Past Events

The New England ATTC, in partnership with AdCare Educational Institute of New England is hosting this session at the Virtual New England Summer School on 6/10/21 from 10:30am to 3:45pm with subject matter experts Michele Stewart-Copes and Lisa Conlan Lewis. Wraparound refers to individualized needs planning  for individuals and family members experiencing behavioral health issues; and related community obstacles surrounding substance use and mental health. The training will be offered to family members, Community Health Workers and Behavioral Health Providers. The focus will be on parents/family members, children, youth, and young adults impacted by opioid addiction and substance use challenges. 

  This session will be a guided discussion for TOR Grantees to share your expertise, unique tribal and community practices, and offer peer-to-peer support for your TOR program. In 2021, we will be holding this session on the second Wednesday of each month for an hour and a half: 4 - 5:30 EST . 3-4:30 CST . 2-3:30 MST . 1-2:30 PST . 12-1:30 AKST

Motivational interviewing is an empathic, goal-oriented therapeutic approach that elicits change in health, mental health, and addictive behaviors. Originally an alternative to addiction approaches that relied on an expert, authoritarian stance in counseling, MI has evolved into a mainstream, evidence-based, and highly-used method for eliciting change that helps people live better and healthier across a wide variety of settings, clinical problems, and populations. MI was developed as an individual approach, focusing on dyadic interactions between the person and the counselor. However, adapting MI for use with a group of people requires reconceptualizing its core practices to harness the power of group support, cohesion and momentum. Group leadership requires skills beyond those in dyadic counseling. Managing “conversational traffic” and facilitating open sharing among people with different experiences, goals, styles, and beliefs are essential skills for group leaders. Effective leaders must be well-prepared to address unexpected situations and maintain therapeutic bonds with individual group members while facilitating a conversation among the whole group. This six-session experiential training provides information on adapting MI to groups across a variety of formats, and is highly experiential, leading participants through group practice exercises across the four phases of MI groups. Participants will become part of a group, and some will have opportunities to lead the group. Incorporating Motivational Interviewing group skills developed by the trainers, this series guides participants in successful group leadership, refocusing groups away from rehashing problems and toward inspiring positive change.

The objectives of this training are: Offer management strategies to identify signs for suicide prevention. Identify courses of action to manage and prevent suicide with minors with substance use

This is the final session of the 3-part series Embracing Pregnant & Parenting Families Challenged with Substance Use Disorder. After the session, participants will be able to: Recognize data relevant to addiction and recovery in the United States Define stigma and examine its impact upon individuals experiencing addiction and those in recovery Discuss implicit bias and examine strategies to examine and reduce our own unconscious bias Illustrate the power of language in relationship to stigma and contrast stigmatizing language with the language of recovery Identify actions each member of the health care team can take to reduce the impact of stigma   Presenter Information: Sharon Hesseltine, BSW, is President and CEO of Intentional Development, providing consultation, facilitation and training to strengthen services for pregnant and parenting families who have substance use disorders, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma. For over 30 years Sharon has worked in Public Health and specialized in early childhood development, women’s health, substance use disorder and recovery.     Continuing Education: Continuing Medical Education (CME), American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on  Accreditation (CNE), Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES), Iowa Credentialing Board, Missouri Board of Certification are pending approval. The series will be accepted by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board and is deemed alcohol and drug specific and will be accepted for continuing education for licensed alcohol and drug counselors in Nebraska.     

The New England ATTC, in partnership with AdCare Educational Institute of New England is hosting this session at the Virtual New England Summer School on 6/8/21 from 10:30am to 3:45pm with subject matter expert Haner Hernandez.  This training addresses opportunities for promoting HCV screening and testing, strategies for linking patients to treatment, available treatment options, and patient considerations for treatment. Participants will be able to: 1) Explain the difference between acute and chronic hepatitis C infection; 2) Discuss at least two reasons why it is important to promote hepatitis C screening and testing; 3) Describe at least three prevention messages that can be used when promoting hepatitis C screening and testing; and 4) Provide examples of at least three strategies to link persons infected with HCV to health care. 

The New England ATTC, in partnership with AdCare Educational Institute of New England is hosting this session at the Virtual New England Summer School on 6/9/21 from 10:30am to 3:45pm with subject matter expert Christopher Dorval. Aggressive and drug-seeking behavior creates unique and often frustrating challenges in clinical settings, often these behaviors a fueled by substance use and trauma related disorders. This presentation will offer strategies for addressing these behaviors in an assertive and therapeutic approach while retaining patient engagement. This interactive and experiential presentation offers an overview of the impact of trauma on the recovery process from a social, biological, psychological, and spiritual perspective and will provide clinicians with skills to work people affected by substance use and trauma throughout their recovery, as well as, understanding the conceptual framework of trauma-informed practice. 

