Central East ATTC

      DESCRIPTION Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping behavioral health and addiction treatment, offering new tools for clinical care, training, documentation, and patient engagement. This webinar will introduce participants to the fundamentals of AI, providing a broader understanding of its presence in everyday life—from predictive algorithms to virtual assistants—and its evolving role in healthcare. Experts will then explore AI applications specific to behavioral health, including chatbots, simulation training, and clinical decision support. The session will also address critical ethical and safety considerations, discussing the potential benefits, challenges, and best practices for responsible AI implementation. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Describe the fundamentals of AI, its presence in everyday life, and its evolving role in healthcare. Identify AI-driven applications relevant to behavioral health and addiction treatment, such as chatbots, training simulations, and clinical decision support, and assess their benefits and limitations. Evaluate ethical considerations, risks (e.g., bias, misinformation), and best practices for the safe and responsible use of AI in behavioral health settings.   *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. Contact Hours (Certificate of Attendance): up to 1. 25 for attending the entire session. Each session is worth 1.25 contact hours 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. GUEST SPEAKERS   Kathy Hsu Wibberly, PhD Kathy is Director of the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (MATRC).  TRC’s are federally funded to assist with telehealth program development and sustainability in order to increase access to quality care for rural and other underserved populations.  Kathy is also Director of Research for the Karen S. Rheuban Center for Telehealth, Associate Research Professor of Public Health Sciences at the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine and faculty member at the Healthy Appalachia Institute.  For over a decade, Kathy also served as adjunct faculty in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) where she taught Research Methods.  Kathy’s public service career reflects over 30 years of experience in public health, public policy, program development, program evaluation and strategic planning.    Jay Ostrowski  MA, Former LPCS (Retired) Jay Ostrowski is a seasoned Telemental Health thought leader/pioneer, and clinical service developer with a rare combination of clinical, operational, and technical expertise. He is the founder and author of the Board Certification in Telemental Health, he’s lead the development of several national telemental health clinical networks, and created 11 clinical telehealth apps and platforms like AdaptiveTelehealth.com. Since 2009 Jay has served as a telehealth subject matter expert, consultant, trainer, and clinical implementation partner, serving corporations, Telehealth Resource Centers, universities and health departments, and is nearing 200 professional presentations on these topics. He’s currently CEO of Oasis Mental Health Applications, developing software and services for online student mental health. He resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wonderful wife Jeanette.                                                                                                                                               Brian S. Gunnell  BS CTC Since 2010, Brian S. Gunnell has worked with the University of Virginia Center for Telehealth.  Currently as the  Senior System Engineer and team lead  for the University of Virginia Center for Telehealth. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Brian brings extensive experience in mobile and fixed endpoint VTC technology, communications, and telepresence infrastructure, as well as the clinical applications of mobile telehealth and project management. Brian has played a vital role in the conception, development, and application of the University’s emergency telemedicine capabilities, including the management of special pathogens, tele-stroke, and neonatal interventions. He has been instrumental in applying mobile VTC to enable NIH stroke scale application while patients are en route. In addition, he has substantial expertise in developing videoconferencing in low-resource environments and has spearheaded telemedicine program development in Guatemala, Tanzania, China, Bangladesh, and Appalachian Southwestern Virginia.

DESCRIPTION In collaboration with the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC), the Central East ATTC is  hosting a two part event on depression and substance use disorder (SUD). Details for each event are below. PART 1 March 12, 2025 12:00pm -1:15pm EDT The first event will equip practitioners with the knowledge and skills to effectively administer, score, interpret, and utilize the PHQ-9 to screen for and monitor depression in clients with substance use disorders. LEARNING OBJECTIVES  Identify the prevalence and significance of co-occurring depression and substance use disorders. Describe the PHQ-9 as a screening tool and its limitations. Explain PHQ-9 scores and make appropriate referrals. Discuss strategies for addressing depression in clients with substance use disorders. PART 2 March 26, 2025 12:00pm -1:15pm EDT Session two will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to understand remission in depression and substance use, effectively monitor progress using the PHQ-9, recognize relapse warning signs, and apply appropriate therapeutic interventions and psychosocial supports. LEARNING OBJECTIVES  Define and differentiate between full and partial remission in the context of depression and substance use. Recognize the importance of tracking remission status and how it affects treatment planning. Adjust the PHQ-9 tool to monitor patient progress and track changes over time. Identify common warning signs of relapse and apply early intervention strategies. Describe the role of therapeutic interventions and psychosocial supports in long-term recovery. Participants are only required to register once and can attend either one or both sessions.    Register here for the PHQ9 Learning Collaborative that accompanies this two part event being hosted April 23, 2025. *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. Contact Hours (Certificate of Attendance): up to 1 for attending the entire session. Each session is worth 1 contact hour. 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. GUEST SPEAKER Billie Jo Smith, MS, LPC Billie Jo currently serves as a Program Manager for the Behavioral Health Integration team at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Health Plan.  Billie Jo has worked in the addiction treatment field for over 15 years, first as a clinician, and later a supervisor and manager in various clinical settings including residential and outpatient treatment facilities. Billie Jo trains and consults with providers in the behavioral and physical health fields across the United States. Billie Jo conducts all levels of Motivational Interviewing (MI) training up to and including coaching and supervision.  Billie Jo trains MIA-STEP (Motivational Interviewing Assessment: Supervisory Tools for Enhancing Proficiency), SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment), Technology-Based Clinical Supervision and other topics relevant to the treatment of substance use and co-occurring disorders.  Billie Jo has been a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) since 2018.  Billie Jo is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Pennsylvania.

