Find opportunities to learn more about trauma-informed care
February 2026
February 2nd
10am - 11am
While consistently focused on helping others, professionals can experience challenges in practicing self-care for themselves. This brief, interactive conversation is an opportunity to intentionally prioritize worker wellness, review practices, and experience the benefits of intentional and simple self-care actions.
February 2nd, 9th, 16th, & 23rd
7pm - 8:15pm
Invitation to Change February Sessions
Participants will use the Invitation to Change Approach (ITC) to reflect on what it means to help, reimagine the role that loved ones can play in the change process, and learn evidence-supported strategies for helping a loved one struggling with substances. This group is geared towards families of those struggling with substance use, but anyone is welcome to join. Series meets Mondays in February.
February 3rd
9am - 11am
Foundations of Stage-Wise Treatment
This training introduces behavioral and physical healthcare professionals to the foundational principles of stagewise treatment, including assessment of readiness, stage-specific interventions, and strategies to facilitate progression through the stages of change.
February 3rd
9am - 12:15pm
An Introduction to the Brain’s Addiction Pathway (AOD)
Understanding the role our brains play in addiction is crucial for all prevention professionals, regardless of their background in neuroscience or addiction studies. Why, you might ask? This training is the perfect opportunity to find out! Designed as an introductory course for prevention professionals, participants will embark on a fascinating exploration of the brain's inner workings, focusing on the reward circuit and its relevance to prevention work. Throughout the session, we'll uncover how substances can hijack our brain's reward circuit, leading to the formation of addiction pathways. We'll break down these pathways and relate them to the developmental stage of adolescence and conclude with an examination of language and stigma while providing practical tips for reducing stigma. Discover how this knowledge can empower us in our prevention work. (P2)
February 3rd
2pm - 3:15pm
Empowering Rural Communities: Overcoming Barriers to Treatment
Rural communities face unique challenges in addressing substance use disorders, from limited access to care and transportation barriers to social labeling and workforce shortages. This webinar will explore innovative, community-driven strategies that are helping rural areas expand treatment access and build recovery-ready environments. Attendees will gain insights into successful models such as mobile clinics, telehealth, peer support networks, and faith-based partnerships, along with practical tools and resources to take action locally.
February 3rd & 5th
1pm - 2:30pm
De-escalation, Basic Tools for Social Workers (2-part)
Difficult moments don’t have to grow into "incidents" that can threaten client engagement and retention. This workshop is designed to equip participants with basic concepts and preparatory actions that can be used to de-escalate a wide range of interactions.
February 4th
9am - 12:15pm
Motivational Interviewing (MI) emphasizes the importance of a collaborative, person-centered approach, highlighting how providers’ self-awareness and responsiveness can enhance clients’ readiness and commitment to change. Key elements of the MI-consistent change process, including eliciting change talk, responding to ambivalence, and fostering autonomy, will be introduced and practiced within the context of diverse behavioral and physical healthcare settings. Participants will also identify behaviors that may inadvertently lead to disengagement or resistance and develop strategies to remove barriers to effective, client-centered practice.
February 5th & 6th
12pm - 7pm
Engagement in the Black Community
Join prominent industry professionals and discuss critical issues in the Black community relevant to treatment and recovery. Multi-session summit.
February 5th
9am - 10am
Beyond the Birthdate - Treating Substance Use in Older Adults
Substance use among older adults is a growing yet often overlooked concern in both behavioral health care and physical health care. This one-hour training will provide participants with an understanding of the unique factors that contribute to substance use in later life, including physical health changes, loss, social isolation, and medication interactions. The session will also address how stigma—both societal and internalized—impacts help-seeking behaviors and engagement in treatment. (C2)
February 5th
2pm - 3pm
Community Health and Wellbeing Webinar: Pregnant & Parenting
This webinar will examine the challenges that pregnant and parenting peers face in accessing and receiving recovery support services. Participants will explore the factors that contribute to disparities in health outcomes and discuss strategies to better support this population through peer-led and community-based approaches.