The New England ATTC, in partnership with AdCare Educational Institute of New England is hosting this session at the Virtual New England Summer School on 6/9/21 from 10:30am to 3:45pm with subject matter expert Brenda Westberry. In the United States the percentage of women involved in the criminal justice system is no match for men in the same system. There is a growing understanding that women’s issues are often overlooked because the numbers outweigh that of men. Reentry planning involves the use of programs targeted at promoting the effective reintegration of offenders back into communities upon release from prison and jail. The female offender released from incarceration, with a history of substance use faces serious needs as they re-enter the community. During this course, the participant will explore practices that are effective, and evidence-based in providing ongoing support and reinforcement to the female offenders re-entering society. In this course, gender responsive strategies targeting women offenders who are involved in the criminal justice system will also be explored. 

We would like to invite all TOR grantees to join us for a regional meeting! These meetings are intended to allow grantees to share ideas, discuss difficulties, and learn from experts on managing your grant. We will also break up into small groups and discuss common issues that opioid programs face, including integrating cultural practices, harm reduction, housing, MAT access, stigma, and operating during crises.

Do you have questions regarding the use of Motivational Interviewing ? Would you like to enhance or improve your skills? Then MI on the Fly is for you!   MI on the Fly is an online, interactive, drop-in consultation series designed for behavioral health providers to obtain immediate feedback and coaching on the utilization and integration of Motivational Interviewing (MI) into practice. Delivered by subject matter experts, each one-hour session will provide an open forum for participants’ questions, case study discussions, and program development as it relates to the effective delivery of MI-related techniques and micro-skills. The objective of MI on the Fly is to: provide a supportive space to encourage dialogue and questions to facilitate an increase in MI knowledge, enhance current skills and build confidence when using MI, and change clinical practice approaches through the utilization of an MI style of communication.   Please join anytime during the session to ask your questions and share your experiences regarding MI. No registration required! ____________ MI on the Fly is every second Tuesday of the month June - September  June 8, July 13, August 10, & Sept 14, 2021 3:00 pm Pacific Time / 6:00 pm Eastern Time   To join MI on the Fly use the Zoom login below Step 1: Click HERE to join the meeting room Step 2:  Join by telephone        +1 669 900 6833        US Meeting ID: 916 5393 1538        Questions? Please email [email protected] to get your answers.     MI on the Fly is a discussion-based technical assistance event. Continuing education hours are not provided. Participants are welcome to join anytime during the one-hour "hotline" forum and via phone, PC, or tablet. The goal of MI on the Fly is to serve as another tool to increase knowledge, build skills, and change practice through the adoption of evidence-based practices and promising practices. This event is developed and designed for the Region 9 Pacific Southwest ATTC which covers Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau. Registration is not required. This is an open event offered by the Pacific Southwest ATTC. Visit the PSATTC website for more information. See you on the FLY!     

This series of sessions features traditional Native American storytelling, along with time for discussion on what can be learned from the stories, as well as the ways these stories can be incorporated by Native American providers into their work with patients. Second Tuesdays of the month: June 8th 3-4 ET . 2-3 CT . 1-2 MT . 12-1 PT . 11-12 AKT Story 2: Navajo Clan Origins and Histories Please note that while we encourage non-Native providers to attend these sessions to increase your cultural understanding and sensitivity, we ask that out of respect for cultural traditions, you do not use these stories as your own if they are not a part of your culture. Native storytelling is an long honored way of teaching lessons of life. We, as Native people, need to laugh while learning. For example, laughing at how Coyote makes funny mistakes. This can teach people how to avoid behaving as Coyote does. Further, Native legends can offer stories about Creation or the Trickster. However, some stories can only be told during certain times of the year. For example, Coyote legends are only told during the winter time because that is often when Native people would be in their lodges practicing survival skills to help the tribe thrive in difficult times. Traditionally, the storyteller needed to be an excellent psychologist and able to understand peoples’ perspectives. A story might be used in treatment to help a patient come to a realization in a culturally informed way.

