Supporting the Work of So Many

Every day, prevention specialists and prevention providers across America dedicate their lives to supporting those struggling with substance misuse. Prevention First works directly with those preventionists or providers, supporting their work with the tools, training, and resources needed to change lives and build healthy communities.

Since 1985, Prevention First has been Illinois’ preferred provider of training and technical assistance. We train an average of 1,300 people annually and deliver 55 training sessions.

We employ many different approaches to most effectively disseminate this information, including live events (classroom-based, virtual, and webinars), on-demand options (online self-study and recorded webinar events), one-on-one technical assistance, coaching services, and web-based resources. All of which are rooted in evidence-based prevention approaches. 

The result: Our training and technical assistance services provide professionals and volunteers the training and information they need to effectively impact substance misuse in their communities so they can, in turn, spend their time directly impacting their communities rather than spending valuable time researching appropriate prevention methodology.

To register for a course, please become a member of Prevention First!

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Prevention First Training Policy


Training Options


Classroom-based (instructor-led) training offers a guided, interactive learning experience where participants and facilitators can discuss new information and practice new skills.

Virtual classroom (instructor-led, online) training offers participants a guided, interactive learning experience outside the Prevention First classroom.

Webinar (instructor-led, online) events offer participants a structured learning experience that is less interactive and often has a shorter time frame. 

Self-paced training (online) allows participants to complete the material independently. 

Virtual Classroom

Two-Day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill Building

Thursday, March 13 - Friday, March 14, 2025
08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Online
Description

This two-day, application-focused training will provide participants with an in-depth look at some of the significant changes and improvements in the Fourth Edition. Participants will have opportunities to apply and practice key components of the Criteria, including but not limited to; the six dimensions, level of care assessment, application of Risk Ratings to each of the Five Dimensions, Dimensional Admission Criteria Decision Rules, shared decision-making and an overview of Service Characteristic Standards, Discharge and Transition Criteria.

All participants receive an in-depth electronic training journal to guide the training experience and as a resource for continuing skill application, as part of the training.

Books are not required, but highly recommended.

The Illinois Department of Human Services funds this training and is only open to license-funded treatment professionals in the state of Illinois.

 

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Classroom

Effective Group Facilitation

Tuesday, March 18 - Wednesday, March 19, 2025
09:30 AM - 04:30 PM
Prevention First's Springfield Office (Headquarters) - Springfield, IL
Description

The ability to lead groups is essential to a wide variety of positions within the prevention field. This two-day training builds basic facilitation skills of individuals working with youth and/or adult groups. By the end of the training, participants will understand the stages of group development and the major issues associated with them, as well as how to identify and use interventions that will influence group behavior. This is an interactive training that will incorporate theory into discussions, group interaction, role playing and practice, and applied learning.

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Classroom

Effective Group Facilitation

Tuesday, March 18 - Wednesday, March 19, 2025
09:30 AM - 04:30 PM
Prevention First's Chicago Office (Branch Office) - Chicago, IL
Description

The ability to lead groups is essential to a wide variety of positions within the prevention field. This two-day training builds basic facilitation skills of individuals working with youth and/or adult groups. By the end of the training, participants will understand the stages of group development and the major issues associated with them, as well as how to identify and use interventions that will influence group behavior. This is an interactive training that will incorporate theory into discussions, group interaction, role playing and practice, and applied learning.

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Classroom

Effective Group Facilitation (RYD-TTAS)

Tuesday, March 18 - Wednesday, March 19, 2025
09:30 AM - 04:30 PM
Prevention First's Chicago Office (Branch Office) - Chicago, IL
Description

The ability to lead groups is essential to a wide variety of positions within the prevention field. This two-day training builds basic facilitation skills of individuals working with youth and/or adult groups.

By the end of the training, participants will understand the stages of group development and the major issues associated with them, as well as how to identify and use interventions that will influence group behavior. This is an interactive training that will incorporate theory into discussions, group interaction, role-playing,  and practice, and applied learning.

 

*Note: This is a two-day and all-day in-person training; to receive credit, participants must attend both days of training.

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Classroom

Effective Group Facilitation (RYD-TTAS)

Tuesday, March 18 - Wednesday, March 19, 2025
09:30 AM - 04:30 PM
Prevention First's Springfield Office (Headquarters) - Springfield, IL
Description

The ability to lead groups is essential to a wide variety of positions within the prevention field. This two-day training builds basic facilitation skills of individuals working with youth and/or adult groups.

By the end of the training, participants will understand the stages of group development and the major issues associated with them, as well as how to identify and use interventions that will influence group behavior. This is an interactive training that will incorporate theory into discussions, group interaction, role-playing,  and practice, and applied learning.

 

*Note: This is a two-day and all-day in-person training; to receive credit, participants must attend both days of training.

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Live Webinar

Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Professionals

Tuesday, March 25, 2025
08:30 AM - 04:30 PM
Online
Description

 

The training aims to provide participants with the background knowledge and practical skills that they need to address suicidal risk and behaviors in clients in care for substance use disorder treatment. Participants will have the opportunity to increase their knowledge and apply practical skills in the following areas:

Approaching Your Work: Learn how to manage reactions related to suicide and maintain a collaborative, non-adversarial stance. Acquire the necessary skills to address potential conflicts between a care professional’s goal to prevent suicide and relapse and a client’s goal to eliminate psychological pain via suicidal behavior.