February 5th
2pm - 3:30pm
Selecting Effective, Evidence-based Substance Misuse Prevention
Every community is unique, and so are its substance misuse prevention needs. But how do you identify which substance misuse prevention programs, practices, and strategies that will work for your community? This interactive workshop will equip you with practical skills to identify, evaluate, and select evidence-based substance misuse prevention interventions that align with your specific community context.
February 5th, 12th, & 19th
2pm - 3pm
Creating Calm: Effective Engagement with People Who are Distressed
Many of the people we interact with are actively experiencing high levels of distress. This may be due to health conditions, poverty, family challenges, or other life stressors. The Creating Calm training series will focus on attendees’ experiences and provide concrete tools for engaging with clients in distress. This training will be exclusively for the Staff of Berman Center and will engage in dialogue with participants regarding their specific needs related to engaging individuals who are experiencing distress.
February 6th
11am - 12:30pm
Selecting Effective, Evidence -Based Strategies for Substance Misuse Prevention
Every community is unique, and so are its substance misuse prevention needs. But how do you identify which substance misuse prevention programs, practices, and strategies that will work for your community? This interactive workshop will equip you with practical skills to identify, evaluate, and select evidence-based substance misuse prevention interventions that align with your specific community context.
February 6th
12pm
Bridging the Access in Care for Those Experiencing Homelessness
This session is part of NAHEWD's national webinar series Bridging HIV and SUD: Innovations in the Field. The series will highlight various innovative models and approaches to treating substance use disorder (SUD) in people at risk for and living with HIV. This session focuses on exploring the gaps that exist in healthcare for those who experience homelessness with strategies to bridge those gaps.
February 10th
9:30am - 12:30pm
Person-Centered and Trauma-Responsive Approaches to Empower Wellness
An essential attribute of professionals is the heart and tenacity they bring to communities they help. It is that heart that is constantly exposed to traumatic client experiences placing staff at high risk of emotional depletion, impacting their own wellbeing and ability to provide empathetic person-centered quality services. This interactive learning session will focus on trauma-informed principles and person-centered strategies that encourage stigma-free language and other safety-empowering opportunities for people served
February 10th, 12th, 17th, & 19th
10am - 3pm
This virtual Prevention Core Competencies course covers a wide variety of topics including substance misuse prevention science, community organization, needs and resource assessment, evidence-based interventions, and more. The Prevention Core Competencies and accompanying knowledge, skills, and abilities offer professional direction to the prevention field, affecting staff development and career ladders and pipelines, and providing guidance for training programs and service delivery qualification.
February 10th
1pm - 2:30pm
Many Paths, One Objective: Recovery
This technical assistance training examines how clinical providers and peer recovery support specialists are expanding their evidence-based roles to enhance recovery and prevention efforts within communities. By integrating social, emotional, physical, and spiritual supports, these professionals create protective factors that reduce challenges and promote resilience before crises escalate. Grounded in recovery-oriented best practices, the session highlights how peers and clinicians collaborate to support individuals and families by integrating prevention into recovery planning. Through community-based and whole-person and spiritual approaches, participants will learn how to incorporate prevention strategies into their everyday practice to address real-world challenges, such as limited access to care and differences in treatment experiences or outcomes.
February 10th
1pm - 3pm
Motivational Interviewing for the Prevention Professional
Dive into the world of Motivational Interviewing (MI), a collaborative, person-centered style of communication designed to strengthen a person's own motivation for and commitment to change. This presentation will equip you with practical, evidence-based skills to help your participants explore and resolve ambivalence. We will understand real tangible motivational interviewing tools, giving you the confidence needed to implement this communication tool. Motivational Interviewing is a powerful communication method whether you are administering SBIRT/other screening processes, or just supporting youth through your prevention programming. (P3).
February 10th
2pm - 3pm
This session will explore Positive Community Norms (PCN), Personalized Normative Feedback (PNF) and Personalized Feedback Interventions (PFI) and how these three concepts flow naturally to create tailored prevention efforts for college students and young adults.
