New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Annual Report Brief: Year Three
Substance use and mental health have been heavily affected in the last two years by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The region has observed loosened laws related to alcohol and marijuana as well as increased consumption of substances and increased prevalence of mental health and stress disorders. With national outcries for diversity, inclusion and improved mental health services coinciding with changes in federal funding, staff shortages, and recruiting struggles, the prevention workforce has faced some seemingly insurmountable obstacles. However, the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center (New England PTTC) has not only continued to engage the workforce and use their feedback to make data-driven decisions for programming but has continually expanded service offerings and opportunities to propel the New England workforce into 21st century prevention. In October 2018, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc. (AdCare Maine) the five-year cooperative agreement for the New England PTTC. In turn, AdCare Maine contracted with the Co-occurring Collaborative Serving Maine (CCSME) to provide program support and distance learning. AdCare Maine also contracted with Public Consulting Group LLC (PCG), an external evaluator, to conduct an initial needs assessment regarding training and technical assistance (T/TA) for prevention professionals and to support the project with ongoing quarterly and annual reporting for the grant.
The New England PTTC had three goals for Year Three, to:
This brief reflects the efforts of the New England PTTC in Year Three of the grant, i.e., between September 30, 2020, and September 29, 2021, as well as a follow-up to the initial needs assessment.
