Central East PTTC

The Danya Institute, Inc.
8737 Colesville Road, Suite L-203
Silver Spring,
MD
20910
HHS Region 3
DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV
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The Central East PTTC serves the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Region 3, which includes Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The PTTC will provide technical assistance (TA) and training (T) geared toward developing and strengthening the capacity of substance use prevention field to provide services that are based on prevention science and use evidence-based and promising practices. The populations of focus are prevention professionals and organizations, community coalitions, social service groups, other community based and faith based organizations, minority-specific organizations, healthcare workers, organizations, pre-professionals, peers, consumers and family members, and other stakeholders. 

Recent News

From the Central East PTTC
Mar. 05, 2024
The minimum age for sports betting in Maryland is 21, and for the Lottery, it’s 18. During a 2022 high school focus group in Western Maryland, all 15 youth said confidently, “I don’t gamble.” Yet, at the end of the focus group, nearly all raised their hands when the group was asked to raise their […]
Feb. 07, 2024
As we embrace the month of February and honor Black History Month, it is an opportune time to reflect on the rich heritage, resilience and contributions of the Black community. This month provides an opportunity to honor the achievements of Black people throughout history and address critical health issues affecting the community. This year, our […]
Jan. 03, 2024
SAMHSA’s 20th Prevention Day – Leading With Science, Improving Lives It is with great excitement and pride that we share a momentous occasion with you all –SAMHSA’s 20th Prevention Day! For two decades, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has been at the forefront of the fight against substance use disorders and […]

