Substance misuse prevention work is inherently concerned with place. As we work to prevent substance-related harms, the community context is an important consideration when deciding where to implement prevention strategies. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS) allows users to focus on the community context with a robust set of tools supporting data visualization and analysis. The Geospatial Academy for Prevention Professionals (GAPP) will provide you the skills necessary to implement geospatial analyses of community data to communicate work to key stakeholders, assess community need, and evidence the impact of prevention initiatives. This is part 1 of a 3 part training series that will introduce you to the Quantum GIS software package, culminating in producing maps and analyses to support substance misuse prevention work in your community. Each part of the online training series is self-paced and supported by individual technical assistance. GAPP I: Introduction to GIS. GAPP II: Creating a Basic Map. GAPP III: Using Local Data to Support Prevention Goals. This 2.5 hour self-paced course will introduce participants to GIS and a free software application to implement GIS in your prevention work. This course requires you to download a free software package. Please see our disclaimer. Certificate of Completion

This 1.5 hours course provides an overview of a policy framework adopted and modified by the Southeast PTTC - The Policy Adoption Model. Prevention providers will follow the path of a fictitious prevention coalition as they develop and implement a local policy campaign. Certificate of Completion

In this 1.5 - hour video course, we discuss engaging youth prevention leaders in the virtual setting to address substance misuse prevention. By the end of this course, participants will gain an understanding of tools for communicating safely and effectively with youth, virtual project planning tools and techniques to build youth buy-in and ways to foster youth development virtually. Certificate of Completion Available

The following e-learning course provide an overview of the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) protocol for use with adolescents (ages 9 to 22). The content of this e-learning course was designed for prevention professionals, school personnel, social workers, addictions counselors, and other non-medical professionals. Course Objectives: 1. Describe what SBIRT stands for and what each component means. 2. Identify why SBIRT is relevant and important for use with adolescents and young adults. 3. Demonstrate the ability to recognize the prevalence of substance use among youth and how SBIRT can prevent longer-term problems. 4. Define standard measures of various types of drinks/alcohol to increase knowledge of baseline information and guidelines regarding moderate and high-risk alcohol use. Certificate of Completion Available

This course will cover the basics of adolescent brain development, how substance misuse can impact brain development and behavior, and how differences in age of initiation, and using other substances may influence brain development. Highlighting findings from the multisite longitudinal Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study and the University of California San Diego Department of Psychiatry’s Tobacco-Cannabis study, this course provides the latest information on research in this area. By the end of the course, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the basics of adolescent brain development. 2. Identify how adolescent substance use impacts brain development and behavior. 3. Explain how pre-existing neural differences, age of initiation, and co-occurring substance use may influence neurodevelopment in adolescent substance users. 4. Demonstrate an understanding of the ABCD Study. 5. Summarize kef findings related to the study of cannabis and nicotine in the brain. Certificate of Completion Available

This is the first course in a two-part course series. Participants will learn about the importance of gathering data for assessment and evaluation and you will learn about the types of data to gather. Key risk and protective factors associated with substance use and mental health are discussed. The course explores existing sources of data, assessment of data gaps, and options for collecting primary data at the local level. At the conclusion of this course, participants will have learned about: 1. Key risk and protective factors to assess at the individual, family, peer, school, and community levels. 2. Sources of existing data on risk and protective factors. 3. Strategies for developing a data collection plan in order to address data gaps at the local level. 1 Hour Certificate Available

During this second course in the two-part online course series, you will learn about data quality and quantity – having enough data, and having the right data. Processes for prioritizing risk and protective factors to determine which to address with prevention efforts are explored, and examples are shared. This course will conclude with recommendations for ongoing monitoring to inform evaluation efforts. At the conclusion of this course, participants will have learned about: 1. Tips for assessing the quality and quantity of the data they’ve gathered to determine readiness for prioritization and planning. 2. Prioritization processes, including how to format your data; prioritization dimensions to consider, and tips for making the process interactive and engaging. 3. The importance of ongoing data gathering and collection in order to evaluate local prevention efforts. 1 Hour Certificate Available

This course, developed by the Southeast PTTC, provides an overview of how policy change can be an effective strategy for prevention professionals to address community-level problems with alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The goal of the course is to dispel some of the concerns around policy and help community coalitions and partners see that it is feasible, do-able and most importantly, impactful. 1.0 Hour Certificate Available

This course focuses on the ways in which responding to mental health crisis and risk of suicide in a school setting presents unique challenges and considerations for mental health practitioners, educators, and parents. Participants will learn recommended best practices for assessing children and adolescents for suicide and initiating appropriate responses to youth experiencing thoughts of suicide in a K-12 school setting. Special attention is given to common screening and assessment tools used in school settings, best practices for utilizing an interdisciplinary team approach to respond to youth experiencing thoughts of suicide in a school setting, and ways to identify risk and protective factors for youth and adolescents at risk of suicide. Certificate of Completion

Suicide leads to over 47,000 preventable deaths annually in the U.S. alone. In addition, suicide has increased by 33% in the U.S. in the last two decades. While environment plays a critical role, suicide has a strong genetic component. With the unique resources available to the Utah Suicide Research Program, we have the opportunity to make significant contributions to the understanding of this genetic aspect of suicide risk, with the ultimate goal of development of personalized interventions. This course will give an update on research progress and how results may impact the future of prevention and treatment. Certificate of Completion

