environmental strategies and their ability to expand the reach of prevention services. By using environmental strategies, prevention professionals can address the aspects of life around people that influence their likelihood of engaging in substance use. This webinar will discuss how environmental strategies work and their role in a public health approach to prevention that seeks to address the social determinants of health. It will also overview several types of environmental strategies and provide examples for each, as well as the collaborative partners needed to implement a public health approach to prevention.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Define environmental strategies and their relationship to the social determinants of health Understand the role of environmental strategies in a public health approach to prevention Identify collaborative partners that can be support the implementation environmental strategies Begin determining what types of environmental strategies may be most appropriate for their communities   PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is a Senior Policy Analyst with Carnevale Associates. Josh has extensive experience in substance use prevention; researching, writing, and presenting on best practice and knowledge development publications, briefs, and reference guides; and developing and providing T/TA to numerous organizations. He developed numerous SAMHSA Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies’ (CAPT) products on strategies to prevent opioid misuse and overdose, risk and protective factors for substance use, youth substance use prevention strategies, youth substance use trends, emerging substance use trends, the potential regulations surrounding marijuana legalization, as well as numerous other topics.       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 NAADAC 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].  

Economic Stability. Education Access and Quality. Health Care Access and Quality. Neighborhoods and Build Environments. Social and Community Context. These are the common themes of Social Determinants referred to in substance misuse prevention efforts. What relationship do the Social Determinants of Health have with substance misuse prevention? If our focus is substance misuse prevention, is it possible to collaborate with community partners who also focus on the Social Determinants of Health? While paying attention to the Social Determinants of Health in addition to our other work might feel like an overwhelming task, the research – and experience – inform us that people fare better when social determinants are centered when planning interventions. This virtual learning series will explore several connections between the social determinants of health to substance use and the consequences, and how awareness and understanding of the social determinants can strengthen your prevention planning efforts. We will review the social determinants of health and how several impact substance use risk and protective factors, explore how to build prevention plans on an understanding of how the social determinants of health influence use, outline the benefit of partnering with organizations with experience addressing the social determinants and working with populations most impacted. Session 1 will review integrating the social determinants of health into the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF).

    Meeting the Prevention Needs of Diverse Communities: A webinar series on selective and indicated prevention interventions Working to Promote Protection by Supporting LGBTQ+ Teens in Foster Care   Webinar Description Youth in foster care face unique risk and protective factors related to substance misuse.  LGTBQ+ youth in foster care need explicit support and acceptance; however, few caseworkers and caregivers receive specialized training. To address this, the Connecting: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) eLearning was developed. During this webinar, participants will learn about the importance of gender-affirming care for adolescence. They will also learn about the free online resource for caregivers and social workers offered by the State of Washington Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence.   Date and Time Thursday, December 8, 2022 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Alaska 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Pacific 12:00 p.m. – 01:30 p.m. Mountain (View in your time zone)   Audience Prevention practitioners, allied health partners, and community members working to prevent substance misuse in tribes, communities, and states in HHS Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington).   Presenters   Susan Barkan, PhD, Director of Research, Parners for our Children. Dr. Barkan is a Principal Research Scientist and Director of Research at Partners for Our Children.  Her work involves developing and evaluating programs and policies to improve the lives of children and families in the child welfare system.  Susan is the principal investigator of Strive, a curriculum-based program designed to facilitate quality visits between parents and their children in foster care.  She is a co-investigator of Connecting, a program for teens and their foster or relative caregivers aimed at preventing teens’ initiation of risky behaviors.  Connecting has also developed a new module addressing the unique needs of LGBTQ2S teens in foster care.  The module is available in the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence training catalogue for caregivers. Throughout Susan’s career, she has focused on the social determinants of health and the elimination of inequities in health and wellness.  She served on the Washington State Racial Disproportionality Advisory Committee until the committee ended in 2018.  Susan earned a Ph.D. in epidemiology from Yale University and a B.A. in psychology and biology from Antioch College. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health-funded postdoctoral fellowship in Family Violence at The Children's Hospital in Boston, MA, where she also held a faculty appointment in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.  She holds affiliate faculty appointments within the University of Washington Schools of Public Health and Social Work.   Kym Ahrens MD, MPH, University of Washington Department of Pediatrics.  Dr.  Ahrens is an Associate Professor of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Seattle Children's Hospital and the University of Washington School of Medicine. She also serves as Medical Director for the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families Juvenile Rehabilitation System (DCYF JR. She conducts research to identify needs and improve outcomes for youth exposed to early adversity including systems-involved and gender-diverse youth.    Kevin P. Haggerty, M.S.W., Ph.D Dr. Haggerty is a professor emeritus at the University of Washington School of Social Work. He is the former director of the Social Development Research Group where he specialized in the delivery of prevention programs at the community, school and family level. For over three decades, he has focused on developing innovative ways to organize the scientific knowledge base for prevention so that parents, communities and schools can better identify, assess, and prioritize customized approaches that meet their needs. He has served as principal investigator on a variety of intervention-focused federally funded grants. An expert on substance abuse and delinquency prevention, Dr. Haggerty speaks, conducts trainings, and writes extensively on this field. He is a former board member and Fellow of the Society for Prevention Research and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare and is a prevention science reviewer for periodicals such as Prevention Science.   Registration Register for the Webinar - Working to Promote Protection by Supporting LGBTQ+ Teens in Foster Care   Continuing Education Participants will receive a certificate of attendance for 1.5 hours for participating in the live webinar.    Questions Please contact Karen Totten ([email protected]) for any questions related to registration. For any other questions, please contact Michelle Frye-Spray ([email protected]).

