Toolkit
SAMHSA’s Community Opioid Overdose Reversal Medications (OORMs) Planning Toolkit is now available!
This comprehensive resource is designed to help communities expand access to lifesaving medications like naloxone to reduce overdose fatalities. The toolkit provides actionable guidance for community leaders, public health professionals, and other partners to create effective overdose prevention and response strategies to improve local overdose reduction outcomes.
Community Opioid Overdose Reversal Medications (OORMs) Planning Toolkit
Published: January 1, 2025
Online Course
A new course titled Introduction to Substance Use Disorders is now open. This course offers a certificate of completion, as well as NAADAC, NASW, CNE, and CHES.
Introduction to Substance Use Disorders is a 2-hour, self-paced course that provides a science-based introduction to substance use, substance use disorders (SUDs), and SUD treatment. It was designed for undergraduate, graduate and health professions students and practitioners who do not have a background in addictions.
Published: December 5, 2024
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
Multimedia, 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.
Session 2: Substance Use Disorder in Women - History, Use, and Treatment
Women experience SUD in ways that are distinct from men. Historically, access to treatment for women has been limited, a disparity that persists today. This 2-hour workshop will explore the emotional, physical, and socioeconomic factors that uniquely impact women before, during, and after treatment. Attendees will gain insights into women-specific challenges and considerations for clinicians, behavioral health professionals, peers, law enforcement, and family members.
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 setting
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 8, 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
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
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
Print Media
DESCRIPTION
As public support and acceptance of sexual and gender minority (SGM) people has grown, more and more facets of the community have begun to disclose their identities publicly. The terms that SGM individuals use to identify themselves are numerous and ever evolving, but respectfully using and discussing these terms doesn’t need to be intimidating. This webinar will introduce a variety of current identifying terms using real-world examples, explore the reasons behind SGM individuals’ varying levels of disclosure, and prepare providers to confidently engage with these emerging identities.
To download the entire version of the fact sheet, use the Emerging Identities button on the right side of the page.
Additional Resources
To view the webinar that accompanies this fact sheet, use the button below.
Below is an article shared by Kate Bishop, MSSA, the subject matter expert on this topic.
Multiple Minority Stress and LGBT Community Resilience among Sexual Minority Men
Published: September 15, 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
Presenters: Bill O’Connell, EdD and Ursula Heflick
The mental and behavioral health workforce shortage has hindered access to care in the United States, resulting in long waitlists for persons who need behavioral health care. Bachelor level practitioners are one solution to increasing available mental and behavioral health treatment across a variety of settings. A Behavioral Health Support Specialist (BHSS) will provide brief treatment for depression using behavioral activation, anxiety using CBT and engage in harm reduction for substance use issues. This webinar highlights an innovative effort in Washington State to initiate a bachelor’s-level BHSS curriculum leading to credentialing to expand the mental health workforce and improve access to care.
Download the slides | View recording
Published: August 28, 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
Print Media
Research has shown what sexual minority and gender diverse community members have always known: families and caregivers play a critical role in wellbeing and lifelong health for LGBTQ+ young people. Family acceptance and support can be an enormous asset to a youth who is struggling; likewise, family rejection can have devastating effects in physical and emotional health, future orientation, risk behaviors, and resilience. Learn more about the evidence that strong family support in adolescence matters for a happy and healthy LGBTQ adulthood, as well as intervention strategies and tips for working with rejecting families.
To download the entire version of the factsheet, use the Fostering Family Acceptance button on the right side of the page.
This factsheet is now available in Spanish. Translation services by the National Hispanic and Latino Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. Traducido por:
To download the full version of the Spanish factsheet, use the Fostering Family Acceptance-Spanish button on the right side of the page.
Published: July 17, 2024
Multimedia, Presentation Slides
This 1.5-hour webinar is intended for mental health professionals who work with individuals who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) comorbidity. According to research, PTSD and SUDs are extremely prevalent co-occurring disorders, with each diagnosis raising the chance of the other. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has established six principles of trauma-informed care that are intended to promote a supportive and healing environment for those who have suffered trauma. The presenters will go over these six principles and how to implement them when assisting clients recover. These principles guide the delivery of trauma-informed care, ensuring that services are compassionate, respectful, and successful in meeting the varied needs of trauma survivors. This webinar aims to provide attendees with evidence-based methods and practical tools for facilitating change and promoting recovery in this dual-diagnosis population.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Discuss the prevalence and impact of co-occurring PTSD and SUD
Understand the six principles of trauma-informed care
Implement trauma-informed care in clinical practice
TRAINERS:
Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC, is an international speaker in behavioral health whose presentations have reached thousands throughout the United States, England, Canada, Spain, Lithuania, West Indies and Guam. He is the recipient of five behavioral health lifetime achievement awards including the prestigious NAADAC Enlightenment Award. He is Founder of The Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment and Recovery which is the 2023 winner of the Faces and Voices of Recovery Innovations In Recovery Award. He is the author of 5 books on recovery and had had a 30-year career as a university educator.
