Products and Resources Catalog

The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. The April 2024 issue spotlights content celebrating National Minority Health Month and Alcohol Awareness Month. It also features links to upcoming trainings focused on supporting Black students experiencing racial trauma, harnessing AI for substance misuse prevention, and process improvement. Make sure you're subscribed to our email contact list so you never miss a month of The Great Lakes Current newsletter, and thank you for reading!  

The New England ATTC, in partnership with RICARES, held the next monthly installment of the Recovery Science and Harm Reduction Reading Group series. We discussed a paper titled, “Hospitalizations for Alcohol and Opioid Use Disorders in Older Adults: Trends, Comorbidities, and Differences by Gender, Race, and Ethnicity,” by Acevedo and colleagues. A summary of the discussion is available for download. Article link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/11782218221116733 Please find the the meeting summary here: ATTC ReadingGroup 02222024 Summary

The purpose of the listening sessions was to gather information from family members and loved ones of people with substance use challenges to better understand family members’ experiences supporting and seeking support for their loved one who is using substances; to ask what questions family members have about supporting their loved one who is using substances; to ask who or what is providing support for family members; and the unmet needs for support for family members. Version 1 of this report in February 2023, which described the process and findings from the initial round of listening session in 2022. Version 2 of this report describes the process and findings of additional follow up community outreach in 2023 to enhance the first phase of this consultation process: including a new round of listening sessions with family members and loved ones of people who use substances.  This project is in collaboration with the African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence and National Hispanic and Latino ATTC.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term that refers to a wide range of life-long physical, cognitive, and behavioral effects that can occur as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE).  Additionally, individuals with FASD often struggle with co-occurring substance use and mental health challenges and may benefit from modifications to treatment that take into consideration the cognitive, behavioral and adaptive functioning challenges that are common across the spectrum.  This presentation will provide the attendee with a brief overview of FASD, information regarding assessment and diagnosis, and suggestions for ways to tailor treatment/intervention to support success. Presenter Dr. Joanne Sparrow is a clinical psychologist in private practice currently licensed in Washington and Colorado; she works primarily with adults who present with histories of complex trauma/post-traumatic stress disorder, mood and anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. View recording (slides and handout to follow)    

We recognize that the holidays are a difficult time for many. Mid-America ATTC developed a holiday toolkit: How to Thrive During the Holiday Season. It includes tips for people in recovery and for those who support people in recovery, harm reduction techniques for those who want to cut back during the holidays, self-care ideas, LGBTQ+  and recovery resources, and more!  Author: Darla Belflower Editors: Bree Sherry, Catie Holmes, and Jenny Ho

Please find the slides and the video for the Substance Use Disorder and the LGBTQ+ Community: Assessing the Impact of Compounded Stigma and Treatment Considerations on October 30 and November 6 from 1 pm - 2:30 (CST). Substance use is a complex issue that affects individuals from all walks of life, including the LGBTQ+ community. Members of this community face unique challenges when seeking help for addiction. Stigma, shame, and a lack of family support can all make it difficult for LGBTQ individuals to access the resources they need to overcome substance use disorders. Additionally, growing anti-LBGTQ legislation can further exacerbate these issues, creating a hostile environment for individuals struggling with addiction.   Session 1: Click here to watch the video Session 2: Click here to watch the video Click the button above to download the slides Objectives: Educate Substance Use Disorder (SUD)  providers on the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals with SUD Increase awareness of the compounded stigma and discrimination the LGBTQ+ community may experience Learn to provide effective and culturally competent treatment to the LGBTQ+ population   Presenter Information: Darla Belflower has worked in substance use disorder and behavioral health for over three decades. She started a training and consultation business in 2022. She is a member of The Missouri Behavioral Health Council’s Culture, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (CEDI) Committee. She is also Vice Chair of the Kansas City Recovery Coalition and is active in the Kansas City Recovery Community. Being in long-term recovery from a substance use disorder inspired her to write her memoir, I Am Not Anonymous. She has also authored two booklets and is writing a workbook on Substance Use Disorder and Trauma that will be released in the spring of 2025. Ms. Belflower is a Clinically Licensed Social Worker in both Missouri and Kansas, a Licensed Addiction Counselor in Kansas, a Certified Reciprocal Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor in Missouri, a Certified Peer Specialist, a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, a Certified Harm Reduction Specialist, and a trainer and educator of Narcan distribution. Darla and her wife live in Kansas City, Missouri, and enjoy spending time with their daughter. She is passionate about teaching and training so that others may learn how to help those most vulnerable individuals she has enjoyed working with. CEUs are pending. Please email Bree at [email protected] for any questions.