Date: December 7, 2022         Format: Webinar         Contact Hours: 1.25 (Certificate of Attendance) Time: 1 PM—2:30 PM ET         Cost: FREE         Target Audience: Prevention Professionals, Students and Educators   COURSE DESCRIPTION Substance use among pregnant women is an urgent public health concern in the United States. This webinar will examine the history and risk factors of substance use among pregnant women. Women face unique barriers that bring shame, stigma, and social disgrace leading to under-representation in addiction prevention and treatment. Substance use has a disproportionate impact on the maternal health outcomes of various populations that are marginalized already experiencing health disparities that perpetuate unequal health outcomes. Examples of such are racial and ethnic minorities and communities with lower socioeconomic status. Substance use during pregnancy has adverse effects impacting maternal and fetal outcomes. In addition, the webinar will provide strategies and tools to combat substance use disorders in pregnant women.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES Discuss the prevalence and importance of addressing substance use and maternal health Examine the complexity of substance use disorder (SUD) Identify the risks for infants with mothers who use substances Review preventive and treatment options available for maternal substance use     PRESENTERS Favour Dimelu, BSc, MPH Candidate, is a 2nd year MPH student at the University of Maryland, College Park. She graduated with her Bachelor's in Public Health in May 2021 from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research interest includes maternal health, risk factors that perpetuate maternal mortality, and health disparities.     Grace Johnson, is finishing her last semester at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County where she is majoring in Public Health and Psychology with a concentration in health education and communication. Her interest in health education and communication stemmed from her personal mission to give back to the community. Grace is interested in field work such as patient education, health communication, healthcare policy and advocacy, and environmental health.       Madison Myles, is a senior honors Maternal & Child Health Education major and Biology minor at Howard University. Madison is a passionate advocate for health equity and black maternal health care with a desire to improve the health of vulnerable, underserved communities.         *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].

Date: December 6, 2022 Format: Webinar Contact Hours: 1.25 NAADAC (pending) Time: 1 PM—2:30 PM ET Cost: FREE Target Audience: Prevention Professionals SERIES DESCRIPTION The aspects of life that influence a person’s health, including their likelihood of engaging in risky behavior such as substance use, are numerous and varied. They range from very immediate, personal characteristics to overarching societal trends and conditions. The social determinants of health are these larger social or environmental aspects that influence individuals, such as the economic status of the neighborhoods in which we live, our access to quality health care services, and the amount of discrimination we face. Due to their widescale impacts, addressing these determinants should be a key part of a comprehensive approach to prevention. Prevention professionals can implement environmental strategies in collaboration with other public health stakeholders to address these determinants. This two-part webinar series will overview the social determinants of health, their influence on risk of substance use, and recommendations on how to address them through environmental strategies.   COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will introduce and discuss the social determinants of health. It will explain which aspects have been found to be significantly linked to substance use, as well as how the social determinants of health are linked to inequity and health disparities. The webinar will provide recommendations on how prevention professionals can begin thinking about ways to address the social determinants of health and how to pursue a public health approach to prevention.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Understand what the social determinants of health are and how they relate to the socio-ecological model of prevention Identify the social determinants of health linked to increase risk of substance use Consider how racial and ethnic inequities influence substance use risk and services Begin pursuing a public health prevention approach to address the social determinants of health   PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is a Senior Policy Analyst with Carnevale Associates. Josh has extensive experience in substance use prevention; researching, writing, and presenting on best practice and knowledge development publications, briefs, and reference guides; and developing and providing T/TA to numerous organizations. He developed numerous SAMHSA Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies’ (CAPT) products on strategies to prevent opioid misuse and overdose, risk and protective factors for substance use, youth substance use prevention strategies, youth substance use trends, emerging substance use trends, the potential regulations surrounding marijuana legalization, as well as numerous other topics.       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 NAADAC 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].  

