Past Events

This closed meeting allows KS providers opportunities to share how they are adapting programming in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. This session will focus on Differentiating Between ASAM Levels of Care. If you would like information about these meetings, please email Bree at [email protected]. 

Neurobiology and the effects of dependence will be discussed and how the disease of dependence on psychotropic substances originates. CEUs are not offered for this course. A certificate of attendance will be provided.

DESCRIPTION: This virtual event is the second in the series entitled "Intersecting Epidemics in the Context of Ending the Epidemic: Tackling HIV, Substance Use, and HCV". The audience for this program is mixed- HIV providers, substance use disorder treatment programs, opioid treatment programs and others. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: 1. Discuss the latest treatment considerations for hepatitis C 2. Identify methods for integrating HIV in care 3. Describe best practices for hepatitis C treatment in people with HIV and/or Substance Use Disorder Trainings with 60 minutes didactic and 60 minutes interactive. Breakout rooms will be part of the interactive piece and will include case study discussion. Program Plan: A 4-hour program: 60-minute didactic presentation on successfully treating active substance users for HCV.  Two additional presenters; one from a substance treatment center and one from an MAT service in a primary care setting to each give an overview of how they have successfully treated HCV in their settings. What they had to do to make it possible to treat their patients.   SPEAKERS: Jody Gilmore More to be added   ACCREDITATION:  Continuing Nursing Education (CNE): The MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association Approver Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Social Work: This program is offered for 2.0 CE hours of social work continuing education through co-sponsorship of the University of Pittsburgh's School of Social Work, a Council on Social Work Education accredited school and therefore a PA pre-approved provider of social work continuing education. These credit hours satisfy requirements for LSW/LCSW, LMFT, and LPC biennial license renewal. More accreditation information coming soon. Continuing Education credits issued for participation in CE activity may not apply toward license renewal in all states. It is the responsibility of each participant to verify the requirements of their state licensing board(s). This virtual conference is provided in collaboration by: The Central East ATTC, MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center (MAAETC), the National Alliance for HIV Education and Workforce Development (NAHEWD), the Opioid Response Network (ORN), and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Public Health Training Center.

***This training has reached the maximum capacity and registration has been closed.***    Many of the people we interact with are actively experiencing high levels of distress. This may be due to health conditions, poverty, family challenges, or other life stressors. The Creating Calm training series will focus on attendees’ experiences and provide concrete tools for engaging with clients in distress.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES Participants will: Develop greater empathy and understanding related to distress. Gain insight into their own reactions to distressed people. Gain knowledge about the roots of particular kinds of distress. Learn tools for responding to distress that will improve engagement. Clarify risk and safety boundaries.   TRAINING SCHEDULE   January 12, 2021  |  2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Central) January 19, 2021  |  2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Central) January 26, 2021  |  2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Central)   TRAINER Mat Roosa, LCSW-R   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. He also serves as a local government planner in behavioral health in New York State. His experience includes direct clinical practice in mental health and substance use services, teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and human service agency administration.

COURSE DESCRIPTION The Pandemic and recent incidents of Police Brutality have shed new light on age- old problems in the U.S. – inequality, systemic racism and disparities in behavioral health. These problems have caused an increase in substance abuse, suicides, child abuse, and depression. Unfortunately, equality in behavioral health care is the ideal but not yet the real. Disparities occur across many dimensions, including race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, location, gender, disability status, and sexual orientation – Kaiser Family. This workshop will discuss how the recent incidents of civil unrest due to police brutality and the disproportionate impact of COVID 19 on African Americans, Latin X and aged populations. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Participants will be able to define systemic racism and disparities. Participants will be able to understand the extent of how systemic racism, civil unrest, and disparities has impacted our client population. Participants will be able to list the factors that can contribute to behavioral health care disparities such as provider bias, economic issues and sociopolitical factors among diverse populations.   CONTACT HOURS 1.5 NAADAC PRESENTER Anthony President is a Certified Trainer with the Institute for Human Services, Ohio Human Services Training Program, Author and Executive Coach. He holds a BA in Sociology from John Carroll University. He has served with distinction as the Senior Training Officer, for Cuyahoga County Human Services and worked with fragile families as a Social Services Worker. Anthony has over 20 years training experience in both the public and private sector on a variety of Human Service and Employee Development topics.   This webinar is a collaboration between the Central East ATTC, the Central East MHTTC, and the Central East PTTC.