February 11th
9am - 11am
From Storytime to Strategy: Lessons from Kids’ Programming for Effective Prevention
This course explores how the principles of children’s programming can transform prevention practice. Participants will discover how simplicity, storytelling, repetition, and emotional literacy—hallmarks of shows like Sesame Street and Bluey—can make prevention messages more engaging and effective. Through short videos, reflection activities, and creative applications, learners will connect childhood learning strategies to real-world prevention challenges. By the end, participants will leave with practical tools to communicate prevention concepts with clarity, warmth, and impact. (P2)
February 11th & 18th
10am - 11:30am
Part 1 training introduces the critical foundations of adolescent substance use as a pediatric public health issue, highlighting how early experimentation can progress into misuse or addiction across a wide range of substances. Participants will learn how to identify early warning signs, apply developmentally appropriate screening tools such as CRAFFT, and recognize the clinical features of intoxication, withdrawal, and toxicity associated with cannabis, stimulants, opioids, inhalants, synthetics, and more. This session prepares clinicians and behavioral health providers to confidently evaluate risk and respond effectively to substance-related presentations among adolescents.
Part 2 training focuses on the expanding landscape of synthetic substances, club drugs, and new fads in adolescent substance misuse. Participants will learn to recognize key clinical signs of intoxication, withdrawal, and overdose, and will gain practical strategies for rapid assessment, stabilization, and acute management. The session equips clinicians and behavioral health providers to identify risk quickly, ensure safety, and connect adolescents and families to appropriate treatment and recovery supports.
February 11th
11am - 4pm
Crisis Response Plan (CRP) Workshop
Crisis Response Planning is a strategy designed to assist an individual who might be at risk for suicide by offering alternative self-selected actions and activities they can use in times of crisis. Peers, friends, family and clinical providers can support the planning process and provide solid options which they can utilize during different phases of a suicidal crisis. This workshop is designed to enhance individuals’ knowledge about CRP for managing suicide risk, and to increase their ability to administer this intervention confidently and competently with at-risk individuals.
February 11th
12pm - 1:30pm
Navigating Ethical Boundaries: Decision Making for Peer Support Specialists and Addiction Counselors
This interactive training covers the 2025 updates to the NAADAC Code of Ethics and provides practical tools for ethical decision-making in behavioral health. Using real-world case studies, participants will explore boundary management, dual relationships, ethical self-disclosure, and strategies to prevent burnout and countertransference. Learn to apply a seven-step decision-making model, use culturally responsive approaches, and maintain client welfare and professional integrity.
February 11th
1pm- 2pm
Adolescent Cannabis Use: A Practical Guide for Families, Caregivers, and Child Welfare Professionals
Adolescents involved in the child welfare system are disproportionately affected by substance use, including cannabis. Yet, despite our rapidly evolving political and cultural landscape, myths and misconceptions about cannabis remain widespread. This session will provide a practical overview of adolescent cannabis use, including trends, risk factors, impacts on development, and additional considerations for families, caregivers, and professional in the child welfare system. Attendees will also learn how to screen for adolescent substance use, apply harm reduction strategies, and encourage youth to cut back, quit, or engage in substance use disorder treatment.
February 11th
1pm - 2:30pm
The Mind-Risk Connection How Mental Health Can Influence Substance Use
Mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, or ADHD can increase the risk that a young person turns to nicotine, alcohol, or other drugs to cope. Substance use can also trigger or worsen mental health struggles. When both happen together, it is called co-occurring disorders. In this webinar, Linda Richter, PhD, with Partnership to End Addiction, explains this connection and shares warning signs and ways to support your child and reduce risk.
February 11th
1pm - 2:30pm
CALM Conversations - Counseling on Access to Lethal Means
Many people do not access behavioral or physical health care despite having thoughts of being at risk of suicide. Yet many of them signal to others – directly or indirectly – that they are struggling. This interactive workshop will provide friends, family, and others with information on how to recognize and respond to suicide risk, with an additional focus on reducing access to lethal means – especially firearms. Participants learn to talk with someone who might have these thoughts in a collaborative, non-judgmental, and supportive manner.
February 11th & 13th
1pm - 2:30pm
Effective Sharing of ‘Lived Experience’ While Maintaining Boundaries (2-part)
Goals: To provide a space for workforce members with ‘lived experience’ to reflect on the especially important contributions that they make in the lives of the people they support and guide. To explore the balance of self-disclosure that can best meet the needs of people in care. To review a person-centered method of sharing information or offering our own story.
