Past Events

The Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit is the largest national collaboration of professionals from local, state, and federal agencies, business, academia, treatment providers, and allied communities impacted by prescription drug abuse and heroin use. It is the event for decision makers and allied professionals working to address this public health emergency. The Summit began in 2012 under the leadership of Operation UNITE and U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-5th). Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education, Inc.) was created in 2003 by Congressman Rogers. UNITE is a collaborative model striving to prevent abuse of drugs and facilitate recovery by creating strategic partnerships, providing leadership, promoting education, coordinating treatment, and supporting law enforcement. UNITE serves a 32-county region in southern and eastern Kentucky. The Summit is now the largest annual gathering for stakeholders to discuss what’s working in prevention and treatment. Notable speakers in past years have included President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in 2019, President Barack Obama in 2016, Congressmen Hal Rogers, Earl "Buddy" Carter, Wm. Lacy Clay and Congresswoman Susan Brooks in 2019, Congressmen Patrick Kennedy and Newt Gingrich in 2017, and President Bill Clinton and Counselor to the President, Kellyanne Conway in 2018. The Rx Summit is produced by HMP's Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Learning Network, formerly the Institute for the Advancement of Behavioral Healthcare.

According to NIDA, (National Institute on Drug Abuse), substance use is more common among people with a mental health issue than among those without any.  The current global health crisis increases vulnerability to substance use for people experiencing emotional distress, and it’s particularly challenging even for those with mental illness who have traditionally maintained adherence to their medications and treatment plan. For mental health practitioners, addressing added influences of stress and anxiety emphasizes the need to screen for substance use and is critical to patient treatment for those in care and potential patients at intake. This interactive webinar (90 minutes), will review contributing risk factors for substance use and mental illness, and its impact on diagnosis and treatment. Content will inform on validated tools used for screening substance use. Further, content will instruct on how facilitating brief interventions (Screening, Brief Interventions, Referral to Treatment, SBIRT), that are culturally and linguistically appropriate as well as trauma informed, can help address at-risk substance use in clinical and non-clinical environments, and facilitate patient centered care and support. To receive a Certificate of Completion for 1.5 CASAC hours, participants are required to attend the full 90 minutes.

Please join us together for a special virtual series of Native Learning Collaboratives to be held bi-weekly starting April 10, 2020. This group will be facilitated by a Native guest each week and will focus on a variety of topics for addiction treatment providers amid the COVID-19 pandemic concerns.    These topics may include: Mobilizing Virtual Resources in Tribal Communities, Relapse and Recovery, Laughter and Healing, Depression/Suicide, Spirituality and Self-care, Stress Management, and more. There is no fee or expectation to participate in this discussion event. We only ask that you honor your fellow group members, share your concerns, offer support, focus on solutions, and respect the group’s privacy.  

Section 2 of a multi-part series presented in partnership with NAADAC. The structure and process of bringing on Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) staff should be carefully considered before beginning the recruitment process. The role of the PRSS, as well as the flexibility and cooperation of existing staff, will impact the level of integration. To ensure a cohesive team, the entire organization, from administration to executive leadership, will need resources and training as well as implementation support around peer recovery support services and working within a recovery-oriented practice. Doing so will help current and new staff build upon the collaborative nature of the emerging profession, mitigate concerns from clinical staff, and clarify roles. Intended audience: Organizations and professionals who have or plan to integrate Peer Recovery Specialists into their team.  

The Peer Support Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (PS ECHO) is a movement to share knowledge, and amplify capacity to provide best practices. The PS ECHO is an online community for Peer Recovery Specialist and Mental Health Peers to: Share community and statewide resources Learn new skills and tools for doing peer work Meet and connect with other peers

Talking circles are based on the tradition of sharing circles.  Please join us together for a special virtual talking circle event to be held bi-weekly starting April 9, 2020. This group will be facilitated by a Native guest each week and will focus on concerns about yourself, your family, your work, and/or your tribal community that you may be experiencing during these uncertain times. There is no fee or expectation to participate in this event. This is a respectful meeting space. Come share your concerns, offer support, and respect the group’s privacy. Location: Zoom or Call-in Registration Necessary? Yes (see above) Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM AKST 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM PST 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM MST 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM CST 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

