This training is one of the most important a Preventionist can take. This “boot camp” uses an interactive format to introduce the history of prevention and examines theories put into practice in our profession. Participants will also take an in depth look at the Strategic Prevention Framework and the activities that fall under each component (assessment, capacity, planning, implementation, evaluation, cultural competence and sustainability). You will be provided with a manual that will serve as an excellent reference source for years to come. This training has been updated with a lot of new information and will be useful to both the novice and experienced preventionist. To successfully complete this course participants must complete online work before the afternoon session. If online work is not completed CEHs cannot be issued. Plan on spending 4 full days on this training (8:00-5:00).

FACILITATOR: Tiffany M. Martinez-Durant, MS, MCHES, CPS
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: 33.6
HYBRID SCHEDULE: Online work in mornings; Live web-based sessions 1:00-5:00.

The Training System is honored to provide this amazing training opportunity! The original developers of the Community Readiness Model (CRM), Barbara Plested, Ph.D., and Pamela Jumper Thurman, Ph.D will provide instruction on what the model is and how to use it in communities. Community readiness is a nine stage multi-dimensional model to facilitate community change and engage community investment. The model was developed 26 years ago (at Colorado State University) in Native communities and has been found to be universally effective at addressing many social issues. This model is community-specific, issue specific and was designed to build cooperation among systems and individuals while incorporating the culture of the community. In a cost effective and resource effective manner, it helps mobilize communities to develop intervention strategies for prevention. Community Readiness is theoretically based and is a respectful, step by step, approach to creating positive and healthy community change. When applied to prevention, or other social issues, community readiness determines and guides the timing for each step of effort aimed at changing community norms, behaviors and attitudes.

FACILITATORS: Barbara Plested, Ph.D. and Pamela Jumper Thurman, Ph.D.
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: 7.6
SESSIONS: Live web-based (9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. each day)

Never have we been tasked with creating community change with only virtual technology. When we provide prevention services like meetings, increasing knowledge and awareness, and planning sessions virtually, we must do so in a way that creates and maintains enthusiasm for participants.  Effective and engaging meetings require creative uses of technology and thorough preparation. Take away shared space and direct human interaction, the meeting facilitator needs new tools to create community. This training will provide an overview of the elements of effective meetings. We will also review facilitation tips and practice interactive activities geared to virtual meetings. By the end of the training everyone will identify at least 3 ways they will make their meeting(s) more engaging.

FACILITATOR: Paula Feathers, MA
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: 6.6
SESSIONS: Live web-based, Oct 5-6 (9:00am - 12:00 noon 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/Use 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, Oct 25, 26, 27, 28 (9:00am - 12:00 noon each day) 

This training will aim to provide deeper understanding of stigma and the need for multifaceted responses. The training will include an overview of what stigma is and how it effects us and our communities. During the training we will move beyond the theory and definitions to examine how stigma plays a role in our own lives and communities. This will be an interactive training that urges participants to be present (cameras on, interaction and genuine participation) in the process of addressing stigma. .

FACILITATOR: Piper Coalson, MPH
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: 6.6
SESSIONS: Live web-based, Nov 3-4, (9:00am - 12:00 noon each day) 

In March 2021, the New Mexico state legislature passed HB 255. This landmark alcohol legislation is reshaping liquor sales in our state, and preventionists need to be ready to address the impacts of major changes in the alcohol environment. This training will take a look at how alcohol consumption has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic so that our prevention efforts can focus on emerging patterns of risky behavior.  During the training, you will learn the details of the new law and regulations and analyze potential impacts on problem drinking and youth access. Finally, we will discuss how to adapt responsible beverage service (RBS) strategies to reduce the risk of harms caused by increased access to liquor and home delivery of alcohol. 

FACILITATOR: Shelley Mann-Lev, MPH
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: 6.6
SESSIONS: Live web-based, Nov 16-17 (9:00am - 12:00 noon each day) 

The World Health Organization estimates that 15% (over a billion) of the world population has a disability. In the United States, 61 million adults and 17% of children ages 3 – 17 have a disability. In New Mexico, the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) identified 26.5% of the adult population identifies with having a disability. Disabilities go beyond affecting people physically, whether it is short-term or long-term. Learning disabilities creates a difference in the way an individual processes and comprehends information. Because learning disabilities are “invisible,” it is easy to exclude this population in our work. There are several methods to being dismissive and inclusive in the way we deliver trainings, instructions, presentations, visual aids, and programs. This training will help preventionist understand the various aspects of disability and how to be inclusive in their prevention practice and workplace approaches. Participants will learn about disability policy, understanding the various learning disabilities (e.g. ADHD, dyslexia, mental health, memory retrieval, etc.), theories, models, universal design, and respectful language. Preventionist will gain hands-on experience and knowledge to be supportive of diverse learners. 

FACILITATOR: Leonel A. Diaz Jr., Ph.D.
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: 6.6
SESSIONS: Live web-based, December 2 (9:00am - 4:00pm) 

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 marijuana for people 21 and over. It is important for preventionists 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 brief summary of the new laws will also be provided for reference.

FACILITATOR: TBD
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: 6.6 
LOCATION: Self-paced Online Training, open from December 13-21

As a human develops there are physical, mental, and emotional milestones they work to achieve and are nurtured by family, school, community and society in general.  Development plays an important role in substance use and misuse. The most effective substance use prevention strategies incorporate an understanding that substance use behaviors can fulfill a variety of developmental needs (Griffin, K. and Botvin, G., 2011). Understanding human development can help preventionist identify what strategies should be employed to increase protective factors and reduce risk factors at various stages of life. This training will explore the journey of human development including several psychological theories (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Stages, Piaget’s Cognitive Development Stages, and Cognitive-Behavioral). Foundational explanations as to how development can affect regulation and decision making will also be examined. Participants will review examples of prevention strategies that use these theories to help gain a concrete understanding of how human development shapes effective prevention. 

FACILITATOR: Donna Lucero, MA, LPCC
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS: 7.5
SESSIONS: Live web-based, Dec. 20-21 (9:00am - 12:15pm each day)