Past Events

Crisis Response Planning for Suicidal Patients: an Introduction Presenter: Criag J. Bryan, PsyD, ABPP April 29th, 2020 @ 11:00 am MT (10:00 PT/12:00 CT/1:00 ET) A widely-used strategy for managing acute suicide risk is the contract for safety, also known as the no-suicide contract. Despite its widespread use across mental health and medical settings, accumulating consensus is that this approach may be ineffective. Alternative strategies such as crisis response planning or the related safety planning intervention have therefore been proposed. Written on an index card, the crisis response plan outlines simple steps for a suicidal individual to follow when in a crisis. Results of a recently completed randomized clinical trial show that crisis response planning reduces suicide attempts by 75% as compared to the contract for safety, thereby supporting the method’s efficacy. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of crisis response planning, and to differentiate the method from other, less effective means for managing suicide risk.  

Virtual Learning Lab Description: The purpose of the virtual learning lab is to expand on the information delivered in the presentation, “Applying Prevention Science to Practice: A Collaborative Opportunity”.  The virtual learning lab will provide an opportunity for conversation between prevention professionals, guided by facilitators, to provide a greater level of detail and understanding into the key concepts of the topics addressed. Anticipated goals of virtual learning lab include; increased knowledge transfer, increased network development, opportunities to trouble-shoot real life items.   This webinar series is a product from the National PTTC Evidenced-Based Interventions (EBI) Work Group which exists to promote the effective selection and implementation of evidence-based interventions for prevention professionals and stakeholders, in order to provide services with fidelity t hat are culturally intelligent and result in positive outcomes. 

The purpose of the virtual learning lab is to expand on the information delivered in the presentation, “Applying Prevention Science to Practice: A Collaborative Opportunity”.  The virtual learning lab will provide an opportunity for conversation between prevention professionals, guided by facilitators, to provide a greater level of detail and understanding into the key concepts of the topics addressed. Anticipated goals of virtual learning lab include; increased knowledge transfer, increased network development, opportunities to trouble-shoot real life items.               

  The New England PTTC Prevention in Action webinar series features successful prevention programs throughout New England. In this webinar, So-Po Unite will describe their efforts to create a restorative substance use policy. The South Portland School Department revised the substance use policy from out of school suspension to restorative response in May 2018. The ripple effect has been outstanding! Students are held accountable and underlying causes of substance use are addressed. Students complete an assessment and meet with the social worker, staff and parents to create a response plan: academic support, prevention education and community service. At the re-entry meeting, students have the opportunity to repair the harm they may have caused and plan for moving forward. Over 40 school staff took a 37.5 hour course in restorative mindset and a full-time coordinator works with students. An alcohol and drug counselor provides clinical assessments. Our athletic code is now restorative; athletes are not kicked off the team and can still attend practices. Our policy has informed Maine’s Department of Education and is now the model policy for all schools!   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on April 28, 2020). No continuing education is available. 

Due to concerns about COVID-19 this in person event has been cancelled. Sessions will now be offered virtually.   Please contact Kris Kelly ([email protected]) with any questions. Thank you for your understanding    Recovery Coaching a Harm Reduction Pathway is a training curriculum developed to address a fundamental gap of knowledge, skills and competencies essential for addressing populations affected by substance use. RCHRP does not provide harm reduction training techniques, rather, it focuses on informing peer-based recovery support service staff about working with those who are often overlooked between the silos of care within the behavioral and primary health continuum.   Intended Audience:  Active or prospective peer recovery coaches; Recovery Community Organization personnel; recovery housing service providers; substance use disorder treatment providers; medical and psychiatric services providers; peers and family members in recovery. * Completion of a recognized 30-46-hour recovery coaching fundamentals training, such as MRC Recovery Coach Academy or CCAR Recovery Coach Academy, is strongly suggested.  

  The National American Indian & Alaska Native PTTC will be holding virtual sessions to support our Native communities in these challenging times. Our first session will include a time of listening when you can share thoughts and concerns about the current needs and challenges that your communities and programs are facing, as well as bringing up topics you would like us to cover in future sessions. We hope these meetings will be supportive and helpful, and that we can help connect you with the resources you need. Also feel free to reach out to Cindy Sagoe in advance to let her know if there are any topics you specifically want us to be prepared to address. We hope each and every one of you are staying safe and we look forward to connecting with you soon! - Your National American Indian & Alaska Native PTTC team in collaboration with tribal leaders