Upcoming Events

Hosted by the Central East PTTC
Webinar/Virtual Training
Cost: FREE Contact Hours: 1.75 (Certificate of Attendance and Social Work/Counseling CEUs provided by the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) Training Institute) Target Audience: Professionals or organizations; Community members (members of a community or consumers); Students or educators (including faculty, administrators, supervisors, etc.) Developed for: SAMHSA Region 3 COURSE DESCRIPTION Compassion fatigue and burnout not only increase the risk of vicarious experiencing challenges for our staff, they endanger those they serve. This training will support supervisors and managers in identifying and addressing the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue and burnout in an effort to safeguard their staff’s practice and clients’ well-being. This session will include information as well as practical suggestions for intervention.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES At the end of this training, participants will be able to: Describe at least 4 ways in which compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma present in their staff working people living with Substance Use Disorder. Identify the importance of supervision in mitigating and supporting staff who may be experiencing Vicarious Trauma, Compassion Fatigue, or Burnout. Name at least 5 strategies for engaging staff in planning and utilizing self-management skills.   PRESENTER Laura Hinds, MSW, LCSW, is a clinical social worker with experience in medical, behavioral and mental health settings.  Laura has had the pleasure of working with high acuity special needs populations and their providers for over 22 years.  An alumna and instructor at Penn’s School of Social Policy and Practice for 13 years, and Bryn Mawr’s School of Social Work and Social Research’s for the past 4 years, Laura has supported the learning and education of new social workers, veterans in the field, and their interdisciplinary partners.  With a focus on trauma, human and gender development, racial equity, and crisis intervention Laura supports special needs populations and those who serve them.     *CONTACT HOUR ELIGIBILITY In order to be eligible for the contact hours/certificate of attendance, you must join the live webinar in the Zoom platform. 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].
Webinar/Virtual Training
Cost: FREE Contact Hours: 1.25 (Certificate of Attendance) Target Audience: Professionals or organizations; Community members (members of a community or consumers); Students or educators (including faculty, administrators, supervisors, etc.) Developed for: SAMHSA Region 3 COURSE DESCRIPTION In this session, we will review the Spectrum of Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Interventions with an emphasis on the transition from prevention to treatment. We will examine the signs and symptoms of substance use disorders through a review of the diagnostic criteria. We’ll look at how the brain is impacted by substance use and impairment at different developmental stages. Finally, we will discuss evidence-based risk and protective factors related to substance use and shared risk and protective factors. LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. Identify when my work as a prevention provider ends and referral to treatment begins. 2. Recognize the diagnostic criteria, signs, and symptoms for substance use disorders. 3. Identify a minimum of 3 risk factors for developing a substance use disorder and 3 protective factors for reducing the risk of developing a substance use disorder. 4. Describe how the brain is impacted by substance use and impairment.   PRESENTER Robert Rogers, LADC, CCS, LSW, PS-A, has worked with youth and families throughout Somerset and Kennebec Counties since 1994.  Robert works for Kennebec Behavioral Health as Director of Substance Use Prevention and Grant Services. He worked with Somerset Public Health as the Drug-Free Communities Program Coordinator, completing ten years of coalition work.  Robert is a certified Prime for Life instructor and the State of Maine certified Responsible Beverage Seller trainer for the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operations. Robert also coordinates Respect ME, a Certified Domestic Violence Intervention Program for female survivors of domestic violence who used resistive violence with their intimate partners.  Robert was appointed to the state Substance Abuse Service Commission, served by appointment on the state's Maine Opiate Collaborative Prevention and Harm Reduction team, served as Chair for the Maine Prevention Specialists Certification Board, and serves as a Maine representative on the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center’s Advisory Board.  Additionally, Robert is on the Board of Directors for AdCare of Maine and Sunset Home, a non-profit assisted living facility for older women in Waterville, Maine. Robert is an Adjunct Professor of Substance Use Prevention at the University of Maine at Farmington.  Most recently, Governor Mills appointed Robert to the State of Maine Board of Alcohol & Drug Counselors and serves as the board's Chair. In 2021, Robert was awarded the Neill E. Miner Memorial Prevention Award, and in 2014 was awarded Prevention Provider of the Year by the Maine Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse.  
Webinar/Virtual Training
Cost: FREE Contact Hours: 1.75 Target Audience: Professionals or organizations; Community members (members of a community or consumers); Students or educators (including faculty, administrators, supervisors, etc.) Developed for: SAMHSA Region 3 OVERALL DESCRIPTION Aggression is anger in action. Many health and human services consumers become aggressive with caseworkers, social workers, etc. Aggression could be the result of feelings of vulnerability, fear and frustration. Regardless of the reason, consumer aggression can put the safety of caseworkers at risk. The 360 SAFETY series by Presidential Consultants will empower your organization to create synergy with consumers while ensuring physical and environmental safety for caseworkers, social workers, etc. Participants learn practical strategies for prioritizing their physical safety, enabling them to focus on the consumer’s situation. Our system further empowers caseworkers, social workers, etc. to maintain their personal safety by emphasizing goal centric teamwork that provides emotional security to the consumer. As a result, consumers often transform their energy of aggression into fuel for successful case plan completion. The ultimate goal is to help participants better partner with consumers while ensuring their own personal safety. SESSION 1:FIELD & OFFICE SAFETY Learn vigilance and strategies that can be used in the office, during home visits, while walking to a vehicle, driving or navigating neighborhoods that prioritizes caseworker safety.  SERIES LEARNING OBJECTIVES Participants will recognize the importance of teaming with those they serve by emphasizing goal centric teamwork to achieve case plan objectives while also enhancing their own personal safety.  Participants will recognize the reality of violence in their work, identify the risk factors of workplace violence for caseworkers and explain the need to take measures for personal safety.  Participants will demonstrate safety strategies to be used during office and field interactions, on home visits and while navigating the neighborhoods in which our clients reside. REGISTRATION DHSS MERIT & C/S EMPLOYEES: Access your existing DLC account via: ID.DELWARE.GOV All others: Create OR access your existing DLC account via the self-registration page: https://stateofdelaware.csod.com/LMS/catalog/Welcome.aspx?tab_page_id=-67&tab_id=221000434   PRESENTER Master Trainer, International Speaker and author of the book “Invincible Social Worker," Anthony President has empowered and inspired more than 100,000 people to perform, produce and partner better at their places of work. With over 20 years of facilitation experience, Anthony utilizes a broad range of active learning methodologies to engage and inspire learners to put new ideas into practice creating tangible results for their organizations.  

