eNewsletter or Blog
The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.
The August 2024 issue features content celebrating National Wellness Month and the Mental Health Workforce Recruitment video project created by the Great Lakes MHTTC's regional partners. You will also find links to upcoming trainings and new products from all three centers.
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!
Published: November 26, 2024
eNewsletter or Blog
This edition of the Mid-America ATTC newsletter highlights resources and events to support the behavioral health workforce, including Trauma-Informed Care requests, CLAS training opportunities, and harm reduction efforts in the Kansas City metro area. It also features holiday support toolkits, professional development resources, and a message of gratitude for those working in the field.
Published: November 21, 2024
Presentation Slides
Explore the slides and video from the Workplace Well-Being: A Guidebook for Cultivating a Culture of Collective Care launch event held on November 13, 2024. The guidebook provides actionable strategies for building a supportive and compassionate workplace environment. It serves as both a comprehensive resource and a reflective journal, designed to help leaders identify and address the effects of stress and trauma, while nurturing a resilient, trauma-informed culture.
During the launch event, participants were introduced to the guidebook's core concepts and learned practical approaches for integrating its tools into their organizations to enhance well-being and foster a stronger, more caring workplace culture.
Published: November 13, 2024
Multimedia
This skill-focused Learning Community conversation defines and demonstrates a way of engaging that considers the worker-task of providing information and/or feedback to people receiving services. This method of collaborative conversation can prevent disconnection, pushback and increase engagement.
This training was approved for two renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and two initial hours (CPP, CPS) through New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS). As an IC & RC member board, OASAS accredited courses were granted reciprocal approval by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee. Many other states offered reciprocity.
Published: October 29, 2024
Presentation Slides
Download the slides and video for the Ethical Practices for Diverse Communities with Substance Use Disorder on October 21, 2024.
View the presentation: https://vimeo.com/1024401301?share=copy#t=0
About the Training:
People in the helping profession must always be mindful of the ethical standards of their profession. Standards change from time to time; therefore, it is important to refresh on the commitments they are responsible for upholding as a professional. It is also our responsibility to be culturally compliant in the services we provide. Race, ethnicity, and cultural background may influence a client's identity and life circumstances. Other factors, such as gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, religion, and ability may also play into the context of a given client's mental health, and relational or personal issues.
This course blends didactic material with interactive and small group exercises to help understand your ethical responsibility while delivering services to diverse communities. We will review relevant ethical standards, discuss common issues and missteps, and give you opportunities to test your knowledge.
Training Objectives:
• Define the concept of ethics and how it applies to working with and delivering series to diverse populations, within the helping profession.
• Gain an understanding of the need for ethical cultural competency.
• Define how drug policies have harmed minority communities and why that is important to understand when treating people with substance use disorder.
• Identify steps in a process for ethical decision-making.
About the Trainer:
Darla Belflower LCSW, CPS
Darla has worked in leadership in the substance use disorder and behavioral health fields for over three decades. She is currently the Clinical Director at Healing House. She has a passion for teaching others what she has learned in those years. She is Vice Chair of the KC Recovery Coalition, serves on the board of the MO Coalition of Recovery Support Providers and is a member of The MO Department of Mental Health State Advisory Council. Darla obtained her MSW from the KU, and she has a BS in Psychology and Alcohol and Drug Studies from MO Valley College. Darla is a person in recovery and author of the book, “I Am Not Anonymous.”
Published: October 21, 2024
Multimedia
Professional boundaries set the parameters of effective and appropriate interaction between professionals and the people they serve. Boundaries protect clients and patients as well as providers. This interactive course will discuss professionalism and ethics, dual relationships, and how to build a safe working environment.
This training was approved for two renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and two initial hours (CPP, CPS) through New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS). As an IC & RC member board, OASAS accredited courses were granted reciprocal approval by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee. Many other states offered reciprocity.
Published: October 11, 2024
eNewsletter or Blog
Check out our October 2024 Newsletter, where we’re excited to announce our funding renewal from SAMHSA and introduce you to our leadership team. Learn more about the work ahead as we continue to strengthen the behavioral health workforce!
Published: October 3, 2024
Multimedia, Other, Presentation Slides
The Take 10! Transforming Care for Women with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and their Families series discusses current issues and challenges confronted by diverse women presenting with substance use, SUDs, and who are in recovery. Studies show that when women begin treatment for SUDs, they frequently arrive with more severe medical, behavioral, psychological, and social struggles compared to men. For these reasons, there is a need for gender-specific services.