  Join Scott Gagnon, Director of the New England PTTC as he interviews Dr. Matt Bellace during this one-hour special. This engaging hour-long discussion will involve comedy and inspiring stories, in addition to demonstrating Matt’s style when presenting to and communication with youth, especially during a time of social distancing and self-isolation. Since 1995, Matt Bellace has been traveling the country as a professional speaker and stand-up comedian. He has spoken in 47 states to a wide range of audiences, including SEAL Team Six and survivors of Sandy Hook. Dr. Bellace has a PhD in clinical neuropsychology and trained at both the National Institutes of Mental Health and the traumatic brain and spinal cord injury units of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He is the author of the book, “A Better High,” contributing author for National Geographic Kids.   For this hour-long conversation, we asked Matt some viewer-submitted questions that covered a variety of topics, with a focus on how to help youth and adults cope with stress, how to remain engaged with youth, and tips and pointers on how to use humor to engage in prevention conversations.    Webinar Recording

Pacific Southwest PTTC COVID-19 Listening Sessions: How Can We Support Your Prevention Work in this Changing Environment? Many states and jurisdictions are implementing variations of shelter-in-place orders and are strongly encouraging social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As a result, many people are now working from home. This presents new challenges and opportunities for our work in preventing substance misuse and its harmful consequences. To best understand how the Pacific Southwest PTTC can respond to your emerging workforce needs, we are providing several options to hear from you about exactly what those needs are.   You can complete a brief survey by clicking here. You can participate in an open-ended, 60-minute listening session (more details and registration below Complete the survey and join a listening session!   The Pacific Southwest PTTC will be offering one hour, open-ended listening sessions so that we can prioritize new training opportunities and resources to best address your emerging needs. During these sessions, we will be asking a few questions and listening to your thoughts and ideas. We will limit the number of people who can register per session so that all participants have the opportunity to share their concerns and needs. To help guide your thinking, here are the broad questions we will be asking you to respond to:    What challenges are you facing regarding your work in preventing substance misuse? What training do you need to help address these challenges? What resources do you need to help address these challenges (types of resources, topics)? Where are the opportunities in these challenges?   Please register here to join us for one of our upcoming listening sessions!   Option 1:  (FULL) Wednesday, April 15, 2020 Pacific Time (including Arizona):  11:00 am  Hawaiian Time:  8:00 am American Samoa Time: 7:00 am Option 2:   Thursday, April 16, 2020 Pacific Time (including Arizona):  4:00 pm  Hawaiian Time:  1:00 pm American Samoan Time:  12:00 pm Friday, April 17, 2020 Republic of the Marshall Islands:  11:00 am Pohnpei, Kosrae:  10:00 am  Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, Yap:  9:00 am Republic of Palau:  8:00 am Option 3:   Tuesday, April 21, 2020 Pacific Time (including Arizona):  12:00 pm  Hawaiian Time:  9:00 am American Samoan Time: 8:00 am Option 4:   Wednesday, April 22, 2020 Pacific Time (including Arizona):  4:00 pm  Hawaiian Time:  1:00 pm American Samoan Time:  12:00 pm Thursday, April 23, 2020 Republic of the Marshall Islands:  11:00 am Pohnpei, Kosrae:  10:00 am  Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, Yap:  9:00 am Republic of Palau:  8:00 am

  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Technology Transfer Centers (TTC) purpose is to develop and strengthen the specialized behavioral healthcare and primary healthcare workforce that provides prevention, treatment and recovery support services for substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness.   The SAMHSA TTC program is comprised of three networks, the Addiction Technology Transfer Centers (ATTC), the Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC) and the Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTC) which have regional centers, a national coordinating center, an American Indian & Alaska Native Focused Center, and a Hispanic & Latino focused Center. The TTCs provide in-depth technical assistance, live and online trainings, and develop resources and tools on many behavioral health topics.   This forum will feature a facilitated panel with representatives from the New England ATTC, MHTTC and PTTC who will share about their center’s prioritize and what they offer to Maine. Round table discussions with the centers and audience will follow the panel, with the goal of defining and sharing about the educational and technical assistance needs of Maine’s workforce.   Objectives Identify training needs for the behavioral health field Increase coordination between the centers and Maine’s workforce Build cross collaboration across the spectrum of behavioral health   Note: This event and forum discussion will focus specifically on the Maine behavioral health workforce, but registration is open to anyone.