Products & Resources

Developed by the Central East PTTC
Multimedia
The Fundamentals of Understanding and Using Data in Prevention Part 3: DIY Data for Prevention Professionals Jamie Comstock, MURP, PS-C, and Robin Carr, PS-C February 29, 2024, 11:00am-12:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION Looking for tips and tricks on how to present your data in a way that catches people’s attention and is easily understood? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the Five C’s of Data: Chart, Color, Context, Clutter, and Composition. Through learning about the Five C's, participants of this virtual training will gain skills to present data in a manner that best resonates with their audiences. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Choose the most effective chart for their data Use color for emphasis and action Show data in context for maximum (and realistic) impact Reduce clutter so data insights can be easily understood PRESENTERS Jamie Comstock, MURP, PS-C and Robin Carr, PS-C 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. It’s also important to know that they aren’t graphic designers, artists, or especially tech savvy. Everything they do, you can do too. They’ve presented at the Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America’s Leadership Forum, the Maine Public Health Association Annual Meeting, the New England Institute of Addiction Studies, the New England School of Best Practices, and provided training and technical assistance to non-profit organizations throughout New England. They have been featured on the Organizing for Change podcast and have an on-demand webinar available through the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center.  
Multimedia
The Fundamentals of Understanding and Using Data in Prevention Part 2: Collecting, Prioritizing, and Managing Your Data Josh Esrick, MPP, Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip, and Olivia Stuart, LMSW February 27, 2024, 11:00am-12:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION The webinar will describe how to obtain and begin using data. It will identify data collection methods and sources, as well as important strengths and potential challenges for prevention professionals. The webinar will also provide recommendations for overcoming these challenges, including explaining the importance of culturally sensitive data collection instruments. It will also introduce and explain data prioritization techniques to begin integrating data into strategic planning. Lastly, the webinar will describe how prevention professionals can use data to improve strategic planning, community outcomes, and health equity. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Identify data sources and data collection techniques Recognize common barriers to data collection and strategies to overcome those challenges Describe and contrast different data prioritization techniques Identify how data can improve key components of the prevention field PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (T/TA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of T/TA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to T/TA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.   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.     Olivia Stuart, MSW  supports the training & technical assistance (T/TA) team in the development and delivery of knowledge translation products across multiple projects. In this capacity, she assists with webinars, literature reviews, and infographics on a range of behavioral health topics. Prior to joining Carnevale Associates, Olivia interned with the Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center where she supported projects to reduce inequities in the criminal justice system. Olivia also served as a Graduate Research Supervisor at George Mason University and worked for several years in LGBTQ+ advocacy and fundraising. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from George Mason University.  
Multimedia
The Fundamentals of Understanding and Using Data in Prevention Part 1: What Is Data and Why We Use It Josh Esrick, MPP, Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip, Olivia Stuart, LMSW, Jamie Comstock, MURP, PS-C, and Robin Carr, PS-C February 22, 2024, 11:00am-12:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will introduce and discuss data concepts relevant to substance use prevention. Through the lens of SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), it will introduce the different ways prevention professionals can use data. The webinar will also summarize the different types of data relevant to prevention efforts and explain why data is critical to building the field’s evidence base. Additionally, it will identify the elements and explain the importance of a comprehensive needs assessment. Lastly, it will introduce the importance of effective and ethical data communication by prevention professionals. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Explain how data supports prevention planning and programming Recognize the different types of data relevant to prevention Identify the elements of a needs assessment and their uses Understand the importance of data communication to the community and stakeholders PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (T/TA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of T/TA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to T/TA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.   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.     Olivia Stuart, LMSW  supports the training & technical assistance (T/TA) team in the development and delivery of knowledge translation products across multiple projects. In this capacity, she assists with webinars, literature reviews, and infographics on a range of behavioral health topics. Prior to joining Carnevale Associates, Olivia interned with the Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center where she supported projects to reduce inequities in the criminal justice system. Olivia also served as a Graduate Research Supervisor at George Mason University and worked for several years in LGBTQ+ advocacy and fundraising. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from George Mason University.   Jamie Comstock, MURP, PS-C and Robin Carr, PS-C 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. It’s also important to know that they aren’t graphic designers, artists, or especially tech savvy. Everything they do, you can do too. They’ve presented at the Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America’s Leadership Forum, the Maine Public Health Association Annual Meeting, the New England Institute of Addiction Studies, the New England School of Best Practices, and provided training and technical assistance to non-profit organizations throughout New England. They have been featured on the Organizing for Change podcast and have an on-demand webinar available through the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center.  
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