New England PTTC

Date: April 18, 2024 Format: Webinar Time: 1:00 PM—2:30 PM EST Cost: FREE ABOUT THE LEARNING SESSION   A common dilemma for prevention providers is determining the line between advocacy and lobbying. Advocacy is the process of stakeholders’ making their voices heard on issues that affect their lives and the lives of others at the local, state, and national level. Prevention professionals are directed by their Code of Ethics to advocate for an idea or cause that affects behavioral health and health care. When done effectively, advocacy influences public policy by providing a channel for individuals and organizations to voice an opinion. These efforts can, in turn, sway public opinion, garner press coverage, and ultimately provide policymakers an opportunity to respond to constituents’ needs. Lobbying is a type of advocacy that attempts to influence specific legislation. State and federal funders in general forbid providers to This workshop will assist prevention providers in discerning what actions they can and cannot engage in as advocates. Case examples will assist participants in clarifying the boundaries of their legal and ethical responsibilities.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES Define advocacy and lobbying Describe what a prevention professional’s ethical obligation is regarding advocacy Distinguish among actions that are advocacy or specifically lobbying List advocacy guidelines for actions that promote wellness and prevent substance misuse and related behavioral health problems   PRESENTER Sandra Puerini Del Sesto, M.Ed, ACPS is a consultant and master trainer in behavioral health and strategic planning for states and non-profits. For over thirty-five years, Ms. Del Sesto has provided throughout the United States training, community and strategic planning, program development, and capacity building in all areas of prevention practice. She has worked extensively at both the community and state levels directing a statewide prevention agency, developing strategic prevention/behavioral health care plans, creating curriculum and programs for high-risk youth and families as well as instructional guidelines for substance misuse and mental health education. She is a member of the advisory boards of the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC), the National Latino PTTC and the New England School of Addiction Studies. Sandra serves as the RI delegate to and the former Prevention Committee Co-Chair of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), which certifies professionals working in behavioral health. Sandra is a co-author of SAMHA’s Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training (SAPST) and its basic and advanced Prevention Ethics courses as well as many other face-to-face and online courses in prevention.   About the webinar: This webinar is hosted by the New England PTTC, a program funded through SAMHSA, in response to an identified need for training for New England prevention professionals. Certificates of participation for 1.5 contact hours will be provided to participants who complete the training.    

REGISTER NOW! Climate Change from a Prevention Perspective April 24th, 2:00-3:30 pm ET   In recognition of Earth Week, the PTTC national implementation science work group is proud to present on April 24th Climate Change from a Prevention Perspective, from 2:00-3:30 pm ET!   "Where do you see yourself in 10 years?" We often ask young people to think about their futures, but the world we're asking them to think about living in is changing quickly. From screen time to social media to emerging substance use trends to being trauma-informed, preventionists have to stay up to date on the health of young people- so have you thought about climate change? Climate change is on the minds of upwards of 80% of young people, making it a standout issue. Increased stressors on communities, families, and individuals can mean increased mental health challenges, as well as other public health concerns, and people and communities will have different abilities to adapt to these changes depending on a host of socioeconomic factors. This training is designed as a conversation to help you begin to be climate-informed about these issues and more, so these subjects are familiar to you when bolstering youth and community resiliency, and helping young people find hopeful answers to the question, "Where do you see yourself in 10 years?"   Objectives:  Discover how prevention specialists can consider this global impact problem when delivering prevention services. Learn how socioeconomic differences, and health disparities change how climate change impacts people differently and their capacity for being resilient to climate change changes depending on these things. Communicate a feeling of hope. This is a more powerful conversation when we know there are things we can do. Focus on substance misuse prevention and positive youth development. This conversation can easily be swept up in climate change and the specifics of climate change, but we are not expected to become climate change experts. By being climate informed, we can more easily navigate this part of working with youth.   PTTC Network event. Our very own, Sarah Johnson, New England PTTC is the presenter for this webinar. Check it out!

Date: June 10-13, 2024 Format: Virtual Conference   Time(s):  See the conference website Cost: See the conference website   ABOUT THE CONFERENCE The New England School of Addiction and Prevention Studies, commonly called Summer School, is an intensive 4-day learning experience to further knowledge, skills, and experience in the field of substance use disorder services. For over 55 years, participants from many disciplines have come together to form a unique, diverse learning community. This year will be our second hybrid year, with options to attend the program in person in Worcester or to attend the program virtually! We are delighted to return to Worcester State University for a face-to-face program. Due to the continued strong demand for intensive Summer School programming online, we are happy to also offer a live virtual program. Select from many intensive courses from across the continuum of treatment, prevention, and recovery. Virtual courses will take place live by videoconference, allowing for course group work and interaction. In addition to courses: plenary sessions, community, and more! Options are available to attend the full program, or any number of days. Earn 26 Contact Hours during the week.   Courses are designed for the extensive demands of today's professionals and organizations: Certification, licensing, and re-credentialing; Evidence-based practices; Addressing health disparities and equity issues; Behavioral healthcare and primary care integration; Recovery oriented care across the continuum; Addressing the opioid crisis, stimulants, and other current drug trends; And many other current and emerging topics!   Partial New England State Scholarships are available from most New England states. Application coming soon!   Complete course information, registration, and scholarship information will be posted to this website in March. Click here to sign up for the Email List.   Please contact AdCare New England with any questions at 207-621-2549 or [email protected].

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features a PTTC network event "Climate Change from a Prevention Perspective", Exploring Root Causes of Substance Misuse through Stories, Alcohol Awareness Month and awareness campaigns for April, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features our latest product a harm reduction guide for prevention professionals, prevention success videos, resources for awareness campaigns for the month of February, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

Prevention in Pictures: Using Prevention Graphic Novels to Facilitate Conversations with Youth Hosted by the Central East PTTC and New England PTTC January 10, 2024  |  Sarah Johnson, MA, PS-C, and Scott Gagnon, MPP, PS-C Watch now  |  View course description   In the Air, Graphic Medicine | Download a Preview | Request a Full Version (*Printed or Electronic) | Available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.