This webinar is part of a two-part webinar series. Learning objectives for both webinars: Increase the knowledge of the participants in understanding the mechanisms determining the development of SUD and the influence of different components: genetic and environmental, socio economical and plitical that influence the development of SUD. Part 1 Jun 8, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Time This webinar aims at providing an overview on the problem of Substance Use Disorders (SUD) in the United States (U.S.), mainly in the Latinx Communities. It will provide a definition of SUD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM 5). We will discuss the gross epidemiology of SUD in the main ethnic groups in the U.S., and according to gender and socioeconomical status. Click For More Information Part 2 Jun 15, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Time The Webinar covers five SUD: Alcohol, Nicotine/Tobacco, Opioid, Cannabis and Stimulants use disorders; risk factors for developing SUD and the trends in the epidemiology of SUD during the last 20 years. Click For More Information About the Presenter Jose Azocar M.D., D.Sc. Dr. Jose Azocar is a Medical Doctor (M.D.) and currently holds a degree from the Central University, Caracas, Venezuela and Doctor of Science (D.SC.) from the Harverd University School of Public Health, Bostyon, MA. He has Clinical training in Hematology and Oncology from the Boston VA Medical Center. Dr. Azocas has over 40 years of experience in Primary Care, Hematology, Oncology and Addiction Medicine. He is a Clinician treating patients in addiction Medicine in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

  The Great Lakes ATTC offers this training SUD professionals in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, Oh, an WI. This training is offered in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.     DESCRIPTION: When Dr. Will Cooke, an idealistic young physician just out of medical training set up practice in the small rural community of Austin, Indiana, he had no idea that much of the town was being torn apart by poverty, addiction, and life-threatening illnesses. But he soon found himself at the crossroads of two unprecedented health-care disasters: a national opioid epidemic and the worst drug-fueled HIV outbreak ever seen in rural America.  Confronted with Austin’s secrets, Dr. Cooke decided he had to do something about them. In taking up the fight for Austin’s people, however, he would have to battle some unanticipated foes: prejudice, political resistance, an entrenched bureaucracy―and the despair that threatened to derail his efforts.     LEARNING OBJECTIVES: In this webinar, you will learn about: the basic principles of harm reduction, the importance of empathy and including people with lived experiences as leaders of change, and the elements needed to integrate harm reduction, HIV medicine, addiction medicine, and primary care.     CERTIFICATES: Certificates of attendance will be provided to everyone who fully attends the webinar. CEUs are not offered for this event.     TRAINER: William Cooke, MD, FAAFP, FASAM, AAHIVS William Cooke, MD, FAAFP, FASAM, AAHIVS, is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Medicine and the American Society of Addiction Medicine, specializing in family medicine, addiction medicine and HIV medicine. His work has been covered by CBS, NBC, PBS, the BBC, USA Today, the New York Times, NPR, and others. His book about the 2015 Scott County HIV outbreak, "Canary in the Coal Mine," will be released in a few weeks. Learn more at: www.canaryinthecoalminebook.com    

The New England ATTC, in partnership with AdCare Educational Institute of New England is hosting this session at the Virtual New England Summer School on 6/8/21 from 10:30am to 3:45pm with subject matter expert Haner Hernandez. This course highlights and explores the needs of addiction service professionals working with culturally diverse individuals, organizations, and communities. The participants will be able to understand the role that behavioral health disparities, cultural humility and intelligence, and health equity play in clinical settings and will learn proven techniques and strategies for engagement. The training includes didactic as well as interactive exercises designed to engage participants and elicit their input.

The New England ATTC, in partnership with AdCare Educational Institute of New England is hosting this session at the Virtual New England Summer School on 6/8/21 from 10:30am to 3:45pm with subject matter expert Stephen Andrew. This one-day training, which has a prerequisite of at least a one-day Motivational Interviewing training, will delve further into this evidence-based approach and will provide participants with an opportunity to explore creative ways of integrating this approach into an effective therapeutic intervention. During this workshop, participants will briefly review and practice Motivational Interviewing spirit and some basic skills with an overview of what's important. Participants will learn about change talk and methods of eliciting and also learn how Motivational Interviewing overlaps and integrates with other therapeutic methods. 

The New England ATTC, in partnership with AdCare Educational Institute of New England is hosting this session at the Virtual New England Summer School on 6/8/21 from 10:30am to 3:45pm with subject matter expert Taylor D'Addario. The purpose of this training is to provide information about central nervous system stimulants and their impact on brain, body, and behavior. Specific topics include (1) the scope of stimulant use in the US and beyond; (2) stimulants and the brain and impact of use on cognition; (3) stimulant use and psychosis; (4) short- and long-term physical and mental health consequences of stimulant use and considerations for unique populations; (5) the intersection of stimulant use and HIV risk; and (6) effective evidence-based behavioral treatment interventions and recovery supports for people with a stimulant use disorder.