Join us to focus on healthy aspects of traditional living during the winter months. Being well and making healthy choices during this time is a topic for consideration in the areas of making connections, taking care of ourselves while caring for others, getting active together, and building healthy relationships with our families. We have strengths in our culture and traditions. Let us look for ways to build up ourselves with healthy habits through our Indigenous ways of knowledge. 2-3:30 ET / 1-2:30 CT / 12-1:30 MT / 11-12:30 PT / 10-11:30 AKT

DESCRIPTION: This 90-minute session will focus on identifying the challenges rural communities face in data collection and sharing.  We will share, discuss, and work through common challenges faced by rural communities including reluctance to share and/or accept data and the lack of available local data. This training will be highly interactive and its success relies on participants to share, discuss, and work through their challenges and successes and to be open to learning from others. NOTE: Due to the interactive nature of this training, it will not be available as a recording. Registration is limited and will close once the maximum capacity of 200 participants has been reached     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:  Shai Fuxman, EdD Shai Fuxman, a behavioral health expert and senior research scientist, leads initiatives promoting the positive development of youth. He has extensive experience in social and emotional learning (SEL), school-based trauma-informed care, and substance misuse prevention. He also has expertise in program evaluation, cultural competence, and quantitative and qualitative research. As a Prevention Solutions@EDC training and technical assistance specialist, he supports state agencies and community-based organizations to implement and evaluate effective substance misuse prevention programs     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.

Registration is now closed! Thanks so much for your interest. Stay tuned for new events and updates from the Southeast PTTC!   Dates: Session 1: The Search for Mindfulness Monday, December 5, at 11:30 a.m. ET Session 2: Real World Compassion Friday, December 9, at 11:30 a.m. ET Session 3: The Art of Forgiveness  Monday, December 12, at 11:30 a.m. ET Session 4: Building a Mindfulness Practice Friday, December 16, at 11:30 a.m. ET   This virtual mini-course offers (4) 30-minute mindfulness sessions. The sessions will occur twice per week on Mondays and Fridays for 2 consecutive weeks. This course provides an overview of mindful meditation techniques and practices.  Some benefits of meditation include building skills to manage stress, increasing self-awareness, patience, tolerance and reducing negative emotions. This 4-week course will appeal to meditation newcomers, those with limited experience, and those who have practiced for years. Participants will register for the entire session. There are 50 slots available.    Learning Objectives: Students will be able to describe the relationship between mindfulness and meditation. Students will learn how to apply greater intention and attention to their compassion practice. Students will apply basic principles of forgiveness to themselves and others. Students will learn how to make a habit out of mindfulness and meditation. Instructor: Dr. Bill Geary began studying mindfulness and meditation in 1982. His interest in meditation started sporadically, and over the subsequent years he has gradually deepened his meditation practice to include weeklong silent meditation retreats, studying an increasing variety of teachers and expanding the length and complexity of his daily meditations. Bill is in the final months of a two-year training course on mindfulness meditation techniques. He will soon attain his Teaching Certificate in Mindfulness Meditation from SoundsTrue. Bill’s teachers include Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, davidji, Jake Dartington, and others.  He is currently the owner of Global Evaluation Solutions (GES). Bill has worked on substance abuse and violence prevention for the past 22 years. He currently resides in Doylestown, PA.      

Date: December 1, 2022 Format: Webinar Contact Hours: 1.25 (NAADAC Pending) Time: 2 PM—3:30 PM ET Cost: FREE Target Audience: Prevention Professionals   OVERALL COURSE DESCRIPTION How did we assist clients and communities in preventing substance use or substance misuse? How do we meet them where they are? Substance misuse prevention is a process that attempts to prevent the onset of substance use or limit the development of problems associated with using alcohol and drugs. Sometimes, we are missing opportunities to engage and retain clients. The engagement and retention of clients are crucial elements of desired outcomes and improved experiences of substance use prevention. Utilizing a person-centered and harm reduction approach builds on respectful and responsive care to the client’s strengths, resources, needs, and values. Besides person-centered and harm reduction, this 3-part webinar series will address topics that will increase a client’s engagement and retention, understanding that healthy people produce and build healthier communities through prevention efforts to improve the health and well-being of clients. COURSE DESCRIPTION What happens with professionals working in prevention work? Where do they go from here? What is the takeaway messages in moving forward with clients? What do professionals need, what do they want, what is working, and what can be added to be proficient in serving clients who need them the most? The question is: What's Next? What's next for professionals in preventing substance use, misuse, and addictions among clients? This webinar will offer space for open dialogue and hands-on practices on how professionals can implement strategies, techniques, and tools in their work to benefit clients and communities.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES Summarize how communication and relationships are vital components in substance use prevention work. Identify resources that are needed to continue providing adequate services. Formulate a collaborative approach by networking and building partnerships with other professionals in substance use prevention work. Demonstrate strategies, techniques, and tools to provide substantial prevention work.   PRESENTER Lisa Connors, LCPC, NCC, MAC, ABD is an Associate Pastor at In His Image International Ministry, Inc. She is a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Board-Certified Coach, Master Addiction Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Certified Grief Counseling Specialist. Ms. Connors is Certified in Thanatology [the study of death, dying, and bereavement]. She has been in the human services/social work/counseling fields for 30 years and has worked in a variety of settings providing services to the despondent and downtrodden. Ms. Connors works tirelessly to help others reach their fullest potential in life, supporting and empowering those who have been oppressed, stigmatized, marginalized, and victimized. Her greatest passion is working with, serving, and providing training related to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use and mental health disorders, violence/abuse/trauma, grief and loss, racial and social injustices. Ms. Connors is a mental health therapist providing services to individuals who have co-occurring issues. In addition to her pastoral and clinical work, Ms. Connors is a college professor. She has taught at the University of Maryland and is currently teaching at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland. Like many women of color, Ms. Connors has experienced various forms of oppression. Ms. Connors earned her Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Professional Counseling degrees, respectively, and is a Doctoral Candidate completing her Ph.D. in Psychology.      *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].