Introductory Session: Substance Use Disorder in Women - History, Use, and Treatment
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a biopsychosocial disease that impacts women differently than men. Understanding and implementing gender-specific treatment approaches are crucial for effective care. Historically, women have had less access to treatment, a disparity that continues today. Stigma remains a significant barrier both for women seeking treatment and for providers offering care. This workshop will illuminate the emotional and physical differences women experience compared to men before, during, and after treatment. Additionally, it will address how socioeconomic factors can significantly affect a woman's ability to achieve long-term sobriety. The presentation will highlight common women-specific treatment issues and considerations for clinicians, behavioral health professionals, peers, law enforcement, family members, and other stakeholders.
SESSION LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Understand the history of women’s treatment and current approaches to women-centered care, with a focus on differences compared to treatment for men
Identify up to five key emotional and physical experiences that are unique to women with SUD
Recognize two common ways in which women with SUD are stigmatized
Explore trauma-informed care strategies to enhance quality of care and increase access for female clients
Apply evidence-based practices that are particularly effective in women’s treatment settings
TRAINER:
Ashley brings a wealth of experience and education across the nonprofit, for-profit, and government sectors. She has held various leadership roles in behavioral health and excels in project management, task execution, and organizational improvement. As primary consultant of Ashley Ryan Consulting LLC (ARC LLC), Ashley is known for her ability to grasp larger organizational strategies while meticulously delving into the details of processes and procedures to ensure programs meet their missions and comply with all regulatory requirements. ARC LLC is a social service-focused consulting to satisfy your CARF accreditation, organizational development and evaluation, and project management needs. Based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Previously, Ashley was the executive director at the Women’s Recovery Center (WRC) in Cleveland, Ohio, where she and her team successfully increased revenue by 40% from 2018 to 2022, growing the budget from $700,000 to $1.2 million. Under her leadership, the organization also achieved Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation in 2021.
Ashley is a Chemical Dependency Counseling Assistant and plans to achieve her Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Licensure (LCDC) II by the end of 2024. Ashley as substance use disorder couseling experience at Catholic Charities Matt Talbot and May Dugan, both located in the greater Cleveland area. A part of her master’s degree, Ashley’s capstone project focused on women’s substance use disorder treatment in women and has conducted several trainings based on this research.
In addition to her work in behavioral health, Ashley has extensive experience in health and welfare benefit plan compliance and human resources consulting. She has managed HIPAA compliance projects for large corporations nationwide and is credentialed as a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS). Ashley earned her Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of North Carolina in August 2022, followed by her Project Management Professional (PMP) credential in February 2023. Ashley also holds a bachelor's degree in actuarial science/mathematics from The Ohio State University
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.
Published: October 1, 2024
Other
The Mid-America ATTC (MATTC) is now accepting applications from SUD treatment facilities located in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska that are motivated to move their organization toward becoming trauma informed.
This intensive technical assistance project offers implementation facilitation, a multi-faceted process of enabling and supporting individuals, groups and organizations in their efforts to adopt and incorporate innovations into routine practices. MATTC consultants provide information and resources for organizations seeking to understand the processes of TIC and support for the development of the skills needed to help organizations implement innovations in service delivery.
Published: October 1, 2024
Online Course
This course offers a certificate of completion, 14 hours of NAADAC continuing education, and 13.5 hours of NASW continuing education.
This 14-hour, self-paced course is designed to introduce the terms, topics, and resources essential to clinical supervision. Revised Edition, September 2024.
(This course can be taken on its own, but it also serves as a requirement to participate in the ATTC Network's face-to-face training, Clinical Supervision Foundations Part II. HealtheKnowledge is not involved with hosting the in-person portion. You may contact your State’s office or connect to the ATTC Regional Center that serves your state to see if the 2nd in-person piece will be scheduled sometime in your area.)
Published: September 28, 2024
Toolkit
Designed for organizational leaders, this guidebook provides comprehensive strategies for fostering a supportive and caring workplace environment. The guidebook is intended to serve as both a resource and a reflective journal for leaders to consider how to recognize and respond to the impact of stress and trauma in their organizations, with an emphasis on building a more resilient, trauma-informed workplace culture.
Published: September 27, 2024
Print Media
Naloxone is a safe, life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids. Termed an ‘opioid overdose reversal medication’, Naloxone is easy to carry and administer. This poster illustrates being prepared for an overdose emergency by having an opioid overdose reversal medication on-hand, just like people commonly have a fire extinguisher on-hand for a fire emergency.
