This course is part one of a 3-part series found in category Special Topics in Prevention of Substance Misuse. Other courses are titled (part 2) Identifying & Selecting Evidence Based Practices for the Local Community: A Closer Look, and (part 3) Evidence Based Practices: Implementation with Fidelity and Sustainability.

When it comes to Evidence Based Programs there are a lot of questions. What are EBP's? Why should we use them? When are they most effective? This introduction course to our series will answer these questions and more; plus we'll introduce how to find the best fit for a community's prevention efforts. 

In this 1 hour course we will cover:

• What are Evidence-Based Programs (EBPs)?
• Why are EBPs so desirable?
• When are EBPs most effective?
• What do we need to know before selecting EBPs?
• How do you find EBPs?

This course was developed by the Mid-America Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) which is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Certificate of Completion Available

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Substance misuse prevention work is inherently concerned with place. As we work to prevent substance-related harms, the community context is an important consideration when deciding where to implement prevention strategies. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS) allows users to focus on the community context with a robust set of tools supporting data visualization and analysis. The Geospatial Academy for Prevention Professionals (GAPP) will provide you the skills necessary to implement geospatial analyses of community data to communicate work to key stakeholders, assess community need, and evidence the impact of prevention initiatives.

This is part 1 of a 3 part training series that will introduce you to the Quantum GIS software package, culminating in producing maps and analyses to support substance misuse prevention work in your community. Each part of the online training series is self-paced and supported by individual technical assistance.

1. GAPP I: Introduction to GIS
2. GAPP II: Creating a Basic Map
3. GAPP III: Using Local Data to Support Prevention Goals 

This 2.5 hour self-paced course will introduce participants to GIS and a free software application to implement GIS in your prevention work.

This course requires you to download a free software package. Please see our disclaimer. 

This course was developed by the Northeast & Caribbean PTTC located at the Center for Prevention Science in Rutgers University’s School of Social Work. This work was supported by  grant 5H79SP081033-04 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Certificate of Completion

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This introductory 1 hour video course will empower prevention professionals to enhance their cultural proficiency to guide organizational operations. Participants will delve into key concepts and tasks to foster a more inclusive and culturally sensitive organizational environment, using the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF). By course completion, participants will confidently integrate cultural proficiency into their organizations through the SPF, significantly boosting their effectiveness and inclusivity in serving diverse communities. 

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Articulate the difference between cultural competence and cultural proficiency
2. Identify key tasks that direct focus towards cultural proficiency within an organization
3. Describe how organizations can use SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) to guide culturally proficient practices within their organization

This course was developed by the Pacific Southwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center, which is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration through Cooperative Agreement #6H79SP081015-05M006 and covers the HHS Region 9 (AZ, CA, HI, NV, AS, FM, MP, GU, MH, PW).

Certificate of Completion Available

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This foundational course serves as the required, introductory module for the in-person Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST). This self-paced course offers practitioners new to the field of prevention, or working in related fields, an introduction to the history of prevention, key concepts and definitions, specific drug effects, and an exciting glimpse into the effects of substance use and addiction on the brain.

Participants will learn about: Basic terminology and facts; History of substance use and prevention in the United States; Addiction and the brain; and, Effects and health risks of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

This course was developed by the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC).

5.0 Hours Certificate of Completion Available

*Note: this course is a required pre-requisite course for the in-person Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST) but can be taken as a stand-alone course.

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The Introduction to Prevention Core Competencies for Prevention Professionals was designed to introduce practitioners to the essential competencies, knowledge, and skill to work in substance use and misuse prevention. It is based on the Prevention Core Competencies published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The course provides a foundation for service delivery based on prevention science and the use of evidence-based practices. It strengthens the understanding of effective planning and implementation approaches and encourages the pursuit of more specialized training and professional development.

1. 1.Describe the key elements of prevention planning and evaluation.
2. 2.Understand the core prevention professional knowledge, skills, and competencies.
3. 3.Acknowledge the importance of research-based theories and processes that help explain and build effective prevention interventions. 
4. 4.Describe how evidence-based (EB) prevention strategies can be delivered across settings including the family, school, media, community, or workplace.

Prepared by the Prevention Technology Transfer Center National Coordinating Office (PTTC NCO) supported with supplemental funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Award No. 5H79SP081006.

Certificate of Completion Available

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