Do your presentations inspire and influence your audiences? Do you know how to tackle tough topics and information overload? We use presentations as one of our primary strategies to share content knowledge, build skills, ignite calls to action and affect culture change. Many of us have attempted to create compelling presentations, however most of us never receive any formal training in presentation design - despite all we expect presentations to do for us. In this 3-hour virtual workshop, participants will learn practical skills to plan and deliver exceptional presentations using the tools and resources they already have. Special emphasis will be placed on audience analysis - in helping presenters determine the unique needs of each audience and developing material that will speak to those unique needs. Learning Objectives After the session, participants will be able to: ● Apply a four-step process to create brain-friendly presentations ● List the most common presenter mistakes and understand how to prevent them ● Use tools and techniques that enhance learning ● Increase audience engagement and participation   Presenters: Jamie Comstock and Robin Carr of Info Inspired, LLC Jamie Comstock and Robin Carr founded Info Inspired in 2014, after many years of designing and giving presentations with no formal training in this area, and watching their public health colleagues struggle with the same skills gap. Both are certified prevention specialists with 30 years’ combined experience in the field. They’ve spent the last several years researching and testing ways to not only capture and hold an audience’s attention, but to also inspire audiences. They’ve spent countless hours refining the presentation planning process, identifying free resources, and learning how to maximize the tools they already had and they’ve shared their findings with thousands of people across the county. It’s also important to know that they aren’t graphic designers, artists, or especially tech savvy. Everything they do, you can do too.

  Prioritizing Equity in Prevention Series Health Equity Foundations for the African American Population   Learning Session Overview and Objectives In this learning session, we will define terms that are essential to the discussion around health equity as well as the roots of how inequities were formed in African American communities.  We will also journey into the African American population and the impact of disparities, before ending in what roles we can play in prevention to help create equity. This Learning Session will be formatted as a 45-minute presentation followed by a 45-minute facilitator-led discussion. By the end of this learning session, participants will be able to: Discover how health disparities and other inequities play a role in behavioral health and substance use/misuse of the African American Population Define terminology linked to the discussion of health equity Describe the role of cultural competence and cultural humility   Who Should Participate Community, tribal, jurisdiction, and state-level substance misuse prevention practitioners and allied health partners located in the Pacific Southwest region, including American Samoa, Arizona, California, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Republic of Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau.    Learning Session Dates and Times States and American Samoa Tues. Nov. 29, 2022    Time Zone 03:00 p.m. – 04:30 p.m.    Pacific (including Arizona) 01:00 p.m. – 02:30 p.m.    Hawaii  12:00 p.m. – 01:30 p.m.    American Samoa   Pacific Jurisdictions Wed. Nov. 30, 2022,         Time Zone 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.    Republic of the Marshall Islands  10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.    Pohnpei and Kosrae 09:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.    Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, and Yap 08:00 a.m. – 09:30 a.m.    Republic of Palau (view in your time zone)   Presenter Albert Gay, M.S. Chief of Development for TTJ Group & SheRay’s & Associates LLC   Albert Gay was born and raised in Gary, Indiana.  He was ordained into the ministry in 1994 and since that time he has worked with youth and communities in many capacities.  Albert has been in full-time ministry as a youth pastor, where he counseled urban youth in positive directions and provided them with alternative solutions to the “streets.”  Albert expanded into the Prevention field in 1997 when he was employed by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana as a Prevention Coordinator.  He received credentials as a Certified Prevention Professional from the Indiana Association of Prevention Professionals in 1999.  While attending ministry school in Florida, Albert worked as a Behavioral Specialist with troubled youth.     Albert Gay is currently a Master Trainer for TTJ Group, LLC providing services to non-profit, faith-based, and community organizations and governmental entities in developing and implementing technical assistance and training services in an innovative and practical format.   Albert Gay obtained his B.A. in English Arts from the historically distinguished, Hampton University in Virginia, and he obtained his Master of Science in Management from Oakland City.   Certificates of Attendance Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance for 1.5 hours for participating in the live event.   Registration Register for the Learning Session - Health Equity Foundations for the African American Population   Cost is Free!   Questions? Please contact Karen Totten, [email protected] for any questions related to registration. For any other questions, please contact Britany Wiele, [email protected].