Description: This course will continue the information from the ATTC Stimulant Package. It will review basics of neurochemistry as it applies to cocaine and methamphetamine. It will also include the acute and chronic effects of stimulants. Cognitive and memory effects will also be discussed. Trainers: Mary McCarty-Arias and Lauren Marker Credits: Each session meets the requirements for 2 renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and 2 initial hours (CPP, CPS) through New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS). The NJ Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services offers reciprocity for CADC, LCADC, and LPC. Participants must attend the session IN ITS ENTIRETY to receive a certificate of completion.

The first of a 3-part CME conference addressing Connecticut's Triple Threat of HIV, Hep C, and Substance Use Disorder (SUD).  Session One: Description of the Problem, will review the HIV, hepatitis C, and opioid use epidemiology in Connecticut; gaps and barriers to engagement and retention in HIV, hepatitis C, and SUD treatment; and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic with relation to increases in HIV, hepatitis C, and SUD patterns. Event Access Code: AETC

Please join us for our virtual talking circle. This group will be facilitated by a Native guest 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. Please note your time zone: 1:30-3 EST . 12:30-2 CST . 11:30-1 MST . 10:30-12 PST . 9:30-11 . AKST

Research suggests that race and ethnicity are predictors of how services are delivered, and implicit bias is one component that has been identified as influencing the provision of poor care. The elusiveness of unconscious bias underscores provider perception, unwitting use of stigmatic language, and influences assumptions and microaggressions affecting a person's capacity to respond to care. This interactive two-hour training will discuss how cognitive bias develops, is sustained by intrinsic and environmental factors, and contributes to inequitable outcomes for persons of color. The content will also inform on bias reducing techniques and person-first language approaches that can enhance provider-client interactions and outcomes for marginalized communities.

This CHERISH (Center for Health Economics of Treatment Interventions for Substance Use Disorder, HCV, and HIV) sponsored seminar will provide an in-depth review of methods for conducting an economic evaluation alongside a clinical trial. Statistical methods frequently employed in applied health econometric studies (two-part, and generalized linear models, recycled predictions, mixed effects, longitudinal analysis, etc.), and best practices for data collection and analysis will be discussed, with examples using Stata statistical software; however, experience with Stata is not a prerequisite. This seminar is designed for investigators who have some familiarity with economic evaluations, but would benefit from a more detailed outline of the methods involved and examples of their application.

The purpose of this training is to provide an overview of substance use disorders and to develop practical skills when working with persons with substance use disorder for healthcare interpreters. After the training participants will be able to: •    Describe the professional guidelines and ethical framework of Healthcare Interpreters •    Identify and list common substance use disorders and their slang terms •    Apply practical skills utilizing role playing with appropriate case scenarios

This unique 6-part winter months series, presented by the National AI/AN ATTC, provides the viewers with an opportunity to discuss strength-based cultural practices and teachings to our peers, friends, and relatives. The Topics will include Winter Ceremony, Singing/ Spirituality, Family Storytelling, Hunting, Beading, Preparing Medicines, Being Good Relatives, Building Relationships with Everything Around Us, Healing, Sharing, Giving, and Keeping the Fire Lit. Our hope is to offer a safe and supportive venue to help guide each other through the increasing infection rate, illnesses, and deaths related to COVID-19 that we anticipate are coming the next 3 months. A stark and troubling time indeed, but we will persevere The Light to greet us in Springtime and the better days to come. Please join us every other Friday at 1-3pm CST as we stand united together in supporting and strengthening our resolve. This special winter series is open all who wish to attend.