Isa Vélez Echevarria, PsyD is a Puerto Rican clinical psychologist. She is the Ohio State Project Manager for the Great Lakes Addiction, Mental Health, and Prevention Technology Transfer Centers managed by the Center for Health Enhancement Systems Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During her pre-doctoral internship at Children’s Institute in Los Angeles, CA, she obtained a certification as Interpersonal Psychotherapy Clinician. She was trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Therapy. In addition, she provides telehealth services to communities of color in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico. Her clinical work has focused on culturally tailored and trauma-informed services to Latinx communities.
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: June 26, 2024
Multimedia
Successful individuals in every profession attribute important aspects of their success to a their participation in a mentoring relationship. World leaders, Noble Prize winners, astronauts, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, professional athletes, artists, non-profit advocates, and many of us in helping professions will attest to having benefited from mentorship.
In this interactive webinar, Jamelia R. Hand, CADC, CODP and Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC, will share developing research as well as their individual experiences on beneficial impacts of mentoring relationship. Their engaging discussion will delve into the concept of mentorship, focusing on its critical role in enhancing leadership qualities and clinical skills within the behavioral health sector. Attendees will gain a deep understanding of mentorship, its benefits, and practical strategies for nurturing these relationships to foster professional and personal growth.
PRESENTED BY:
Jamelia Hand, MHS, CADC, CODP, is a seasoned opioid addiction consultant, speaker, trainer, and author within the SUD/OUD healthcare sector. Ms. Hand maximizes her extensive executive experience to deliver compelling keynote speeches, engaging workshops, and dynamic training sessions that motivate and inspire action in addiction and mental health treatment, service delivery, overdose prevention, and staff motivation. Her expertise is highlighted in national publications, and she has held significant roles such as Deputy Director in Illinois, VP of Reentry, and leadership positions in global addiction medication and technology companies, enhancing access to quality care nationwide. For more information, visit vantageclinicalconsulting.com.
Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC, is the Illinois State Project Manager for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. Mark has worked for 40 years as a social worker, educator, and part of the SUD workforce. He is founder of the Online Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment and Recovery and co-founder of Serenity Academy of Chicago, the only recovery-oriented high school in Illinois. Mark is also an international speaker, trainer, and consultant in the behavioral health field whose work has reached thousands throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, and the British Islands.
Recently, Mark Sanders was named as the 2021 recipient of the NAADAC Enlightenment Award in recognition of his outstanding work and contributions to NAADAC, the field of SUD services, and SUD professionals. He is also the recipient of the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health’s 2021 Lawrence Goodman Friend of the Field award in honor of the many years of dedicated service Mark has provided to communities throughout his home state of Illinois.
Published: June 21, 2024
Website
The New England ATTC Co-Director, Dr. Sara Becker, has a Commentary out in Addiction titled, “Contingency Management Needs Implementation Science.” Dr. Becker was invited to contribute this commentary in recognition of her – and by extension the New England ATTC’s - reputation as a national leader in efforts to increase access to contingency management in specialty addiction treatment settings. This commentary asserts that efforts to increase access to contingency management must be informed by rigorous methods of implementation science.
Click here for access to the full text.
Published: June 17, 2024
eNewsletter or Blog
The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.
The September 2024 issue features content celebrating National Recovery Month, Suicide Prevention Month, and a new Counselor's Corner blog post by Mark Sanders and Isa Velez Echevarria. You will also find links to upcoming trainings and new products from our 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: June 6, 2024
eNewsletter or Blog
The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.
The June 2024 issue features content celebrating Pride Month, PTSD Awareness Month, and Intersection of Addiction and Racism: A Curated Bibliography‒a new comprehensive resource created by AMERSA, the ATTC NCO, and the PTTC NCO. You will also find links to upcoming trainings focused on the therapeutic benefits of humor in treatment and recovery, prevention efforts in rural communities, and trauma-informed care for transition-age youth.