DESCRIPTION: This 90-minute session will focus on understanding the types of data needed to conduct prevention needs assessments and progress monitoring. We will focus on gathering local data, and on the partners needed to find and use data effectively. We will also discuss ways you can increase your organization’s, coalition’s, and/or community’s capacity to understand and use local data effectively.  The training is the first in a series of three highly interactive sessions focused on identifying challenges in data collection, data sharing, and community capacity. (Please note that due to the interactive nature of this training, it will not be available as a recording.)     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:  Shai Fuxman, EdD Shai Fuxman, a behavioral health expert and senior research scientist, leads initiatives promoting the positive development of youth. He has extensive experience in social and emotional learning (SEL), school-based trauma-informed care, and substance misuse prevention. He also has expertise in program evaluation, cultural competence, and quantitative and qualitative research. As a Prevention Solutions@EDC training and technical assistance specialist, he supports state agencies and community-based organizations to implement and evaluate effective substance misuse prevention programs.      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: November 17, 2022 Format: Webinar Contact Hours: 1.25 (NAADAC Pending) Time: 2 PM—3:30 PM ET Cost: FREE Target Audience: Prevention Professionals   OVERALL COURSE DESCRIPTION How did we assist clients and communities in preventing substance use or substance misuse? How do we meet them where they are? Substance misuse prevention is a process that attempts to prevent the onset of substance use or limit the development of problems associated with using alcohol and drugs. Sometimes, we are missing opportunities to engage and retain clients. The engagement and retention of clients are crucial elements of desired outcomes and improved experiences of substance use prevention. Utilizing a person-centered and harm reduction approach builds on respectful and responsive care to the client’s strengths, resources, needs, and values. Besides person-centered and harm reduction, this 3-part webinar series will address topics that will increase a client’s engagement and retention, understanding that healthy people produce and build healthier communities through prevention efforts to improve the health and well-being of clients. COURSE DESCRIPTION The engagement and retention of clients are crucial elements for desired outcomes and improved experiences of care for patients. Cultural humility, the SBIRT model, motivational interviewing principles, and coaching skills are essential in practice. This webinar will explore cultural humility and how it catalyzes engaging and retaining clients. It will review how using the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) approach supports patients in making healthier lifestyle changes related to excessive alcohol and drug use by using motivational interviewing principles through screening, conducting a brief intervention, and referring to treatment. When using the SBIRT model, professionals identify clients who may be using alcohol or illicit drugs/prescription medications in ways that are harmful to their health. This webinar will also explore coaching skills that can facilitate a client’s action toward change.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES Describe the background and importance of conducting SBIRT in various settings to prevent excessive alcohol and drug use. Engage clients using motivational interviewing and coaching strategies and skills. Understand how to incorporate valid and reliable alcohol and drug screening tools in practice. Apply elements of screening, brief intervention, and referral to the treatment.   PRESENTER Lisa Connors, LCPC, NCC, MAC, ABD is an Associate Pastor at In His Image International Ministry, Inc. She is a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Board-Certified Coach, Master Addiction Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Certified Grief Counseling Specialist. Ms. Connors is Certified in Thanatology [the study of death, dying, and bereavement]. She has been in the human services/social work/counseling fields for 30 years and has worked in a variety of settings providing services to the despondent and downtrodden. Ms. Connors works tirelessly to help others reach their fullest potential in life, supporting and empowering those who have been oppressed, stigmatized, marginalized, and victimized. Her greatest passion is working with, serving, and providing training related to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use and mental health disorders, violence/abuse/trauma, grief and loss, racial and social injustices. Ms. Connors is a mental health therapist providing services to individuals who have co-occurring issues. In addition to her pastoral and clinical work, Ms. Connors is a college professor. She has taught at the University of Maryland and is currently teaching at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland. Like many women of color, Ms. Connors has experienced various forms of oppression. Ms. Connors earned her Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Professional Counseling degrees, respectively, and is a Doctoral Candidate completing her Ph.D. in Psychology.      *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].