Date: April 22, 2020 Format: Webinar Contact Hours: 1 NAADAC Time: 1 PM—2 PM ET Cost: FREE Event Flyer: Click here   COURSE DESCRIPTION Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to make choices that lead to optimal health. The places where people are born, live, learn, work, play, and age are known as the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). These conditions are primarily responsible for health inequities and shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels. This 2-part webinar developed by the Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) will provide background on the SDOH, how SDOH impact behavioral health, prevention, and wellness efforts for healthier communities. In addition, this series will increase the capacity of the prevention workforce to create innovative partnerships and collaborations through addressing the social determinants of health for improved population health outcomes for all.   Part I Webinar Goal: Participants will understand the basic tenets of the social determinants of health and its impact on behavioral health, prevention, and wellness efforts. Participants will critically examine the role of neighborhood conditions, education, socio-economic, and socio-political climate. This training will strengthen participants understanding of the social determinants of health and their role in shaping prevention efforts of diverse populations.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES Provide an overview of the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Define and differentiate health equity terminology Review the five areas of the Social Determinants of Health and how they impact health outcomes Review and summarize the significance of SDOH to increase health and wellness PRESENTER Dawn Thomas is currently a Prevention Systems Manager with the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (OhioMHAS). She is highly experienced in event planning, program development, coordination and implementation as well as fostering and promoting close working relationships between state, county and local social service systems/agencies.She has more than 25 years of public service that has focused on prevention, training, mental health and other social services programming for adults as well as students. Dr. Thomas is an Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant, with a Ph.D. in Health Education from the University of Cincinnati.Additionally Thomas she has served as a Consultant and presented numerous trainings and workshops at a wide array of venues and conferences that include but are not limited to: SAMHSA, The National Prevention Network Conference, and the Ohio Society for Public health Education.    

School-Based Suicide Prevention Interventions for K-12 Population Presenter: Aaron Fischer, PhD April 22nd, 2020 @11:00 am MT (10:00 PT/12:00 CT/1:00 ET) Participants in this webinar will learn the youth suicide prevalence nationally and the implications to schools. They will also be able to familiarize themselves with multi-tiered systems of positive behavior and social emotional learning. In addition, how the multi-tiered systems support the prevention of suicide. Finally, the webinar will discuss ways to build capacity and sustainability of these services in K-12 schools.  

While evidence-based approaches to prevention are being strongly supported by policy makers of late, it isn’t always clear what this means and how it might relate to your own work in the field. This webinar will provide an overview of prevention science and how it has brought about the development not only of effective prevention programs but also to the planning and implementation of these. Evidence-based programs have been shown through rigorous research to be successful at reducing risky and unhealthy behaviors across the life span. This course will describe how the science contributes to our understanding of the etiology and prevention of substance use and related behaviors, examples of some of the most effective interventions and policies.            

Self-Care in a Selfless Field Webinar Presented by: Anna Purkey, M.Ed. & Jana Sill, M.Ed, Dept. of Educational Psychology, College of Education, University of Utah Tuesday, April 21, 2020 @ 11:00 am MST (10:00 am PST/12:00 pm CST/1:00 pm EST) We are currently living in unprecedented and difficult times. Prevention specialists, in addition to experiencing the current global pandemic, also listen to painful and distressing experiences which can lead to compassion fatigue and burnout. Please join us to learn more about possible signs of burnout, how to implement self-care practices to your daily life, and receive available resources to combat the effects of work-related stress. Click here for Self-Care in a Selfless Field Recorded Webinar, Presentation, and Resources  

Please join us for part three, Planning of the seven-part series covering the steps of the Strategic Prevention Framework. Learn more and register for the entire series here: https://pttcnetwork.org/centers/south-southwest-pttc/event/webinar-series-pfs-academy-2020-making-steps-strategic   Identify ways to prioritize risk and protective factors associated with the substance misuse problems that have been identified in Step 1: Assessment Describe how to select appropriate interventions to address each priority factor Identify how to ensure a comprehensive prevention approach Explain the components of a logic model that can be shared with stakeholders.   Prevention contact hours available to those who register and complete this webinar.      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.

This is a two-part webinar, taking place on Monday, April 20, 2020 & Wednesday, April 22, 2020. You must register for each part separately. Course Description: This interactive, on-line training will review and make relevant the key concepts of Motivational Interviewing. Participants will explore how and when to employ this evidence based practice to support behavior change. Tailored case scenarios will be used to provide hands on, in real time, practice opportunities focusing on substance-misuse-prevention conversations. Trainer: Paul Warren, LMSW Cost: Free 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). The NJ Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services offers reciprocity for CADC, LCADC, and LPC. Participants must attend both sessions in their entirety in order to receive a Certificate of Completion. Click here to register for Monday, April 20, 2020 Click here to register for Wednesday, April 22, 2020

This event has been postponed. Please check back soon or email [email protected] for more information. Thank you.   Click here to view the Event Flyer!   DESCRIPTION: The goal is to train Native American and Alaska Native substance abuse prevention practitioners and those working in Native American and Alaska Native communities in related disciplines to develop the knowledge and skills needed address substance use prevention and provide effective prevention services to their communities using the strategic prevention framework. This training requires completion of an online portion (5 hours) prior to attending the four-day face-to-face training.   PARTICIPANT INFORMATION: • This training is free • Limited space for 35 participants (please don't book flights until your registration is confirmed) • Participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and food • Participants will receive a certificate representing the total number of attended training hours. These can be submitted to participants’ local credentialing authority toward prevention certification or re-certification. We are a NAADAC certified educational provider.