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: June 6, 2024
Multimedia, Presentation Slides
Humor is a part of daily living that has been shown to improve mental, physical, and emotional health. Laughter can bring us through some of the darkest times when hope seems glim. Despite the benefits and need for laughter and humor, helping professionals are taught very little about the therapeutic benefits of humor in treatment and recovery. In fact, it is sometimes discouraged in the helping professions. In this presentation you will learn strategies to incorporate humor in your work with clients.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:
Understand the research on the benefits of using humor to improve physical, mental and emotional health
Use humor more effectively in your work with clients
Use humor to improve rapport with clients and to help clients grow in recovery
Use humor to help reduce burnout and increase organizational morale
PRESENTERS:
Tom Farley
Tom Farley grew up in Madison, WI and graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Marketing. He began his career in banking and finance, living and working in the New York City area. From 1999 to 2012, he ran The Chris Farley Foundation, a nationally recognized non-profit dedicated to substance abuse prevention. Like his brother, Tom was successful in opening the “eyes and ears” of youth audiences through the powerful and effective use of humor. In 2008 he wrote “The Chris Farley Show”, a New York Time bestselling biography of his late brother, the actor and comedian Chris Farley. He has been interviewed on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Larry King Live, Fox News and The View. He has also been featured in People Magazine, USA Today and several national and regional newspapers and publications. Tom has served on the Dane County Human Services board and several non-profit boards. Tom works for Rosecrance Behavioral Health as the Professional Relations Coordinator for Wisconsin. He is also a motivational speaker, delivering messages on prevention and recovery. Tom lives in Madison, WI.
Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC
Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC, is the Illinois state project manager for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. He is an international speaker and behavioral health consultant whose presentations and publications have reached thousands throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, West Indies, Lithuania, and Guam. He is the recipient of four lifetime achievement awards, including NAADAC’s prestigious Enlightenment Award, the National Association for Addiction Professionals’ 50th Anniversary Legends Award, the Illinois Certification Board's Professional of the Year Award and Jessica Hayes Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Barbara Bacon Award for outstanding contributions to the social work profession as an alumnus of Loyola University of Chicago.
Mark is the author of five books on behavioral health recovery. Recent writings include Slipping Through the Cracks: Intervention Strategies for Clients with Multiple Addictions Disorders and Relationship Detox: A Counselors Guide To Helping Clients Develop Healthy Relationships In Recovery. His groundbreaking monograph, Recovery Management, co-authored with historians William White and Earnest Kurtz, helped shift substance use disorders treatment and recovery from the acute care model towards a recovery-oriented system of care. Mark is the primary contributing author of a trauma-informed gun violence prevention curriculum which is now being implemented in several large cities throughout the U.S., and he authored two stories published in the New York Times bestselling Chicken Soup for The Soul book series.
In addition to his behavioral healthcare work, Mark has a 30-year career as a university educator, having taught at The University of Chicago, Loyola University of Chicago, and Illinois State University School of Social Work. He is also the co-founder of Serenity Academy Chicago, a program which sponsors recovery-oriented peer groups in local high schools.
The Great Lakes A/MHTTC 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: June 5, 2024
Other
Our guests Patricia Gruits, Architect and Co-Executive Director at MASS Design Group, and Alejandra Cervantes, Director and Design Researcher, lead us in a thoughtful discussion that covers ways design can either hurt or heal, what it really means to engage the community that the space will ultimately serve, the tension between ensuring safety and being surveilled, and how leaders can navigate their own anxiety when, instead of pushing for action and taking charge, they need to “move at the speed of trust” by making space and time for exploring new perspectives and solutions, unleashing everyone’s creativity, really listening, and consistently nurturing relationships.
Published: May 31, 2024
Other
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,“The State of the Research on Opioid Outcomes Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Other Sexuality- and Gender-Diverse Populations: A Scoping Review” by Paschen Wolff and colleagues. A summary of the discussion is available for download.
Article link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Z2D4vd6vjU6xv7NTFYR85KmrmT1M73f/view
Published: May 18, 2024
Other
Join us for a heart-warming discussion about the innovative ways a nonprofit in Independence, Missouri, is supporting community belonging and well-being by offering warm hospitality, gorgeous food, delicious drinks, and welcoming space, all intentionally-sourced, mindfully prepared, and beautifully-presented.
Our guests this time are Estela Gutierrez, Manager of BlendWell Community Cafe, and Jennifer Manuleleua, Senior Vice President of Community Development for Community Services League. They remind us that relationships really matter, intentionality is key, details make the difference, any product or service can be a tool for nurturing community resilience, and beauty and joy are important experiences for everyone.
Published: May 17, 2024