COURSE DESCRIPTION Somewhere along the data process, you are going to have to communicate data-related information with your partners. One way to disseminate data is through data visualization. Data visualization involves taking data and presenting it in a way that is easy to understand. This can be done using charts, graphs, and maps. Part 5 of the Ditching the Discomfort with Data series will explore several methods and techniques prevention professionals and their partners need to visualize and communicate data around risks, consequences, and resources within a community.     Begin Your Data Journey and Ditch the Discomfort   Are you curious about what you need to know as a prevention professional to participate in data-based decision-making? Have you been working with a prevention grant that requires you to conduct a needs assessment or an evaluation? If you are relatively new to prevention or new to using data, this series is for you! In this five-part series, Dr. Hayden Center will take you on a data journey, from providing an overview of the basic components of data literacy to then taking a deeper dive in parts two through four to learn more about data collection, data analysis and interpretation, and finally visualizing and communicating data to your partners. During this journey, there will be discussion and practical tips from Dr. Center; who has worked with local community prevention organizations to build capacity around working with data.   PRESENTER Dr. Hayden D. Center, Jr. was most recently on faculty at Auburn University at Montgomery in the Department of Psychology, where he taught for ten years. He has taught at several universities over the past thirty years.  He has also been a licensed professional counselor (LPC) specializing in addiction issues for over 30 years. Dr. Center has worked as a consultant in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse prevention since 1987.  He has worked in the field of prevention for more than 30 years. He served as the director of a US Department of Education (USDOE) grant while at Auburn University.  He served the State of Alabama Department of Education as the coordinator of the state Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program. He was a consultant to the Alabama Governor’s Office of Drug Abuse Policy for ten years and has worked with numerous state and local agencies in the state of Alabama. He served as the evaluator for the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention’s (CSAP) Southeast Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (SECAPT) and the Border Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (BCAPT). He has provided over 300 trainings and workshops on the topics of “science-based prevention,” “evaluation,” “risk and protective factors”, and “sustainability.”  He has worked with numerous agencies and organizations at the national, state, and local levels as an evaluator, including three Drug-Free Community grants.  His experience includes working with several projects to develop data bases, collect and interpret data, and produce data dissemination products and materials. Most recently Dr. Center has conducted training on implementation science, the psychopharmacology of marijuana, opioid use disorder, the opioid epidemic, and prevention of opioid overdose death.  He is also working on the development of a sustainability toolkit that was released in the Fall of 2019.  He and three colleagues presented an overview of the toolkit at the National Prevention Network (NPN) Conference in Chicago in 2019.

Date: November 16, 2022 Format: Webinar   Time: 11:00 AM—12:00 PM EST Cost: FREE   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on November 16, 2022). No continuing education is available.    ABOUT THE LEARNING SESSION This 1-hour talk introduces the Invitation to Change (ITC), a model built to provide accessible and impactful practices to anyone in a helping role––be that a family member, peer support, or professional. Blending principles and practices found in three evidence-based approaches for supporting change, the ITC offers guidance on how to use them in a common language: not only to make helpers more effective but also to increase their capacity and willingness to support a person struggling with substance use.   About the Presenter: Dr. Nicole Kosanke is a licensed clinical psychologist with 20 years of experience, and works as the Director of Family Services at the Center for Motivation and Change in their outpatient division in NYC, where she specializes in the assessment and treatment of substance use disorders in individuals and families. She co-authored the award-winning book, Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change, which is a compassionate and science-based family guide for navigating the addiction treatment world, understanding motivation, and using CRAFT skills. She also contributed to The 20 Minute Guide: A Guide for Parents about How to Help their Child Change their Substance Use. She has been interviewed on radio programs and podcasts about substance use disorders, and her writing on these topics has also been featured in Huffington Post, The Observer, and Counselor Magazine. Dr. Kosanke also does trainings (like these!) for the Center for Motivation and Change's Foundation for Change, helping families respond to their loved one's substance use with evidence-based knowledge and compassion. She is a member of Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and American Association of Addiction Psychiatrists.   About the webinar: This webinar is hosted through the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center, a program funded through a cooperative agreement with SAMHSA. This webinar was planned to introduce the Invitation to Change (ITC) to prevention professionals in New England.   Certificates of participation (1 contact hour) will be awarded to participants who attend the full webinar.