The New England ATTC, in partnership with AdCare Educational Institute of New England is hosting this session at the Virtual New England Summer School on 6/8/21 from 10:30am to 3:45pm with subject matter expert Linda Hurley. This course will address the treatment of opioid use disorders in criminal justice settings. Treatment strategies for addressing opioid use disorders in these environments will be reviewed, including medications that have been proven effective, and special considerations for correctional settings. Considerations for key partnerships to effectively serve this population will also be reviewed.

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based practice that uses a preventive public health approach to identify and intervene with people at risk for substance use related problems, depression, and other mental health conditions. This interactive training session will provide an overview of the SBIRT process with a focus on the PHQ-9 instrument used to screen for depression. It further includes skills practice for conducting a brief intervention dialogue and reviews essential components of successful facilitation of referrals to treatment.

The New England ATTC, in partnership with AdCare Educational Institute of New England is hosting this plenary session at the Virtual New England Summer School on 6/8/21 from 9:00 to 10:15.  This presentation will offer an update on the opioid crises and overdose prevention and response efforts. The impact of the COVID pandemic will be addressed, and additional current and emerging trends such as fentanyl, stimulants, and new promising overdose prevention and response strategies will be discussed.

The New England ATTC, in partnership with AdCare Educational Institute of New England is hosting this session at the Virtual New England Summer School on 6/7/21 from 2:00 to 5:15 with subject matter expert Brenda Westberry. When faced with racism, we need to address the systemic obstacles to equal opportunities and equal justice.  Racism persists and its effects can be devastating. If violence is a part of this image, it diminishes the quality of that outcome.  Trauma is at the forefront of racism and violence. In this session, the participant will examine a range of factors that increases an individual’s risk of being a victim or perpetrator of drug related interpersonal violence; identify and explore historic forms of systemic racism in communities; evaluate the interconnectedness between race, violence, poverty and crime; and explore the types of violence and trauma related issues that have impacted minorities and communities of color.

The New England ATTC, in partnership with AdCare Educational Institute of New England is hosting this session at the Virtual New England Summer School on 6/7/21 from 2:00 to 5:15 with subject matter expert Christopher Dorval.  Stigma is a major barrier preventing millions of people who are struggling with substance use from entering treatment today. This course will provide psychoeducation for professionals in terms of medication assisted treatment options, as well as, demystifying traditional recovery culture which sometimes creates covert barriers within the recovery community. This presentation is designed to help professionals break that stigma that creates an unnecessary barrier to treatment by understanding recovery oriented language and strategies that can be integrated into practice immediately. 

  The Great Lakes ATTC offers this training SUD professionals in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, Oh, an WI. This training is offered in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholder       DESCRIPTION This three-hour stimulant training, developed by the ATTC Network Stimulant Work Group, presents an overview of stimulant drug use and current treatment options. The presentation includes information on how stimulants affect the brain and body and data on national and regional trends in stimulant use.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Understand national and regional trends in stimulant use Understand the impact of stimulants use on the brain and body Understand current best practices in treatment for stimulant use disorders.   Continuing Education: 3 NAADAC CE hours will be available to participants who attend the session in full.     TRAINER Mat Roosa, LCSW-M Mat Roosa was a founding member of NIATx and has been a NIATx coach for a wide range of projects. He works as a consultant in the areas of quality improvement, organizational development, and planning, evidence-based practice implementation.  

The New England School of Addiction and Prevention Studies, commonly called Summer School, is an intensive 5-day learning experience to further knowledge, skills, and experience in the field of substance use disorder services. For over 50 years, participants from many disciplines have come together to form a unique, diverse learning community. As the COVID-19 challenges continue, In order to meet your continuing education needs amidst uncertainty, we are pleased to once again take the 52nd Summer School learning community online. New England summer programs have been developed to respond to specific needs in our regional workforce. Participants may attend offerings specifically for treatment, prevention, or recovery support, or courses of interest to all. The Summer School provides wonderful networking and combined learning opportunities for participants working in different areas of the behavioral health services continuum.

Data sources indicate that opioid overdoses were increasing in late 2019 and continued to accelerate during the pandemic in 2020. While practitioners and programs are encouraged to increase access to medications for opioid or alcohol use disorders (MOUD, MAUD), explaining the effective intervention to communities in need has been identified as a major challenge of behavioral health. This virtual training will review the impact of chronic opioid use, cognitive impairment, compulsivity factors, and physical dependence for OUD and AUD. Content will discuss myths associated with medications used to treat OUD and review available and effective interventions. In addition, the content will use experiential activities to help participants integrate a person first language approach to accurately explain MOUD to clients and families.