NALOXONE TRAINING / VIDEOS
CDC
Naoloxone Training - From CDC, a free one-hour course titled “Talking about Naloxone.” This course includes an optional risk factors assessment for opioid-related harms and provides communication tips and strategies for engaging in and conducting a conversation with patients about naloxone. CE is available.
CDC NALOXONE VIDEO
From CDC, a 30-second video on how to administer naloxone spray to someone experiencing an opioid overdose.
GET NALOXONE NOW: NALOXONE TRAINING
From the opioid overdose prevention advocacy group Get Naloxone Now, this free course titled: Bystander Training for Opioid Overdose Prevention,Recognition and Response is now available. This training:
Describes the U.S. opioid overdose epidemic;
Explains the risk of overdose from opioid analgesics and heroin;
Teaches how to recognize an opioid overdose;
Demonstrates how to respond effectively to an opioid overdose (using animated scenarios, graphic sequences, and narration provided by professional voice actors) and;
Links learners to additional resources, including SAMHSA’s overdose toolkits and drug treatment finder.
OTHER NALOXONE RESOURCES
NALOXONE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (See attachments)
CDC FACT SHEET: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NALOXONE: FACT SHEET FOR FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS From CDC, this fact sheet teaches family members and caregivers general facts about naloxone including where to get it and how to prevent an opioid overdose.
CDC FACT SHEET: HOW AND WHEN TO USE NALOXONE FOR AN OPIOID OVERDOSE: FACT SHEET FOR FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS From CDC, this fact sheet teaches family members and caregivers how to identify an opioid overdose and use naloxone. It also includes the side effects of naloxone.
SAMHSA OVERDOSE AND PREVENTION TOOLKIT SAMHSA’s updated Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit provides guidance to a wide range of individuals on preventing and responding to an overdose. The toolkit also emphasizes that harm reduction and access to treatment are essential aspects of overdose prevention. The toolkit, designed to augment overdose prevention and reversal training, provides guidance on the role of opioid overdose reversal medications, including naloxone and nalmefene, and how to respond to an overdose. It also contains appendices for specific audiences, including people who use drugs (PWUD), people who take prescription opioids, first responders, healthcare practitioners, and others.
To request an 11x17 "Be Prepared" poster to be mailed directly to you, please click Request a Hard Copy
Published: September 24, 2024
Multimedia, Toolkit
The Dissemination and Implementation Toolkit is a resource for anyone who is interested in implementing a change in their work. With this collection of resources, we aim to provide educational information on the implementation process and connect you with additional resources and information to help you be successful in the implementation of best practices for substance-focused prevention, treatment, and recovery practices.
The resources are organized within the four processes of the commonly-used implementation framework, EPIS Framework (Moullin et al., 2019).
Published: September 24, 2024
Multimedia
This interactive learning community conversation focuses on the development of groups and the use of groups as a method of intervention. Emphasis will be placed on group work vs. case work in a group, and the skills necessary to facilitate groups. Prior group facilitation experience is a plus and is not required.
This training was approved for three renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and three initial hours (CPP, CPS) through New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS). As an IC & RC member board, OASAS accredited courses were granted reciprocal approval by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee. Many other states offered reciprocity.
Published: September 20, 2024
Print Media
DESCRIPTION
Microaggressions are subtle expressions that create barriers to recovery and discourage help-seeking. These can manifest as internalized stigma, verbal comments, behavioral actions, or environmental cues. Types include self/internalized microaggressions, like thoughts such as “It’s all my fault”; verbal microaggressions, such as “They brought this upon themselves”; behavioral microaggressions, where individuals receive differential treatment; and environmental microaggressions, characterized by a lack of representation and recovery resources. Cultural awareness is vital in addressing stigma, as beliefs about addiction significantly influence attitudes toward help-seeking. Different cultures may hold varied perspectives on substance use disorders and recovery approaches, affecting individuals' willingness to engage in treatment. To combat stigma, a multifaceted approach is needed: community collaboration, culturally relevant practices, public awareness campaigns, and promoting empathy. By embracing these strategies, communities can mitigate the effects of stigma microaggressions and foster environments that support recovery and social integration.
To download the entire version of the fact sheet, please use the Microaggressions button on the right side of the page.