Follow-up from the face-to-face MIA:STEP training on May 31st, 2019. MIA:STEP is a training for those that supervise or mentor treatment providers in a clinical setting and are expected to give feedback and coaching to help practitioners improve their skills and effectiveness. This training for clinical supervisors provides practical tools to be used to enhance treatment providers' Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills.  [This is a closed event]

As provider organizations rapidly shift to telehealth services to accommodate social distancing, there is a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty around best practices for engaging clients via these mediums. The fact of the matter is, telehealth services have long been recommended for enhancing client access to treatment, and have been demonstrated effective in doing so. Thus, in responding to this unprecedented crisis, providers have a very unique opportunity to learn how to effectively engage clients using telehealth technologies. The goal(s) of our work remain the same no matter the means of connection: in-person, over the telephone or via videoconference. Informed and intentional adaptations of in-person practices is the key to successfully assuring continuity of connection and services during this challenging time. Participants will review strategies for preparation, as well as skills to employ during, and following remote counseling conversations. This course is being offered in a webinar format via WebEx (i.e. non-visual whereby the PowerPoint slides will be seen; facilitator and participants will not be seen). Please consider the nature of the telehealth interventions most relevant to your work when registering for this course.  This training meets the OASAS requirement for 1.5 renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and 1.5 initial hours (CPP, CPS). To receive a Certificate of Completion for 1.5 CASAC hours, participants are required to attend the full 90 minutes.

Are you ready to start medication assisted treatment (MAT) in your practice,  but have questions about resources and next steps? Join this one-hour forum with a knowledgeable MAT provider who will answer and discuss questions related to: waivers, workflow, medications, inductions, lab testing, patient follow up and other topics guided by participant questions. Participants will have the opportunity to share case studies and receive guidance on MAT implementation. ​​To join MAT OtS use the Zoom login below on the scheduled time and day: Step 1: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/700421159 Step 2:  Join by Telephone (ONLY if device does not have a microphone built in): Phone: +1 669 900 6833 (US Toll) or +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll)                Meeting ID: 700 421 159

Mid-America ATTC partnered with the Mid-America MHTTC, and Mountain Plains MHTTC for Telehealth Learning and Consultation (TLC) Tuesdays, an online series for providers new to or unfamiliar with telehealth to ask questions of our specialists and hear practical advice. During each hour-long session we will spend the first 20 minutes covering a topic such as acquiring consents or billing for telehealth services, then address questions submitted by registrants for that week. This is the 2nd session of the series and will focus on Telehealth Billing.

Native American Summit on Spirituality: Cultural Inclusion into Mental Health Assessments for Native Americans Please note: This is a series of virtual meetings that have been announced in place of our original face-to-face event, which will be rescheduled. Click the registration button above to register for our second virtual session on April 3 from 2-4pm EDT, 1-3pm CDT, 12-2pm MDT, 11am-1pm PDT, 10am-12pm ADT.  The American Indian and Alaska Native ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC have invited spiritual leaders from American Indian and Alaska Native communities to come together to discuss the importance of spirituality in the treatment of behavioral health and mental health disorders. Spirituality is often left out of counseling and therapeutic relationships, but is an essential part of healing and change for many clients.  Behavioral health, mental health, and addiction treatment professionals, spiritual leaders, social workers, and other health service professionals are welcome to attend this important discussion on methods for integrating spirituality into their work with clients.

Would you like to enhance your current knowledge and also practice how to effectively use Motivational Interviewing (MI)? This series will provide a 20-hour curriculum that covers topics and provides interactive practice opportunities essential to the development and/or refinement of MI skills and relational style. Emphasis is placed on the “intentional use” of MI skills to identify a change goal, resolve ambivalence and increase motivation for change.

This 3 hour webinar will review the Ethics Code for OASAS Counselors.  Topics include:  definitions, principles, problem areas.  It will also cover professional responsibility and decision making.  Confidentiality will also be addressed.  For those outside of New York, there will be references to NAADAC’s Code of Ethics.  The Code of Ethics for NAADAC (National Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors) influenced the Code of Ethics for OASAS (Office of Addiction Services and Supports). Goals: Describe how to prevent ethical misconduct State how you would react to hypothetical situations Describe the ethical importance of ethics and counselor wellness   This webinar series will be delivered in two segments (1.5 hours each) webinar training provided under New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) Education and Training. Provider Certification Number (115) Training under a New York State OASAS Provider Certification is acceptable for meeting all or part of the CASAC/CPP/CPS education and training requirements. *To receive an "OASAS Certificate of Completion" for three (3) CASAC hours, participants are required to attend both sessions in their entirety. *If you need to make sure webex works on your computer, click this link!  https://www.webex.com/test-meeting.html Disclaimer The development of these training materials was supported by grant TI082504 (PI: M. Chaple) from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), United States Department of Health and Human Services. The contents are solely the responsibility of the Northeast and Caribbean Addiction Technology Transfer Center, and do not necessarily represent the official views of SAMHSA