February 11th
1pm - 4:15pm
From Vision to Victory: Writing Clear Goals, Objectives, & Outcomes That Speak Volumes to Funders
The goals and objectives section of your grant proposal can make or break your request for funding. This section of your proposal describes what your organization hopes to accomplish with your project and spells out the specific results or outcomes you plan to achieve. Ultimately, it also defines the funder’s Return on Investment – or ROI – that will enhance the competitiveness of your proposal and increase your likelihood of winning an award! This session for intermediate prevention professionals will help you understand the terminology for goals, objectives, and outcomes, and the differences between the three measures. As a bonus, it will also provide you with a foundation to better evaluate your prevention programming! (PS2)
February 11th
4pm - 5pm
Navigating Risk When Risk is Everywhere
It’s easy to become overwhelmed, distracted, and even disheartened by the concerning possibilities facing many nonprofit organizations. This webinar takes a fresh look at the concept of risk and offers practical ways to reflect and act in the face of troubling risks while keeping your mission at the forefront. Learn how to harness worry into action plans that will build mission resilience and ready your team for what’s next.
February 12th
12pm - 1:30pm
Substance exposure during adolescence can profoundly impact the developing brain and body and must be considered within a developmental framework to craft the most effective prevention and intervention approaches. This presentation provides an overview of substance use among youth focusing primarily on the risks for adolescent development. We will review evidence-based screening and assessment strategies and learn how to implement validated tools, interpret screening results, and integrate findings into clinical decision-making. Comorbidity with trauma and mental health disorders will be highlighted. We will also consider family systems in the development and recovery from substance use disorders for youth.
February 12th
2pm - 3pm
Community Health and Wellbeing Webinar: Veterans
This webinar will explore the unique experiences and challenges that veterans face when seeking substance use and recovery support services. Participants will discuss factors that influence access and engagement, consider the role of peer support within veteran communities, and examine approaches that foster connection, trust, and effective pathways to wellbeing.
February 13th
9:30am - 12:30pm
Overdose Grief, Loss, and Healing Supports
How do we respond to the emotional and psychological toll the overdose of a client or resident has on professionals and peers? What are the best ways to support both staff and clients? This interactive session will review some of the main issues that arise when residents in recovery environments experience and don’t survive a recurrence. Content will review the behavioral, physical, and psychological responses to grief, self-care and coping strategies. Discussion will also review overdose postvention activities that can help support those staff and other residents impacted by overdose loss.
February 16th
9am - 3:30pm
Mental Health First Aid - Adult Certification
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a skills-based certification that helps adults identify warning signs of mental health and substance use challenges and take appropriate action to support others. This training, hosted by Prevention Rocks, is open to adults who want to strengthen their ability to recognize, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges.
February 16th
1pm - 4:15pm
Building a Thriving Workplace: Cultivating a Healthy Organizational Culture
A healthy organizational culture is the foundation of a thriving, successful workplace. This training is designed to guide intermediate prevention professionals through the essential components of creating and sustaining a positive, productive environment where employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered. Participants will learn the key elements that contribute to a healthy organizational culture, including leadership practices, communication strategies, employee well-being, and the alignment of organizational values with daily actions. This training is perfect for those who want to create a vibrant, healthy workplace that motivates and inspires employees to perform at their best. (PS2)
February 17th
1pm - 2:30pm
Advocating for Change: How to Influence Opioid Policy in Your Community
Local policies play a critical role in shaping how communities respond to the opioid crisis. This webinar will focus on the policy-making process and empower attendees with practical strategies to influence opioid-related decisions in their own communities. From expanding access to treatment and prevention services to securing funding and changing local laws, participants will learn how to engage decision-makers, build coalitions, and drive meaningful change.
February 17th
2pm - 3pm
Community Health and Wellbeing Webinar: Justice-Involved Community
This webinar will examine the factors that contribute to discrepancies in health outcomes for the justice-involved community. Participants will explore the unique challenges of accessing care and support across these communities and discuss strategies to reduce barriers, enhance services, and strengthen overall health and wellbeing.
