For over 20 years our state’s youth marijuana use has been significantly higher than the United States rate (2021 NM Substance Use Epidemiology Profile). In 2021 New Mexico legalized the recreational use of cannabis for people 21 and over. It is important for preventionist to be familiar with this drug as we consider the impacts increased availability may have and implement prevention strategies for it in our communities. This training will provide a general overview of the cannabis plant and how its chemical components get people high and the difference between hemp and marijuana. How marijuana effects the entire body, consequences for short- and long-term use, and evidence-based and best practice prevention strategies will also be reviewed. A summary of the laws will be provided for reference. 

Note: this is a self-paced online training so be prepared and set aside dedicated time to work on this training.

FACILITATOR: Paula Feathers, MA
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: 6.6 Drug Specific 
LOCATION: Self-paced Online Training, open from October 3-12, 2022

As a Preventionist you may be called on to provide trainings, presentations, participate in town hall meetings, community gatherings, and other events that will require you to speak confidently in front of other people. No one is born being a great public speaker. It takes training and practice. You will learn and practice how to 1) get out of your own way and manage your communication anxiety, 2) read and adapt to your audience, and 3) speak in a conversational way that enhances credibility and improves effectiveness. You will get to practice in a safe learning environment. This hybrid course will provide opportunities to cultivate online and in-person speaking skills that will be relevant to your role as a preventionist. Note: people must attend both the Zoom and in-person sessions.

FACILITATOR: Lissa Knudsen, MPH
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: 9.9
SESSIONS: Live web-based, Oct. 17 (9:00-12:00 Zoom) In-person, Oct. 19 (9:00-4:00 Albuquerque)

Environmental strategies can be challenging to implement for many reasons. Most do not have established guidance on the specific activities required because variables like community capacity, resources, and readiness vary from community to community. This training will use outcome-based planning as the foundation for conducting an environmental strategy in your community. Outcome-based planning requires you to identify the results of your strategy and to align your activities/tasks with those outcomes. Participants will also use project management tools to identify and prioritize tasks and develop an action plan to complete those tasks. This training will require you to bring an environmental strategy you are currently working on or will soon be implementing to use throughout the training. You will leave with an action plan you can begin using. Note: Participants are encouraged to bring a computer that has Excel on it and if you are OSAP funded, your strategies Work Plan.

FACILITATOR: Paula Feathers, MA
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: 6.6 
SESSION: held in-person in Albuquerque, November 9, 2022 (9:00 - 4:00) 

Establishments that sell and serve alcohol play a complex role in prevention. While these outlets are a crucial part of local economies, they can also contribute to problems related to excessive drinking and underage drinking in our communities. This training will help you support local businesses who hold liquor licenses to comply with the laws and partner with prevention to improve community well-being. Participants will learn about best practices in preventing sales and service to intoxicated persons and minors in both on and off premise establishments. We will also explore the impacts of recent statewide policy changes and learn about key alcohol control policies that might have a positive impact at the local or state level.

FACILITATOR: Shelley Mann-Lev, MPH
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: 6.6 
SESSIONS: Live-web-based (Zoom), November 15 &16, 2022 (9:00 - 12:00 each day) 

Effective prevention requires individual meetings, small and large group gatherings, community events, educational sessions, and many other inter-personal interactions. Creating safety and trust in these environments is a foundational piece of community and relationship building. Trauma can affect a person’s participation and behavior at these types of events. This training will provide an overview of how trauma impacts human physiology, brain development, the stress response system and ultimately behavior. Participants will explore stress and trauma in the context of day-to-day stressors as well as the implications and impact of childhood adversity on adult health and wellbeing.  Participants will identify specific ways they can create safety through actions and words and will feel more prepared to use trauma sensitive approaches in their work.

FACILITATOR: Donna Lucero, MA, LPCC
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: 7.2 
SESSIONS: Live-web-based (Zoom), November 29 & 30, 2022 (9:00 - 12:15 each day) 

This training is for people who have met criteria to apply for their Certified Prevention Specialist Credential and will be testing within the next 6 months. Becoming a Certified Prevention Specialist requires you know the entire breadth of prevention, even things that are not in your scope of work. This training will provide a brief overview of the history/building blocks of prevention and then will move into a review the six domains you will be tested on: Planning/Evaluation; Prevention Education/Service Delivery; Communication; Community Organization; Public Policy and Environmental Change; and Professional Growth/Responsibility. Because this is test preparation, you must come to this training with a working knowledge of each of these areas. Participants will also explore sample test questions and discuss test taking strategies. Prerequisite: Participants must have taken the Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training (within the past 5 years) and Prevention Ethics. This training will meet for 4 mornings (9:00-12:00). Participants must be able to attend each session in its entirety. 

FACILITATOR: Ginny Adame, SCPS
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: 13.2
SESSIONS: Live web-based, December 12-15, 2022 (9:00 - 12:00 each day)