This webinar will provide an in-depth examination of the stigma women with substance use disorders (SUDs) who are pregnant and/or parenting encounter when seeking healthcare services. Strategies to reduce barriers related to stigmatizing attitudes and practices will be addressed.   At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:   Identify the unique types of adverse stigma-related encounters that may be experienced by women with SUDs who are pregnant and/or parenting Recognize the consequences that stigmatizing attitudes and practices related to SUDs have on service delivery for pregnant and/or parenting women Describe opportunities/activities that assist providers in reducing stigma and increasing access and retention in healthcare services

  The ASAM Annual Conference Headquarters hotel, the beautiful Gaylord Rockies, is perfectly situated for learning, networking, fun, and relaxation. The Gaylord Rockies is located on the edge of the magnificent Front Range providing a scenic view of the Rocky Mountains. After a day of engaging and informative sessions, unwind in the tranquil and rustic setting of the hotel or enjoy many of the resort's restaurants and amenities.  The hotel is 10 minutes from the Denver International Airport in Aurora, Colorado, the gateway to the Rockies. Aurora is filled with unique attractions, one-of-a-kind activities, and the food-centric Stanley Marketplace. Learning Objectives At the end of the conference, participants should be able to: Identify and describe the new developments affecting the science, policy, and clinical practice of addiction medicine. Compare presented clinical guidelines/best practices with the participant's current practice and identify strengths or gaps. Analyze new research and science to develop practical applications for treatment or further research. Explain recent or upcoming policy changes and identify implications or areas for provider involvement. Create a network of professionals or a set of resources that can be used to support the participant's practice. Who Should Attend Healthcare professionals dedicated to increasing access and improving the quality of addiction treatment and care, including: Physicians and Clinicians Researchers and Academics Residents, Fellows and Students Counselors and Policymakers

This 3 hour webinar will review the Ethics Code for OASAS Counselors.  Topics include:  definitions, principles, problem areas.  It will also cover professional responsibility and decision making.  Confidentiality will also be addressed.  For those outside of New York, there will be references to NAADAC’s Code of Ethics.  The Code of Ethics for NAADAC (National Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors) influenced the Code of Ethics for OASAS (Office of Addiction Services and Supports). Goals: Define ethics State  considerations of ethics from the NAADAC Code of Ethics Review the code of ethics from OASAS Discuss the most common violations   This webinar series will be delivered in two segments (1.5 hours each) webinar training provided under New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) Education and Training. Provider Certification Number (115) Training under a New York State OASAS Provider Certification is acceptable for meeting all or part of the CASAC/CPP/CPS education and training requirements. *To receive an "OASAS Certificate of Completion" for three (3) CASAC hours, participants are required to attend both sessions in their entirety. *If you need to make sure webex works on your computer, click this link!  https://www.webex.com/test-meeting.html Disclaimer The development of these training materials was supported by grant TI082504 (PI: M. Chaple) from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), United States Department of Health and Human Services. The contents are solely the responsibility of the Northeast and Caribbean Addiction Technology Transfer Center, and do not necessarily represent the official views of SAMHSA

A Different Kind of Griefsm  The increase in deaths from drug overdose or related substance use has become a national public health crisis. The stigma, shame, and trauma associated with substance use disorders – before and after a death– complicate the grief process for someone who has lost a loved one to an SUD-related death.   In this webinar, professional recovery coach Gloria Englund will present three video case studies that examine how this complex interplay of emotions contribute to “disenfranchised “ grief—grief that is not openly acknowledged—and create a roadblock in the healing process. The presentation will include time for discussion and Q&A. Presenter Gloria Englund, founder of Recovering u, is a psychotherapist who holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Development. As a professional Recovery Coach, she works with individuals and families dealing with an addiction to alcohol, drugs, food, and relationships. Gloria has personal as well as professional knowledge of addiction and recovery; her oldest son, Aaron, died of a heroin overdose in 2007.  One of her groups, A Different Kind of Griefsm, offers a unique type of grief support for those seeking healing after a loved one dies from a substance use-related death. Her book, Living in the Wake of Addiction: Lessons for Courageous Caregiving, demystifies addiction, defies stigma, offers hope for recovery, and serves as a guide for professionals, families and individuals seeking support on the journey of recovery.