Each person who enters recovery is as unique as their story. And this month, in honor of recovery month, we are bringing you recovery stories from people in diverse populations. Hear what people in these communities want providers to know. Episode 5: Lisa got sober at fifteen, and now, at 34 people often discount her experience.  Lisa has many labels: a person in recovery, a queer lesbian, multi-religious, and a single mom who created her family through international adoption. She continues to work on her recovery daily and is grateful to be sober.    

Each person who enters recovery is as unique as their story. And this month, in honor of recovery month, we are bringing you recovery stories from people in diverse populations. Hear what people in these communities want providers to know. Bonus Episode: Norma is an 88-year-old woman who entered recovery in her 50’s. As an older lady friends and family have a hard time believing she ever had a drinking problem. She educates her doctors and friends about what alcoholism is.    

National Recovery Month (Recovery Month), which started in 1989, is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible. Hosted by the ATTC, and MHTTC Network, in collaboration with SAMHSA, this hour-long event showcases the winners of the 2022 Recovery Innovation Challenge through a “talk-show” format. Hear from four of the ten Challenge Winners who share their innovative strategies for recovery, lessons learned from implementation, and recommendations for replication in other communities. Download the slides by clicking on the green "download" button above.

Each person who enters recovery is as unique as their story. And this month, in honor of recovery month, we are bringing you recovery stories from people in diverse populations. Hear what people in these communities want providers to know. Episode 4: Jazie is a non-binary person who is coming up on their 2nd sober anniversary. Jazie recognizes the older version of themselves taught them many things and acknowledges that they would not be the best version of themselves without that former self.    

Each person who enters recovery is as unique as their story. And this month, in honor of recovery month, we are bringing you recovery stories from people in diverse populations. Hear what people in these communities want providers to know. Episode 3: Casey explains that recovery does not have to be abstinence only.  She discusses her thoughts on why she practices abstinence only now, but she may not always. She discusses why she may use substances in spiritual practices or rituals that her culture has used for centuries, and that does not contradict being in recovery. Casey uses her voice to stand up for who she stands on.     

Each person who enters recovery is as unique as their story. And this month, in honor of recovery month, we are bringing you recovery stories from people in diverse populations. Hear what people in these communities want providers to know.   Episode 1: Laura celebrates her recovery and the person she has become as a result. When her daughter was battling her own addiction, this veteran, divorced, gay mom had to advocate to get her daughter's other mom to be recognized in the healthcare setting.  Laura and her ex-partner were the first parents in MO to have a same-sex partner adoption, but even that legal distinction did not stop the discrimination this queer family faced when seeking medical care for their daughter.      

Each person who enters recovery is as unique as their story. And this month, in honor of recovery month, we are bringing you recovery stories from people in diverse populations. Hear what people in these communities want providers to know. Episode 2: Hector looked at his family and chose not to repeat those patterns.  Hector practiced abstinence into his young adulthood.  When he did start using, he practiced harm reduction.  As a queer, first-generation Hispanic immigrant, he has been able to put a voice to what so many in his culture could not do.    

This snapshot of information is intended to inform individuals, parents, professionals, and providers of the intersection between disability & Substance Use Disorder (SUD) among Hispanic/Latino populations in the US. Español - Discapacidad y Trastornopor Uso de Sustancias (TUS) El propósito de esta reseña informativa es informar alas personas, padres, profesionales y proveedores de la intersección entre la discapacidad y el Trastorno por Uso de Sustancias (TUS) en las poblaciones Hispanas/Latinas de los EE.UU.

This snapshot of information is intended to inform individuals, parents, professionals, and providers of how the stigma around Substance Use Disorder (SUD) impacts Hispanic & Latino populations in the US. Español - Discapacidad y Trastornopor Uso de Sustancias (TUS) El propósito de esta reseña informativa es informar a las personas, padres, profesionales y proveedores sobre como el estigma en torno a los Trastornos por el Uso de Sustancias (TUS) afecta a las poblaciones Hispanas y Latinas en los EE.UU.