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. This presentation will help 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. 1.0 Hour Continuing Education Available

Higher education settings are increasingly tasked with responding to the mental health needs of students and transition age youth on campuses. This course will focus on increasing faculty and staff understanding of suicidality and best practices for supporting students and transition age youth experiencing thoughts of suicide. Particular attention will be given to identifying warning signs for suicidality, best practices for screening and referring individuals to campus based care and best practices for suicide interventions for college and transition age youth. Certificate of Completion

Participants in this course 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 course will discuss ways to build capacity and sustainability of these services in K-12 schools. Certificate of Completion

Participants in this course 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 course will discuss ways to build capacity and sustainability of these services in K-12 schools. Certificate of Completion

This 3-hour SELF-PACED course is based on the moderated Ethics in Prevention: A Guide for Substance Misuse Prevention Practitioners. This course is appropriate for anyone working in the field of substance abuse prevention. It covers key terminology, the six principles in the Prevention Code of Ethics, and a decision-making process to use when faced with an ethical dilemma. 3.0 Hours Certificate of Completion Available. *Note: this is NOT the moderated course version and cannot be used as credit hours towards IC&RC’s prevention ethics education/training requirement for prevention specialist credentialing. You must pre-register with the PTTC for a moderated version.

Join us for the fourth and final offering in our pharmacology course series. This course will explore the pharmacology of cannabis. The presenter will cover how cannabis addiction impacts major brain regions and the acute and chronic symptoms associated with cannabis use. Specific features of cannabis dependence and withdrawal will be discussed specifically symptoms that occur when a person is discontinuing its use. By the end of this course, participants will be able to: 1. Define addiction and how it impacts regions of the brain. 2. Describe the acute and chronic effects of cannabis use and withdrawal. 1.5 Hour Certificate of Completion Available

The major focus of this online course is to discuss how opioid misuse and overdose prevention strategies can be coordinated with efforts around infectious disease control in order to improve data collection, align resources, increase access to focus populations, and address shared risk and protective factors. By the end of this course, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the current intersections between the opioid epidemic and the increases in infectious disease. 2. Share evidence-based and promising interventions for addressing the epidemic. 3. Identify potential roles for prevention practitioners. 3.0 Hour Certificate of Completion Available

Join us for the first offering in this informative pharmacology course series. This course will explore the pharmacology of alcohol. The presenter will cover how alcohol addiction impacts major brain regions and the acute and chronic symptoms associated with alcohol use. Specific features of alcohol dependence and withdrawal will be discussed. Additionally, we will discuss alcohol use during pregnancy and the categories of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). By the end of this course, participants will be able to: 1. Define alcohol addiction and list the components that influence stigma. 2. Describe the acute and chronic effects of alcohol use. 1.5 Hour Certificate of Completion Available

This course will explore the pharmacology of opioids. The presenter will cover how opioid addiction impacts major brain regions and the acute and chronic symptoms associated with opioid use. Specific features of opioid dependence and withdrawal will be discussed specifically symptoms that occur when a person is discontinuing their use. By the end of this course, participants will be able to: 1. Define addiction and how it impacts regions of the brain. 2. Describe the acute and chronic effects of opioid use and withdrawal. 1.5 Hour Certificate of Completion Available

Join us for the third offering in our pharmacology course series. This course will explore the pharmacology of psychostimulants with a focus on cocaine and methamphetamines. The presenter will cover how psychostimulant addiction impacts major brain regions and the acute and chronic symptoms associated with cocaine and methamphetamine use. Specific features of psychostimulant dependence and withdrawal will be discussed specifically symptoms that occur when a person is discontinuing their use. By the end of the course, participants will be able to: 1. Define addiction and how it impacts regions of the brain. 2. Describe the acute and chronic effects of cocaine and methamphetamine use and withdrawal. 1.5 Hour Certificate of Completion Available

Cannabis laws and policies are rapidly changing in states. Various decriminalization, medical marijuana, and adult-use marijuana policies are being debated and moving through state legislatures and ballot boxes. Amid all of this change, where does prevention fit in? This course shows participants how these policies can evolve, the implications for public health and safety, and how and where prevention fits in. Participants will learn from a presenter with hands-on experience both in prevention and shaping marijuana policies. Additionally, participants will learn about the marijuana prevention training and technical assistance services from the New England PTTC. Certificate of Completion Available

In this 1-hour webinar, Carlos Morales will discuss Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the importance of providing accessible educational materials to the prevention work force. By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to: Define Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Identify audiences impacted by Section 508; Define accessibility of information; and, Identify ways to increase Section 508 compliance within own work. Developed by the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network's Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Practices Workgroup which is working on efforts to decrease health disparities across the country. 1.0 Hour Certificate of Completion Available

This 1-hour self-paced webinar, Informing Prevention: Vaping Among Adolescents (Part 6 of 6), is for any health, oral health, and behavioral health student or professional. During this webinar you will learn about the rates of vaping among adolescents and why adolescents vape. You will learn the social and biological consequences of vaping. Lastly, you will learn how to prevent adolescents from vaping. 1.0 Hours Continuing Education Credit Available, NAADAC

This is a self-paced course. During this webinar you will understand the complexity of adolescent brain development. You will understand adolescent vulnerabilities to substance-use. Additionally, you will increase your knowledge of strategies for preventing adolescent substance-use disorder. 1.0 Hours Continuing Education Credit Available, NAADAC