Mid-America ATTC partnered with the Mid-America MHTTC, and Mountain Plains MHTTC for Telehealth Learning and Consultation (TLC) Tuesdays, an online series for providers new to or unfamiliar with telehealth to ask questions of our specialists and hear practical advice. During each hour-long session we will spend the first 20 minutes covering a topic such as acquiring consents or billing for telehealth services, then address questions submitted by registrants for that week. This is the first session of the series and will focus on Telehealth Basics.

Peer recovery support services are increasingly becoming an important part of the behavioral healthcare workforce. So much so, the growth in opportunity is outpacing the field’s ability to define best practices in how to integrate peer services into organizational practice. Nationally, there are various levels of experience and expertise. A continuous area of interest is utilizing peer support across the continuum of care. An important takeaway from those who do it well is that implementing an effective peer support program often requires a shift in the organizational culture. Engaging all stakeholders is crucial in developing peer recovery support service programming. Buy-in and support of senior leadership will contribute to the successful integration. Section 1 of a multi-part series.  Intended audience: Organizations and professionals who have or plan to integrate peer recovery specialists into their team. The Peer Recovery Support Series is provided as a collaborative effort between the Great Lakes ATTC and NAADAC.

  Given recent public health concerns and the importance of social distancing, substance use disorders (SUDs) treatment and recovery support providers are seeking viable alternatives to in-person service delivery. The use of technology through a web-based videoconferencing platform in a synchronous manner (often called telehealth or telemental health) offers one solution. Recent research confirms high levels of patient satisfaction with mental health and substance abuse services delivered via videoconferencing, along with positive treatment outcomes. Most importantly, the skills and knowledge required for delivering treatment and recovery services through videoconferencing are different than those used for conducting business meetings online. This webinar will provide an overview of the essentials of videoconferencing with patients/peers, including: a clinical/support session checklist;  a review of legal, ethical, and patient/peer safety concerns; and  privacy/security and confidentiality issues.    Trainers: Sandnes S. Boulanger, LCSW, MCAP - Clinical Director, Operation PAR, Inc. Maryellen Evers, LCSW, CAADC   Date: Friday, March 27th, 1:30-3pm Eastern

As provider organizations rapidly shift to telehealth services to accommodate social distancing, there is a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty around best practices for engaging clients via these mediums. The fact of the matter is, telehealth services have long been recommended for enhancing client access to treatment, and have been demonstrated effective in doing so. Thus, in responding to this unprecedented crisis, providers have a very unique opportunity to learn how to effectively engage clients using telehealth technologies. The goal(s) of our work remain the same no matter the means of connection: in-person, over the telephone or via videoconference. Informed and intentional adaptations of in-person practices is the key to successfully assuring continuity of connection and services during this challenging time. Participants will review strategies for preparation, as well as skills to employ during, and following remote counseling sessions, that support the effective use of telephone and video mediums.

As provider organizations rapidly shift to telehealth services to accommodate social distancing, there is a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty around best practices for engaging clients via these mediums. The fact of the matter is, telehealth services have long been recommended for enhancing client access to treatment, and have been demonstrated effective in doing so. Thus, in responding to this unprecedented crisis, providers have a very unique opportunity to learn how to effectively engage clients using telehealth technologies. The goal(s) of our work remain the same no matter the means of connection: in-person, over the telephone or via videoconference. Informed and intentional adaptations of in-person practices is the key to successfully assuring continuity of connection and services during this challenging time. Participants will review strategies for preparation, as well as skills to employ during, and following remote counseling sessions, that support the effective use of telephone and video mediums.

The Peer Support Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (PS ECHO) is a movement to share knowledge, and amplify capacity to provide best practices. The PS ECHO is an online community for Peer Recovery Specialist and Mental Health Peers to: Share community and statewide resources Learn new skills and tools for doing peer work Meet and connect with other peers

The Mountain Plains ATTC Semi-Annual Advisory Board Meeting will take place on March 25, 2020, via zoom.   *This event is only open to our current advisory board members.