Published: September 15, 2024
Print Media
This resource helps individuals and organizations navigate the legal landscape in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, ensuring that lifesaving harm reduction services, like naloxone distribution and overdose Good Samaritan laws, are accessible to those who need them most.
This document was originally created in 2021 and updated in August of 2024.
Published: August 29, 2024
Multimedia
This webinar presented August 28, 2024, is intended to help substance use disorders and mental health professionals increase cultural awareness to effectively support immigrant and refugee populations seeking treatment for substance use issues. The webinar will focus on identifying the cultural and social challenges surrounding the lack or limited access to treatment in the United States for immigrants and refugees. During the session, ideas to implement culturally tailored tools and strategies to match therapeutic interventions to those cultural and social challenges to increase engagement and effectiveness in outcomes when treating immigrant and refugee clients will be discussed.
Published: August 29, 2024
Toolkit
The opioid epidemic has resulted in significant increases in HIV, HCV, and syphilis among people who inject drugs. The intent of this Guide is to build the capacity of Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), with an emphasis on publicly funded OTPs, to integrate infectious disease prevention, screening, and treatment services. Integrating infectious disease services at OTPs has the potential to both (i) enhance prevention, screening, and treatment by addressing key gaps in patient care, and (ii) support patients’ recovery journeys by improving their overall well-being. This Guide provides insights, examples, and strategies to support OTPs in integrating infectious disease services into behavioral health programming.
Published: August 22, 2024
Print Media
The Mid-America Addiction Technology Transfer Center (Mid-America ATTC) Impact Report highlights our contributions to the behavioral and substance use workforce from 2017 to 2024. The report offers an overview of our activities and achievements during this funding cycle.
Published: August 15, 2024
Multimedia
Difficult moments don’t have to grow into "incidents" that can threaten client engagement and retention. This workshop is designed to equip participants with basic concepts and preparatory actions that can be used to de-escalate a wide range of interactions.
This training was approved for three renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and three initial hours (CPP, CPS) through New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS). As an IC & RC member board, OASAS accredited courses were granted reciprocal approval by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee. Many other states offered reciprocity.
Published: August 12, 2024
Multimedia
This is a recording of the webinar presented August 1, 2024
Mental Health Professionals, in general, suffer a critical deficiency in pharmacology knowledge, which impedes their ability to evaluate their patient/clients’ needs and outcomes. An advanced degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology can equip clinicians to better meet the needs of people living with co-occurring disorders (e.g., SUD and other mental health disorders).
Click here to watch the presentation online.
Published: August 2, 2024
Multimedia
Behavioral health and health care settings offer a spectrum of programs including substance use, mental health, and medical and recovery services. Professionals providing these supports use an array of competencies to empathize and assist persons with substance use and other psychosocial problems. Always focused on helping others, professionals can experience challenges in practicing self-care for themselves.
This interactive workshop provides an opportunity for providers to review wellness practices and experience the benefits of intentional, micro-structured, self-care interventions. This training was approved for two renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and two initial hours (CPP, CPS) through New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS). As an IC & RC member board, OASAS accredited courses were granted reciprocal approval by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee. Many other states offered reciprocity.
Published: July 22, 2024
Multimedia
Presenters: Scott Boyles and Mat Roosa, LCSW-R
The collective struggle of healthcare systems to engage in timely and sustained implementation of the ASAM criteria and other EBPs has been well documented. Implementation science helps us to understand the key ingredients of effective implementation and sustainment and shows that didactic education is necessary but clearly not sufficient to ensure implementation success.
This webinar offered a brief overview of the ASAM Criteria Implementation Guide, which is based on the NIATx model for improvement which has emerged during the last twenty years as a highly effective toolbox for implementation and improvement of EBPs. The Guide moves us toward a focused sequence of tested process tools for ASAM implementation (walk-through, flow chart, nominal group technique, data-driven PDSA cycles, etc.).
Download the slides | View recording
Published: July 17, 2024
Website
The New England ATTC, in partnership with the IAMSBIRT Study (Implementing Alcohol Misuse SBIRT), has created a suite of SBIRT training and technical assistance resources for pediatric trauma center staff. Resources include separate webinars about screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment, motivational interviewing in adolescents, and IAMSBIRT oversight. In addition, there are worksheets in English and Spanish about safe administration and disposal of opioids, and materials to monitor SBIRT fidelity.
Resources can be found here: https://sites.brown.edu/iamsbirt/previous-cohorts/
Published: June 28, 2024