The NIATx Virtual Change Leader Academy is the new web-based version of the popular NIATx Change Leader Academy (CLA). The CLA has given thousands of behavioral health organizations the tools to make real changes that improve their systems of care. This interactive, expert-led program includes four weekly 90-minute learning sessions. An optional follow-up series consists of four monthly individual and group coaching sessions. This training is offered at no cost and is supported by funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).   LEARNING OBJECTIVES Participants in the virtual CLA will learn: The NIATx principles and how they motivate positive change How to build a change team and integrate NIATx principles at the organizational level How to conduct a change project to improve a specific process within their organization   NAADAC CEUs Registrants who complete all four weekly virtual session will be eligible to receive 5.5 NAADAC CEUs. An additional 3.5 NAADAC CEUs will be available to registrants who complete all assignments and attend all optional monthly coaching sessions.    MANDITORY SESSIONS TRAINING SCHEDULE (PART "A") January 7, 2021    |  10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Central) January 14, 2021  |  10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Central) January 21, 2021  |  10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Central) January 28, 2021  |  10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Central)   **OPTIONAL** MONTHLY SESSIONS TRAINING SCHEDULE (PART "B") Feb. 18, 2021  |  10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Central) Mar. 18, 2021  |  10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Central) April 15, 2021  |  10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Central)   TRAINER Mat Roosa, LCSW-R   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. He also serves as a local government planner in behavioral health in New York State. His experience includes direct clinical practice in mental health and substance use services, teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and human service agency administration.         

Please join us for our ESAS session on January 6th, 2021 from 12-1:30pm CST, featuring our special guest speaker, Dr. Avis Garcia! 1-2:30 EST . 12-1:30 CST . 11-12:30 MST . 10-11:30 PST . 9-10:30 AKST

Contingency management (CM) is an effective behavioral intervention that provides tangible reinforcement when target behaviors are completed and objectively verified. A large body of literature supports CM’s use for the treatment of persons with substance use disorders (SUDs). Many applications of CM in treating SUDs focus on abstinence, providing monetary rewards or prizes when clients provide objective evidence of abstinence from drugs (e.g., urine samples). Contingency management has also been adapted successfully to reinforce other behaviors, including treatment attendance, medication adherence, and treatment-related activities (e.g., submitting job applications, attending medical appointments). Despite this strong empirical foundation, CM has only been widely disseminated within large self-contained healthcare systems (e.g., Veterans Affairs).  This workshop will review the application of CM to promote positive behavior change in substance use disorder treatment settings.  Attendees will learn how to design and implement an effective CM program. Specifically, 1) the theoretical underpinnings and supporting empirical literature, 2) different types of CM programs (i.e., voucher, prize), 3) effective design features, 4) most common deviations from evidence-based protocols and how to avoid them, 5) common barriers, 6) how to calculate costs of delivering CM incentives themselves and 7) strategies for designing your own protocol.  [This is a closed event]

Delivering Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Care Through an Interpreter is the 2nd session of the larger series Delivering Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Care in a Community Mental Health Setting. The goal of this series is to enhance treatment through meaningful therapeutic services via interpretation including how to be culturally appropriate with an emphasis on ethical considerations. Please see Session  information below: Session 2: Delivering Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Care Through an Interpreter By the end of this session, the learner will be able to: Identify two strategies to effectively identify your patients’ cultural and language needs. State two tools or resources to help meet their cultural and language needs, specifically during time of pandemic precautions. Describe one of the regulatory drivers of language access and services. Analyze relevant case studies in order to apply one strategy to address the cultural and language needs of patients, specifically those with substance use disorders. Recognize two infrastructure elements needed to deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Identify two clinical areas and touch-points where language services are critical. Explore collaborative solutions between providers and interpreting staff and name two. Funding for this initiative was made possible by grant no. 6H79TI080816  and grant no. 5UR1TI080208-03 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. 