February 17th
2pm - 3pm
Vulnerabilities at the Intersections: ACEs, Human Trafficking, and the Male Experience: Session 2: From Insight to Impact: How We Reduce Demand Together
Vulnerabilities at the Intersections: ACEs, Human Trafficking, and the Male Experience is a
webinar series examining how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), exploitation, and
trafficking intersect in the lives of boys and men. The series highlights often-overlooked
pathways to vulnerability, including the impact of trauma, social expectations of masculinity,
and systemic barriers that limit disclosure and access to support. Using a trauma-informed,
research-based approach, participants will gain insight into the male experience and learn
strategies for prevention, identification, and effective response that promote healing and
resilience.
February 18th
10am - 12pm
High Stress Coping & Substance use: A Toxic Combination
Coping with life stressors, be it health issues, economic stability, or family well-being, can be especially difficult for some. Circumstances around managing life challenges can increase stress and the potential for substance use as a perceived 'buffer'. This interactive dialogue will look at how chronic stress can alter brain chemistry, make individuals more susceptible to substance use, and will further review stress-reducing activities for healthy ways of managing stress and its impact on wellness.
February 18th
1pm - 2:30pm
QPR - Question, Persuade, Refer - Training
The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training. The signs of crisis are all around us. We believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know.
People trained in QPR learn how to help someone in crisis seek the support they need. Learn how to identify the warning signs and risk factors of suicide; how to ask the suicide question and persuade a suicidal person not to end their life; and how to appropriately refer a suicidal person to behavioral healthcare professionals.
February 18th
3pm - 4:30pm
Emerging Adults (EAs, ages 18-26) face significant barriers to receiving evidence-based substance use services, particularly in rural communities where geographic and structural limitations severely restrict access. This challenge is critical, as EAs have the highest rates of substance use disorder (SUD), yet only 3% of those with an SUD received treatment in the past year. A novel solution is urgently needed to address this gap. This webinar explores the innovative, evidence-based Task-Shifting model, that shifts responsibilities from specialized clinicians to less specialized personnel. This approach is designed to increase the reach and accessibility of support where EAs live and interact.
February 18th
7:30pm - 8:30pm
Mental Health for Everyone, Mental Illness for Some
Everywhere we look, people are talking about the mental health struggles that are mounting in our school-aged children. But, when we talk about mental illnesses like bipolar disorder emerging in pediatric patients, there is still controversy and disagreement.
Why is that?
Join us for a deep dive into understanding the fundamental differences between mental health and mental illness. We will discover how knowing the difference can make all the difference in receiving appropriate and effective treatment. Webinar Discussion Group at 7pm on February 19th for more discussion.
February 19th
1pm - 3pm
Lethal Means Safety (LMS) Workshop
Firearms are the most used means in veteran suicide. Lethal means safety, an evidence-based intervention, focuses on how to improve the voluntary secure storage of firearms and other lethal means to help reduce suicidal behavior. Increasing the time and space between when suicidal thoughts occur and accessing lethal means has the potential to be lifesaving.
This workshop is offered at no cost and is designed for peers, friends, family, and clinical providers of veterans to enhance their knowledge about engaging in lethal means safety conversations. This course provides practical tools and tips for facilitating discussions that promote voluntary secure storage of firearms.
February 19th
1pm - 4:15pm
Ethical Decision-Making for the Prevention Professional
This course is a unique opportunity for those who have already completed the Prevention Ethics Basics course and are hungry for more knowledge. In this workshop, prevention professionals will delve deeper into the code of ethics and actively participate in group sessions, offering a hands-on learning experience to practice ethical decision-making in real prevention dilemmas.
February 19th
2pm - 3pm
Community Health and Wellbeing Webinar: Recovery and Rural Communities
This webinar will explore the unique barriers and opportunities related to supporting recovery in rural communities. Participants will discuss challenges such as limited services and geographic isolation, while examining approaches that strengthen local support networks, expand access to resources, and promote community-driven solutions.