DESCRIPTION SCREENING, BRIEF INTERVENTION, and  REFERRAL TO TREATMENT (SBIRT) SBIRT is a comprehensive public health approach for delivering prevention, early intervention and referral to treatment services to people using substances in a harmful or risky way. During this Learning Collaborative, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, participate in discussions, and present and review cases with crisis services at the forefront. This event is the learning collaborative that accompanies The SBIRT for Crisis Services event held on December 18, 2024. To view that event, you can access the webinar here. *CONTACT HOUR ELIGIBILITY This event will not issue any Certificates of Attendance.   GUEST SPEAKER Billie Jo Smith, MS, LPC Billie Jo currently serves as a Program Manager for the Behavioral Health Integration team at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Health Plan.  Billie Jo has worked in the addiction treatment field for over 15 years, first as a clinician, and later a supervisor and manager in various clinical settings including residential and outpatient treatment facilities. Billie Jo trains and consults with providers in the behavioral and physical health fields across the United States. Billie Jo conducts all levels of Motivational Interviewing (MI) training up to and including coaching and supervision.  Billie Jo trains MIA-STEP (Motivational Interviewing Assessment: Supervisory Tools for Enhancing Proficiency), SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment), Technology-Based Clinical Supervision and other topics relevant to the treatment of substance use and co-occurring disorders.  Billie Jo has been a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) since 2018.  Billie Jo is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Pennsylvania.

DESCRIPTION Fatal overdoses and suicides are two of the most severe behavioral health outcomes. They are also growing more common. Suicide rates increased 41% nationally from 1999 to 2022, while fatal overdose rates increased 440%.1 Reducing fatal overdose and suicide is a top priority for the behavioral health field. Fortunately, suicide and overdose share many risk and protective factors. In fact, many interventions designed to address one outcome can simultaneously help address the other. Addiction treatment professionals can play a key role, as ongoing substance use is a shared risk factor for both outcomes.2 To download the entire version of the fact sheet, please use the Overdose and Suicide  button on the right side of the page.

DESCRIPTION SCREENING, BRIEF INTERVENTION, and  REFERRAL TO TREATMENT (SBIRT) SBIRT is a comprehensive public health approach for delivering prevention, early intervention and referral to treatment services to people using substances in a harmful or risky way. During this training we will be discussing the conceptual framework of SBIRT as a public health model and its impact as a system change initiative. We will also review the skills necessary to provide screenings, brief interventions, and extended brief interventions.     To view the recorded webinar, click the View Resource button on the right hand side. Stay tuned for an upcoming SBIRT Learning Collaborative event! GUEST SPEAKER  Billie Jo Smith, MS, LPC Billie Jo currently serves as a Program Manager for the Behavioral Health Integration team at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Health Plan.  Billie Jo has worked in the addiction treatment field for over 15 years, first as a clinician, and later a supervisor and manager in various clinical settings including residential and outpatient treatment facilities. Billie Jo trains and consults with providers in the behavioral and physical health fields across the United States. Billie Jo conducts all levels of Motivational Interviewing (MI) training up to and including coaching and supervision.  Billie Jo trains MIA-STEP (Motivational Interviewing Assessment: Supervisory Tools for Enhancing Proficiency), SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment), Technology-Based Clinical Supervision and other topics relevant to the treatment of substance use and co-occurring disorders.  Billie Jo has been a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) since 2018.  Billie Jo is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Pennsylvania.

DESCRIPTION Cannabis is one of the most widely used psychoactive substance globally. The harm perception towards cannabis use is at its lowest in 40 years, especially in pregnancy individuals who may use it for a variety of pregnancy related symptoms. The webinar will elaborate on some of the risks associated with cannabis use in pregnancy.   To view the recorded webinar, click the View Resource button on the right hand side. The accompanying fact sheet will be available soon. GUEST SPEAKER Vishesh Agarwal, MD Dr. Vishesh Agarwal is an award winning board-certified general adult psychiatrist, with additional board certification in addiction psychiatry and obesity medicine. He received the Delaware Today Top doctors award in 2022. Along with his clinical work, Dr. Agarwal supervises and mentors trainee physicians and student learners. He is an invited speaker at regional, and national conferences, and has published in peer-reviewed journals.