Native American Summit on Spirituality: Cultural Inclusion into Mental Health Assessments for Native Americans Please note: This is a series of virtual meetings that have been announced in place of our original face-to-face event, which will be rescheduled. Click the registration button above to register for our third virtual session on April 17 from 2-4pm EDT, 1-3pm CDT, 12-2pm MDT, 11am-1pm PDT, 10am-12pm ADT.  The American Indian and Alaska Native ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC have invited spiritual leaders from American Indian and Alaska Native communities to come together to discuss the importance of spirituality in the treatment of behavioral health and mental health disorders. Spirituality is often left out of counseling and therapeutic relationships, but is an essential part of healing and change for many clients.  Behavioral health, mental health, and addiction treatment professionals, spiritual leaders, social workers, and other health service professionals are welcome to attend this important discussion on methods for integrating spirituality into their work with clients.

  The National American Indian & Alaska Native PTTC will be holding virtual sessions to support our Native communities in these challenging times. Our first session will include a time of listening when you can share thoughts and concerns about the current needs and challenges that your communities and programs are facing, as well as bringing up topics you would like us to cover in future sessions. We hope these meetings will be supportive and helpful, and that we can help connect you with the resources you need. Also feel free to reach out to Cindy Sagoe in advance to let her know if there are any topics you specifically want us to be prepared to address. We hope each and every one of you are staying safe and we look forward to connecting with you soon! - Your National American Indian & Alaska Native PTTC team in collaboration with tribal leaders

Program Description: There is an alarming rise in the number of American teens and adults who are trying vaping. It is reversing the hard-fought declines achieved in the use nicotine. Vaping may pose serious and avoidable effects on health and brain development and the potential for addiction in youth. This Project ECHO will bring expert faculty together with groups from across New England who are focusing their efforts on substance use prevention to share knowledge and strategies to further their efforts to reduce vaping and its associated harms through case-based learning. This Project ECHO® on reducing vaping is first of a series of ECHO Projects to be initiated by the NEPTTC. Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is an evidence-based distance learning method developed by researchers at the University of New Mexico. The 9-month program begins in October 2019 with monthly sessions between October and May.   Learning Objectives: Speed the dissemination and adoption of prevention evidence-based protocols, guidelines and practices. Share prevention efforts that are occurring across the communities in New England. Build prevention capacity across communities/states. Promote the ability to collect and analyze data.  

This event has been postponed. Please check back soon or email [email protected] for more information. Thank you.   Click here to view the event flyer!   The Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) brings together the whole community to build the capacity necessary to sustain a community-wide effort to address and prevent community-identified issues using the four elements of belonging, mastery, interdependence and generosity to incorporate the values of human growth and responsibility that are found in Native cultures. This training is offered in partnership with the American Indian Women’s Center.   PARTICIPANT INFORMATION: • This training is free to tribal members • Participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and food • Participants will receive a certificate representing the total number of attended training hours. These can be submitted to participants’ local credentialing authority toward prevention certification or re-certification. We are a NAADAC certified educational provider.

  Join us to discuss the risk factors associated with isolation, how isolation leads to the use of substances, and how that use of substances leads to further isolation. We will discuss some protective and preventive strategies we can implement when our normal modes of prevention are unavailable to us, like during the social distancing procedures of COVID 19. After Leslie Clark, Executive Director of the Portland Recovery Community Center, speaks to these issues, we will have a conversation where participants will be encouraged to connect around the topics discussed. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, offer resources and strategies they are using, and find connection during a time our whole society is facing isolation.

Part 1: Understanding How to Leverage Telehealth Technology for Prevention Services Presenter: Aaron Fischer, PhD, BCBA-D Wednesday, April 15, 2020 @ 2:00 pm MT (1:00 pm PT/3:00 pm CT/4:00 pm ET) This webinar will support prevention providers by highlighting tools and features of service delivery, through videoconferencing platforms. Participants will also learn how to use this technology to engage in direct prevention efforts, as well as indirect prevention efforts, by supporting coalitions, caregivers, and school staff. The following are the objectives for the webinar: Participants will understand various features of videoconferencing platforms Participants will be able to describe ways the technology tools can facilitate prevention services Participants will learn how to leverage telehealth to support coalitions, caregivers, and school staff See Part 2: Legal and Ethical Considerations for Telehealth Prevention We are closely collaborating across the Technology Transfer Center (TTC) Network in response to COVID-19.  There are a number of telehealth related products, webinars, virtual discussion sessions, and web resource pages being developed across the three Technology Transfer Centers (TTCs).  We are all doing our best to ensure we avoid duplication, and we recognize that some overlap in activities and resources related to this topic is understandable.  We realize the need for information and training across the workforce that provides prevention, treatment and recovery support services for substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness is vast. You can access the events calendar and the products calendar through the Technology Transfer Center (TTC) landing page and see a listing of all events and products across the three networks. https://techtransfercenters.org/landing