February 19th
1pm - 4:15pm
Ethical Decision-Making for the Prevention Professional
This course is a unique opportunity for those who have already completed the Prevention Ethics Basics course and are hungry for more knowledge. In this workshop, prevention professionals will delve deeper into the code of ethics and actively participate in group sessions, offering a hands-on learning experience to practice ethical decision-making in real prevention dilemmas. (PE)
February 20th
9am - 5:30pm
TIer Two: Overview of Military Service-Related Behavioral Health Challenges is an intermediate-level training that builds on the foundational knowledge of Tier One, and equips civilian mental health professionals with deeper insights about specific mental health challenges and difficulties that are often associated with military service. Topics include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep disorders, suicide, and ethics.
February 20th
9:30am - 12:30pm
Translating the Guiding Principles of Trauma Informed Care in Practice
Trauma-informed care is an approach that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and takes steps to prevent further harm and empower wellness. This interactive learning discussion will inform on SAMHSA’s 6 guiding principles for Trauma-Informed Care. It’s more than understanding what trauma concepts are, but about how providers can enlist the principles to create environments and connection by preventing re-traumatization and intentionally promote healing. The content will review how trauma-informed principles can be integrated in prevention efforts and engagement opportunities to support an individual’s wellness and recovery process.
February 20th
10am - 12pm
Talking it Through: Teaching Coping Skills by Phone
Providing support over the phone presents both opportunities and challenges. This interactive training will provide ready-to-use tools for assisting callers in crisis. From navigating panic and anxiety to managing sadness and despair, participants will enhance their ability to provide support and skills to callers.
February 23rd
10am - 12pm
Prevention services help identify and address risky substance use by providing appropriate support. Effective strategies target various levels of substance use and related health effects. This interactive session covers transparent language, degrees of substance use, their impact, and corresponding effective approaches and interventions.
February 23rd
1pm - 2pm
While consistently focused on helping others, professionals can experience challenges in practicing self-care for themselves. This brief, interactive conversation is an opportunity to intentionally prioritize worker wellness, review practices, and experience the benefits of intentional and simple self-care actions.
February 23rd
1pm - 4:15pm
Alcohol - YES…it IS a Drug (AOD)
Designed for beginner prevention professionals, this training is intended to help strengthen your alcohol prevention efforts by understanding why alcohol is considered a drug. By the end of this session, you'll be able to describe alcohol clearly, identify its various types, understand what constitutes a standard drink, and grasp its effects on the brain and body. We'll explore the importance of using non-stigmatizing language, the different types of alcohol, and how they are measured. Key terms such as addiction, dependence, and tolerance will be explained. Additionally, we'll discuss the health consequences of alcohol misuse and identify effective prevention strategies. Come learn all there is to know about why alcohol isn’t just another beverage!
February 23rd
4pm - 5:30pm
Optimizing Opioid Overdose Response: Compassion During Crisis
This 90-minute course equips healthcare professionals with the essential knowledge, skills, and confidence to educate patients, families, and caregivers about opioid overdose prevention and response, including naloxone use. The course provides comprehensive knowledge of overdose risk factors, overdose recognition, and overdose response. Person-centered, non-stigmatizing communication is emphasized to improve confidence and effectiveness in discussing harm reduction and overdose prevention. By the end of the course, learners will be equipped to integrate overdose prevention strategies into their everyday practice, effectively and compassionately manage overdose events, promote harm reduction, and contribute to improved patient safety and outcomes across various healthcare settings.
February 24th
11am - 12:30pm
Engaging Difficult-to-Reach Adolescents into Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Approximately 60% of adolescents miss their second outpatient session in substance use disorder treatment. In addition, counselor often encounter a great deal of resistance when working with adolescents because counseling is usually not their idea. Thus, relapse and recidivism rates remain high. Topics covered in this skill-building webinar include: eight reasons adolescents resist SUD counseling; four pre-treatment engagement strategies; Engaging difficult to reach adolescents within the first 10 minutes of contact; how to increase second session attendance by 66%; strength based engagement strategies; discovering adolescent uniqueness as an engagement strategy; how to turn 3 sessions into 6 sessions; evidence based engagement of adolescents with SUD; strategies for turning an involuntary client into a voluntary client.