    DESCRIPTION: Recovery Friendly Workplaces (RFWs) support their communities by recognizing recovery from substance use challenges as a strength and by being willing to work intentionally with people in recovery.  RFWs encourage a healthy and safe environment where employers, employees, and communities can collaborate to create positive change and eliminate barriers for those impacted by addiction. Join us to learn how becoming a Recovery Friendly Workplace promotes the physical health and mental wellbeing of all employees. In this 90-minute session we’ll learn about New Hampshire’s national RFW initiative and hear from a panel of professionals leading RFW efforts in their states.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Learn how to best replicate New Hampshire’s Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative Identify and summarize RFW Initiatives in the Great Lakes region Identify the strengths, opportunities, and challenges of supporting RFW Initiatives     TRAINERS: Samantha Lewandowski is the Program Director of New Hampshire’s Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) initiative. She first served as a Recovery Friendly Advisor for the initiative, where she worked 1:1 with over 80 workplaces, and then as its Assistant Director. She manages the day-to-day operations of the initiative, including overseeing staff and subcontractors, ensuring workplaces are supported in the RFW process, and promoting effective collaboration with partners, as well as helps implement the initiative’s strategic vision. She is also currently serving as RFW’s Multi-State Liaison, where she provides TA to other states looking to implement NH’s model.   Tyler Meenach graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BS in Criminal Justice in 2011. He spent the next 10 years developing his career in correctional rehabilitation—earning his MS in Criminal Justice along the way. In late 2021, Tyler began a new career as a health coordinator with Hamilton County Public Health where he has been active in the development and growth of the Recovery Friendly Hamilton County program—a recent recipient of a Workforce Champion award from the Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio. He is an avid bookworm, movie buff, and record collector.       The Great Lakes A/MH/PTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

The purpose of the listening sessions was to gather information from family members and loved ones of people with substance use challenges to better understand family members’ experiences supporting and seeking support for their loved one who is using substances; to ask what questions family members have about supporting their loved one who is using substances; to ask who or what is providing support for family members; and the unmet needs for support for family members. This report describes the process and findings of the first phase of this consultation process: listening sessions with family members and loved ones of people who use substances. This project is in collaboration with the African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence and National Hispanic and Latino ATTC.

Recording: Black History Month Panel Presentation Featuring 2023 Hall of Fame Recipients of The Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment, and Recovery   DESCRIPTION: Join the Great Lakes ATTC and the 2023 Hall of Fame recipients of the Online Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment and Recovery for a panel discussion about substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, culturally appropriate service delivery, and recovery in African American communities. The panelists will share their expertise and years of experience on these topics with an emphasis on defining recovery in African American communities, understanding culturally specific approaches to working with African Americans with SUDs, practicing effective cross-cultural counseling, and learning how the entire African American community can serve as a recovery community.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Participants will learn: How to anchor recovery in African American communities A working definition of recovery in African American communities Culturally specific approaches to working with African Americans with SUDs How to build rapport with African American clients in a cross-cultural counseling relationship     PANELISTS:  

  DESCRIPTION: Participants will receive a 2-hour review of the changes specific to substance use disorders (SUD) that were made to the DSM-5-TR. This training will cover new clinical conditions, new diagnoses, and updated language that supports health equity and culturally appropriate service delivery. We will also discuss new coding procedures and what resources are available to help clinicians transition from using the DSM-5 to the DSM-5-TR. This training is for all levels but is especially important for providers who are new to diagnosing and/or those who haven’t yet reviewed the DSM-5-TR.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe general changes to the DSM-5-TR including substance use diagnosis. Discuss new clinical conditions and how to use the decision tree. Identify updated inclusive language in the DSM-5-TR and how it supports health equity.       TRAINER: Jennifer Haywood, LISW-S, LICDC-CS Jennifer has been training helping professionals since 1998. Her specialties include diagnosis, motivational interviewing, addictions focus topics, drug free workplace trainings, ethics, and supervision. Jennifer goes to agencies state-wide to train staff in treatment models in order to help their clients and trained all the behavioral health and medical social workers at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Motivational Interviewing in 2011/2012. Currently, Jennifer is teaching at OSU in the MSW and BSSW programs, focusing on the addictions minor the university is offering, clinical diagnosing and motivational interviewing. Jennifer has a private practice in Worthington, Ohio where she specializes in treating addicts and alcoholics, families of addicts and alcoholics, depression, anxiety, post-partum women, womens' issues, adolescent issues (14+ only), and relationship struggles. Jennifer's 24 years of experience in the addictions field allow her to assess, diagnose and treat clients with the expertise needed.  Jennifer is currently open for new clients and can guide anyone with questions about the right "fit" when choosing one of the clinicians she supervises.     The Great Lakes A/MH/PTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