Participating in continuing education, training or professional development activities are often a requirement of our jobs. We can also invest in professional development to increase our knowledge and deliver more effective services. But fitting professional development into our schedules can feel like a challenge. Plus, it’s not always clear how to determine which opportunities to select or prioritize. This two-part virtual learning event will look at professional development and certification as key steps for how prevention staff can personally build their skills and a career while remaining up-to-date in the evolving field of substance prevention. We will identify several benefits of continual learning for prevention staff, especially those new to the field, review how new research and developments in substance misuse prevention drive the need for ongoing professional development of staff, briefly explore how professional development can help prepare staff to fill any variety of career paths available, introduce the substance abuse prevention competencies as identified by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), and discuss prevention specialist certification as one step to professionalization. We will also identify resources to support individuals with preparation for certification and developing a professional development career plan. Session 2 will focus on certification as one method of professional development and provide an overview of the certification process to become a Certified Prevention Specialist. Attending both sessions is recommended but not required.

Description: SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) is an evidence-based practice that uses a preventive public health approach to identify and intervene with persons whose pattern of use puts them at risk for, or are experiencing, substance-related health problems, and/or deliver referrals to treatment for persons with a high potential for substance use disorders. This interactive training will discuss validated evidence-based tools used in SBIRT, and how to provide a brief intervention that addresses risky substance use consumption. Essential components for facilitating successful referrals to treatment services will also be discussed. Three-part Videoconference via Zoom November 14th, 16th, and 18th, 10:00am-2:00pm (Eastern Time) Trainer: Diana Padilla, MCPC, CARC, 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 twelve renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and twelve 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. Participants are required to attend all sessions in their entirety, turn on their video cameras, and actively participate in order to receive credit.

Date: November 10, 2022 Format: Webinar Contact Hours: 1.25 (NAADAC Pending) Time: 2 PM—3:30 PM ET Cost: FREE Target Audience: Prevention Professionals   OVERALL COURSE DESCRIPTION How did we assist clients and communities in preventing substance use or substance misuse? How do we meet them where they are? Substance misuse prevention is a process that attempts to prevent the onset of substance use or limit the development of problems associated with using alcohol and drugs. Sometimes, we are missing opportunities to engage and retain clients. The engagement and retention of clients are crucial elements of desired outcomes and improved experiences of substance use prevention. Utilizing a person-centered and harm reduction approach builds on respectful and responsive care to the client’s strengths, resources, needs, and values. Besides person-centered and harm reduction, this 3-part webinar series will address topics that will increase a client’s engagement and retention, understanding that healthy people produce and build healthier communities through prevention efforts to improve the health and well-being of clients. COURSE DESCRIPTION Substance use is a public health problem. This webinar will facilitate a different worldview in understanding, identifying, and treating substance use problems. It will review how social injustices impact substance use problems and knowledge of how the webinar can address those injustices in our communities. Evidence-based approaches, such as person-centered and harm reduction, will set the foundation for tackling issues that interfere with substance use prevention among individuals and communities.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES Identify the extent of substance use problems and addiction Describe social injustices, consequences associated with those injustices, and their impact on substance use prevention. Define the goals and core principles of person-centered and harm reduction approaches. Utilize person-centered and harm reduction strategies to engage and retain clients in prevention care.   PRESENTER Lisa Connors, LCPC, NCC, MAC, ABD is an Associate Pastor at In His Image International Ministry, Inc. She is a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Board-Certified Coach, Master Addiction Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Certified Grief Counseling Specialist. Ms. Connors is Certified in Thanatology [the study of death, dying, and bereavement]. She has been in the human services/social work/counseling fields for 30 years and has worked in a variety of settings providing services to the despondent and downtrodden. Ms. Connors works tirelessly to help others reach their fullest potential in life, supporting and empowering those who have been oppressed, stigmatized, marginalized, and victimized. Her greatest passion is working with, serving, and providing training related to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use and mental health disorders, violence/abuse/trauma, grief and loss, racial and social injustices. Ms. Connors is a mental health therapist providing services to individuals who have co-occurring issues. In addition to her pastoral and clinical work, Ms. Connors is a college professor. She has taught at the University of Maryland and is currently teaching at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland. Like many women of color, Ms. Connors has experienced various forms of oppression. Ms. Connors earned her Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Professional Counseling degrees, respectively, and is a Doctoral Candidate completing her Ph.D. in Psychology.      *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].