February 24th
1pm - 4:15pm
Building Accountability: Designing Clear & Effective Grant Evaluation Plans
Whether you are new to grant writing or have been writing grant proposals for many years, you have definitely heard about the importance of program evaluations. An effective evaluation plan is an integral part of any grant proposal as it ultimately tells the funder that you have a robust strategy for determining the effectiveness of your services. In this session, you will learn about the different types of evaluation processes and how they work together to create a comprehensive quality assurance system. You will also walk through an 8-step process for designing a comprehensive evaluation plan by which to measure the success of your services. Funders require this in their grant proposals, so come learn how to write them in a way that will increase your likelihood of getting an award! (PS2)
February 24th
3pm - 4:15pm
This course is an extension of the Appalachian Culture training; however, that training is not a prerequisite. After learning about the basics of Appalachian culture, prevention professionals should plan to reach this community in practical ways. Special focus will be placed on the opioid crisis and strategies to impact the consequences. (CC)
February 25th
9:30am - 12:30pm
Insights and Approaches to Reduce Stigma of Substance Use
This interactive session explores the roots, impact, and consequences of stigma surrounding substance use, with a focus on fostering empathy, understanding, and effective approaches to reduce bias. Participants will gain insights into how stigma affects individuals, families, and communities, and will learn practical strategies to create supportive, nonjudgmental environments in behavioral health, workplace, and community settings. Through real-world examples, reflective exercises, and communication tools, participants will enhance their knowledge and skills sets to challenge stigma and promote recovery-oriented support.
February 25th
12pm - 1:30pm
Process Addictions: Maladaptive Coping Across the Ages
The number of people experiencing process addictions such as gambling, gaming, and social media has been growing for years. The criteria, symptoms, and even neurobiology of these disorders are incredibly similar to those of substance use disorders. In this webinar, we will discuss those stark comparisons and the concern that, from young children to the elderly, the population who are addicted is diverse and vast.
February 25th
1pm - 2pm
Not OK: Rethinking Youth Well-Being
The mental health of young people in the U.S. is at a breaking point. In 2023, more than 1 in 5 adolescents were diagnosed with a mental or behavioral health condition, marking a 35% increase since 2016. Alarming numbers of students report persistent sadness, hopelessness, and even suicidal thoughts. This session challenges us to rethink how we define and support youth well-being in today’s world. From the specific pressures youth experience related to academics, family, and peers to the larger societal stressors they collectively face, the factors shaping youth mental health are complex and urgent. We’ll explore how these challenges intersect with youth substance use trends and prevention efforts, raising critical questions about how schools, families, and communities can respond.
February 25th
3pm - 4pm
Advancing Violence Prevention Through Research and Community Partnerships
Ultimately, violence is preventable. Through strong community partnerships, Dr. Bright’s work has informed evidence-based strategic plans to improve programs, achieve better outcomes, and–most importantly–save lives. Beyond presenting her research and its implications, Dr. Bright explores how scientific study can help to resolve complicated topics that are often at the heart of societal debates. She argues that public health research, including violence prevention, deserves the same rigorous investigation as medical research.
February 26th
1pm - 2pm
Empowering Resilience, Inspiring Hope
Empowering Resiliency, Inspiring Hope is designed to equip addiction and behavioral health professionals with practical tools to foster resilience in the individuals and communities they serve, and to strengthen the hope that sustains long-term recovery. This presentation focuses on the real-world challenges attendees face and offers meaningful, actionable strategies to support lasting change. Participants will gain evidence-based tools, trauma-informed approaches, and clinically grounded insights informed by over two decades of hands-on experience. Attendees will leave with renewed purpose, a deeper understanding of resilience and healing, and practical techniques they can immediately apply in their work with clients, families, and systems of care.
February 27th
9am - 12:15pm
Alcohol - YES…it IS a Drug (AOD)
Designed for beginner prevention professionals, this training is intended to help strengthen your alcohol prevention efforts by understanding why alcohol is considered a drug. By the end of this session, you'll be able to describe alcohol clearly, identify its various types, understand what constitutes a standard drink, and grasp its effects on the brain and body. We'll explore the importance of using non-stigmatizing language, the different types of alcohol, and how they are measured. Key terms such as addiction, dependence, and tolerance will be explained. Additionally, we'll discuss the health consequences of alcohol misuse and identify effective prevention strategies. Come learn all there is to know about why alcohol isn’t just another beverage! (P2)