  The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The January 2023 issue honors National Birth Defects Prevention Month by sharing resources and media from SAMHSA that focus on the effects of marijuana use during pregnancy. This issue also features new products from the Great Lakes MHTTC and PTTC, HealtheKnowledge content specific to women's reproductive health, and opportunities for mental health and SUD professionals to participate in ongoing research studies.  As always, The Great Lakes Current provides links to all the upcoming events and trainings for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   

  The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The November‒December 2022 issue honors National Impaired Driving Prevention Month (December) by sharing resources and media from SAMHSA's "Talk. They Hear You.®" campaign for underage drinking prevention. This issue also features prevention-focused HealtheKnowledge courses, two new Counselor's Corner blog posts about the relationship between SUD and music, the Great Lakes ATTC's "Embracing Change" article on the ATTC/NIATx Service Improvement Blog, and even more brand new products and resources from HHS Region 5.  You will also find links to all the upcoming events and trainings for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. 

The Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC have created an online flipbook for the Alcohol is STILL a Drug series. Alcohol is STILL a Drug is comprised of ten 30-minute videos recorded between September 2021–August 2022. Each video addresses the impacts of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and is presented by a leading professional in that field.    You can view the flipbook online or you can download a PDF version. The videos and supplemental resources are accessible in either format.      ABOUT THE SERIES: The opioid crisis, increasing stimulant misuse, and marijuana legalization often dominate the news—yet alcohol remains the number one substance negatively impacting physical health, mental health, social engagement, and financial stability for individuals throughout the US.   While this series will focus on the hopefulness of recovery from AUD, it will also take a deep dive into what we know about the full impact of alcohol overuse and the ways it affects everyone, even those who do not personally misuse alcohol.   The Alcohol Is Still a Drug series offers viewers the following learning objectives: Summarize the current impacts of problematic alcohol use in various/special populations, including pregnant women, youth, rural, and minority populations Assess and prioritize alcohol reduction efforts in targeted settings Describe the current efforts to curb problematic alcohol use, including best practices in providing treatment Understand the importance of person-centered approaches to treatment and recovery  

  The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The September 2022 issue celebrates National Recovery Month and the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month (observed Sept.15-Oct.15). This issue also features new products, such as the Alcohol Is Still a Drug webinar series flipbook and the MHTTC Network's Cultural Inclusiveness and Equity WISE companion training series. Don't miss SAMHSA Assistant Secretary, Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon's video address in honor of National Recovery Month. You will also find links to all the upcoming events and trainings for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. 

The Great Lakes A/MH/PTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.   Alcohol is STILL a Drug: An Exploratory Webinar Series (August 2, 2022) Recording       DESCRIPTION  Alcohol is STILL a drug.  The opioid crisis, increase in stimulant misuse, and marijuana legalization dominate the news— yet alcohol remains the number one substance causing health, social, legal and financial problems throughout the US.  While this series will focus on the hopefulness of recovery from alcohol use disorder, we’ll also take a deep dive into what we know about the full impact of alcohol overuse and the ways it affects every person in the US.     SERIES LEARNING OBJECTIVES These are the overall learning objectives for the full 10-session series:  Summarize the current impacts of problematic alcohol use in various/special populations, including pregnant women, youth, rural, and minority populations.  Assess and prioritize alcohol reduction efforts in targeted settings.  Describe the current efforts to curb problematic alcohol use, including best practices in providing treatment.      PRESENTER Kris Kelly, BS Kris Kelly is a project manager for the Great Lakes Addiction, Mental Health, and Prevention Technology Transfer Centers, a woman in long-term recovery, and subject matter expert on peer-based recovery support services. Kris is also leads the Recovery Community Organization Capacity Building core area for the Peer Recovery Center of Excellence. She has worked with state and local government, recovery community organizations, treatment courts, withdrawal management/detoxification, and clinical treatment developing best practices for integrating recovery supports into systems and services. As a former executive director and director of programs of a Minnesota-based recovery community organization, Kelly is a leader in the peer support movement in Minnesota. Kelly has presented at state and national conferences on topics ranging from supervision in peer-based recovery support services and integrating peer support services into behavioral health organizations to recovery-oriented systems of care.