DESCRIPTION: This virtual event is the first in the upcoming series entitled "Intersecting Epidemics in the Context of Ending the Epidemic:  Tackling HIV, Substance Use, and HCV". By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Explain the correlation between HIV infection and Substance Use Disorder and the impact on HIV transmission in this special population. List the current HIV prevention models available in order to have an impact on the reduction of new HIV infections in the United States. Discuss Antiretroviral Therapy Rapid Start for persons diagnosed with HIV as a key strategy for Ending the HIV Epidemic. Trainings with 60 minutes didactic and 60 minutes interactive. Breakout rooms will be part of the interactive piece and will include case study discussion. SPEAKERS: Sharjeel Ahmad, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FACP, AAHIVS Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine Medical Director, Positive Health Solutions Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases University of Illinois College of Medicine- Peoria   ACCREDITATION:  Continuing Nursing Education (CNE): The MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association Approver Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Social Work: This program is offered for 2.0 CE hours of social work continuing education through co-sponsorship of the University of Pittsburgh's School of Social Work, a Council on Social Work Education accredited school and therefore a PA pre-approved provider of social work continuing education. These credit hours satisfy requirements for LSW/LCSW, LMFT, and LPC biennial license renewal. More accreditation information coming soon. Continuing Education credits issued for participation in CE activity may not apply toward license renewal in all states. It is the responsibility of each participant to verify the requirements of their state licensing board(s). This virtual conference is provided in collaboration by: The Central East ATTC, MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center (MAAETC), the National Alliance for HIV Education and Workforce Development (NAHEWD), the Opioid Response Network (ORN), and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Public Health Training Center.

01/05/2021 from 2:00-3:00pm Central Standard Time. 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. 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.

Description: The ATTC Stimulants package was recently developed nationally to focus on cocaine and methamphetamines and the impact of these drugs. This first course will look at the epidemiology of stimulants, both cocaine and methamphetamine, nationally. It will also provide basic information about methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescribed stimulants. The introductory information will include: forms of cocaine, forms of methamphetamines, patterns of use and differences in patterns of use between cocaine and methamphetamines. Trainers: Mary McCarty-Arias Credits: Each session meets the requirements for 2 renewal hours (CASAC, CPP, CPS) and 2 initial hours (CPP, CPS) through New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS). The NJ Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services offers reciprocity for CADC, LCADC, and LPC. Participants must attend the session IN ITS ENTIRETY to receive a certificate of completion.

In this workshop, the co-dependent issues of inter-social treatment and unequal government regulation and the impact it has on our work with clients will be discussed.  Objectives of this workshop, participants will: analyze the personal effects of inequalities and Injustices on the behavioral health and treatment well being of clients; explore social inequalities and injustices of race, gender, age, mental and physical abilities, sexual orientation, voting laws, health care laws, policing laws and education; identify the unique challenges that explicit and implicit conditions of social injustices have had on their work as professionals; identify the historical, societal, social and political effects of social inequality and injustices.

A one-hour clinic will be held every fourth Monday from 12-1pm PT. The purpose of this one-hour web training is to provide physicians, nurses, and other health care providers an opportunity to 1) learn about medications for addiction treatment (MAT) as well as evidence-based practices in treating patients with OUD and 2) participate in case-based learning focused on medication-assisted treatment. Featured Facilitators and Experts: • Thomas E. Freese, PhD, Gloria Miele, PhD – UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs • Cheryl Ho, MD - Valley Homeless Health Care Program • More to be identified!

In the first two sessions we define and describe the impact of unconscious bias on cognition and provider practice, as well as how it contributes to behavioral health disparities. This third session will offer practical tools and strategies for organizations and providers to identify and address unconscious bias and support the delivery of culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS). Discussion will present action steps that providers can take to explore and diffuse personal bias, and further inform on how integrating cultural humility in practice minimizes unconscious bias using a process oriented approach to care consequently increasing behavioral health equity.

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. 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. TUESDAYS, November 10 and 24, Dec 8 and 22 3-4 EDT . 2-3 CDT . 1-2 MDT . 12-1 PDT . 11-12 AKDT

Building off the psychological framework of unconscious bias as discussed in the first session, this second presentation will review and inform on how unconscious bias is reflected in words, communications, and relations toward persons of color through case scenarios reflecting its impact in the addiction, mental health, and prevention settings. The elusiveness of cognitive bias underscores provider assumptions and perceptions and affect judgment that lead to prejudice, micro-aggressions, and even discriminatory practices in care. The discussion will also identify commonly experienced pressures of personal and ‘on the job’ stress, and other bias risk factors that affect decision making, interactions and client/patient outcomes in behavioral health.