Date: November 10, 2022 Format: Webinar Contact Hours: 1.25 (NAADAC Pending) Time: 2 PM—3:30 PM ET Cost: FREE Target Audience: Prevention Professionals   OVERALL COURSE DESCRIPTION How did we assist clients and communities in preventing substance use or substance misuse? How do we meet them where they are? Substance misuse prevention is a process that attempts to prevent the onset of substance use or limit the development of problems associated with using alcohol and drugs. Sometimes, we are missing opportunities to engage and retain clients. The engagement and retention of clients are crucial elements of desired outcomes and improved experiences of substance use prevention. Utilizing a person-centered and harm reduction approach builds on respectful and responsive care to the client’s strengths, resources, needs, and values. Besides person-centered and harm reduction, this 3-part webinar series will address topics that will increase a client’s engagement and retention, understanding that healthy people produce and build healthier communities through prevention efforts to improve the health and well-being of clients. COURSE DESCRIPTION Substance use is a public health problem. This webinar will facilitate a different worldview in understanding, identifying, and treating substance use problems. It will review how social injustices impact substance use problems and knowledge of how the webinar can address those injustices in our communities. Evidence-based approaches, such as person-centered and harm reduction, will set the foundation for tackling issues that interfere with substance use prevention among individuals and communities.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES Identify the extent of substance use problems and addiction Describe social injustices, consequences associated with those injustices, and their impact on substance use prevention. Define the goals and core principles of person-centered and harm reduction approaches. Utilize person-centered and harm reduction strategies to engage and retain clients in prevention care.   PRESENTER Lisa Connors, LCPC, NCC, MAC, ABD is an Associate Pastor at In His Image International Ministry, Inc. She is a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Board-Certified Coach, Master Addiction Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Certified Grief Counseling Specialist. Ms. Connors is Certified in Thanatology [the study of death, dying, and bereavement]. She has been in the human services/social work/counseling fields for 30 years and has worked in a variety of settings providing services to the despondent and downtrodden. Ms. Connors works tirelessly to help others reach their fullest potential in life, supporting and empowering those who have been oppressed, stigmatized, marginalized, and victimized. Her greatest passion is working with, serving, and providing training related to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use and mental health disorders, violence/abuse/trauma, grief and loss, racial and social injustices. Ms. Connors is a mental health therapist providing services to individuals who have co-occurring issues. In addition to her pastoral and clinical work, Ms. Connors is a college professor. She has taught at the University of Maryland and is currently teaching at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland. Like many women of color, Ms. Connors has experienced various forms of oppression. Ms. Connors earned her Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Professional Counseling degrees, respectively, and is a Doctoral Candidate completing her Ph.D. in Psychology.      *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].

Date: November 10, 2022 Format: Webinar Contact Hours: 1.25 (NAADAC Pending) Time: 2 PM—3:30 PM ET Cost: FREE Target Audience: Prevention Professionals   OVERALL COURSE DESCRIPTION How did we assist clients and communities in preventing substance use or substance misuse? How do we meet them where they are? Substance misuse prevention is a process that attempts to prevent the onset of substance use or limit the development of problems associated with using alcohol and drugs. Sometimes, we are missing opportunities to engage and retain clients. The engagement and retention of clients are crucial elements of desired outcomes and improved experiences of substance use prevention. Utilizing a person-centered and harm reduction approach builds on respectful and responsive care to the client’s strengths, resources, needs, and values. Besides person-centered and harm reduction, this 3-part webinar series will address topics that will increase a client’s engagement and retention, understanding that healthy people produce and build healthier communities through prevention efforts to improve the health and well-being of clients. COURSE DESCRIPTION Substance use is a public health problem. This webinar will facilitate a different worldview in understanding, identifying, and treating substance use problems. It will review how social injustices impact substance use problems and knowledge of how the webinar can address those injustices in our communities. Evidence-based approaches, such as person-centered and harm reduction, will set the foundation for tackling issues that interfere with substance use prevention among individuals and communities.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES Identify the extent of substance use problems and addiction Describe social injustices, consequences associated with those injustices, and their impact on substance use prevention. Define the goals and core principles of person-centered and harm reduction approaches. Utilize person-centered and harm reduction strategies to engage and retain clients in prevention care.   PRESENTER Lisa Connors, LCPC, NCC, MAC, ABD is an Associate Pastor at In His Image International Ministry, Inc. She is a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Board-Certified Coach, Master Addiction Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Certified Grief Counseling Specialist. Ms. Connors is Certified in Thanatology [the study of death, dying, and bereavement]. She has been in the human services/social work/counseling fields for 30 years and has worked in a variety of settings providing services to the despondent and downtrodden. Ms. Connors works tirelessly to help others reach their fullest potential in life, supporting and empowering those who have been oppressed, stigmatized, marginalized, and victimized. Her greatest passion is working with, serving, and providing training related to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use and mental health disorders, violence/abuse/trauma, grief and loss, racial and social injustices. Ms. Connors is a mental health therapist providing services to individuals who have co-occurring issues. In addition to her pastoral and clinical work, Ms. Connors is a college professor. She has taught at the University of Maryland and is currently teaching at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland. Like many women of color, Ms. Connors has experienced various forms of oppression. Ms. Connors earned her Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Professional Counseling degrees, respectively, and is a Doctoral Candidate completing her Ph.D. in Psychology.      *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].