Understanding Suicide: Gain an understanding of the definitions and language used when talking about suicide, as well as the data that are relevant to addressing suicide in substance use disorder treatment including risk and protective factors, warning signs, and the complicating factors of substance misuse, including opioids.

Gathering Information: Identify key points in treatment where a suicide assessment should occur, what questions to ask to learn more about a client’s suicidal thoughts and behaviors past and present, and how to ask them. Participants will practice asking questions in an interactive learning environment designed to help build confidence. The training presents key scenarios, such as when to seek supervision or consultation and what to do when someone discloses suicidal thoughts during a group treatment session.

Formulating Risk: Practice synthesizing assessment information into a risk formulation that will help inform the next steps in treatment. AMSR emphasizes the importance of using a risk formulation not for prediction but as information to make a collaborative decision regarding recovery-oriented treatment planning.

Planning and Responding: Review suggested actions to take based on a risk formulation using resources from SAMHSA’s TIP 50 and evidence-based interventions. Practice having conversations related to safety planning and addressing the potential for relapse through means counseling interventions.

 

 

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Virtual Classroom
THIS EVENT IS PART OF THE CONDUCTING FOCUS GROUPS SERIES

Preparing for Successful Focus Groups

Tuesday, March 25 - Thursday, March 27, 2025
09:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Online
Description

During this interactive virtual classroom course participants will learn how to screen and recruit participants, develop effective questions to gain useful insights, moderate focus groups successfully and confidently, and analyze the results of focus groups to bolster programming. Introduction to Focus Groups must be completed prior to registering for this course.

All SUPS and CSUPS staff reporting hours for communication campaigns who have not previously completed Conducting Focus Groups are required to complete this course.

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Live Webinar

Developing Trust in Cross-Cultural Relationships: Applying Trauma and Attachment Theories to Suicide Prevention Webinar

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Online
Description

Join Prevention First and AllianceChicago for an interactive webinar as we continue conversations about developing trust in cross-cultural relationships. 

 

Objectives:

  • Participants will be able to recognize and respond to attachment needs of young people who have experienced trauma
  • Participants will demonstrate an awareness of how their own experiences may shape their responses in therapeutic relationships

 

Dr. Brenda Huber, PhD - Experienced leader and systems consultant with a demonstrated history of working in higher education and multiple child-serving sectors. Having served as a school psychologist and an outpatient therapist, she is currently providing systems-consultation to communities engaging in collaborative and innovative solutions to children's mental health needs. 

Dr. Rebekah Fenton MD, MPH, FAAP is a general pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist. She is an emerging leader in health equity focused medicine through her passionate care for marginalized youth, speaking and writing-based advocacy, and innovative leadership.

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Virtual Classroom

Two-Day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill Building

Thursday, March 27 - Friday, March 28, 2025
08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Online
Description

This two-day, application-focused training will provide participants with an in-depth look at some of the significant changes and improvements in the Fourth Edition. Participants will have opportunities to apply and practice key components of the Criteria, including but not limited to; the six dimensions, level of care assessment, application of Risk Ratings to each of the Five Dimensions, Dimensional Admission Criteria Decision Rules, shared decision-making and an overview of Service Characteristic Standards, Discharge and Transition Criteria.

All participants receive an in-depth electronic training journal to guide the training experience and as a resource for continuing skill application, as part of the training.

Books are not required, but highly recommended.

The Illinois Department of Human Services funds this training and is only open to license-funded treatment professionals in the state of Illinois.

 

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Virtual Classroom

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training - MHTTA April

Tuesday, April 01, 2025
11:30 AM - 05:00 PM
Online
Description

During this course, you will learn how to support young people in your life and your work.

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adolescents ages 12-18. You will build the skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to young people who are struggling. You will also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.

After the course, you will be able to:

  • Recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
  • Recognize common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
  • Understand how to interact with a young person in crisis.
  • Know how to connect a young person with help.
  • Better understand trauma, suicidal ideation, substance use, self-care, and the impact of social media and bullying.
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Virtual Classroom
THIS EVENT IS PART OF THE ILLINOIS INTRODUCTION TO SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION (IISUP) SERIES

Illinois Introduction to Substance Use Prevention (IISUP) III: A Framework for Prevention

Wednesday, April 2 - Thursday, April 3, 2025
09:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Online
Description

This virtual classroom training introduces Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Substance Use Prevention Program (SUPP) providers to the prevention specialist’s role in service delivery. Participants will be introduced to strategies for program planning, capacity-building, implementation, and evaluation. Participants will also learn about their role in prevention, including an exploration of ethical issues related to their personal and professional conduct.

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Virtual Classroom

Co-occurring Disorders Program

Tuesday, April 8 - Wednesday, April 9, 2025
09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Online
Description

The Co-occurring Disorders Program helps organizations deliver evidence-based integrated care to clients living with co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions. The full series provides a proven, effective treatment protocol which places equal emphasis on addressing all diagnoses, yet each piece of the program can be used effectively as a stand-alone curriculum. This training will cover the complete curriculum, which includes.

  • A Leader’s Guide to Implementing Services for People with Co-occurring Disorders
  • Screening and Assessment
  • Integrating Combined Therapies
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
  • Family Program
  • A Guide to Living with Co-occurring Disorders (DVD)

Objectives:

  1. Demonstrate core components of the Co-occurring Disorders Program.
  2. Recognize value of addressing presenting concerns in an integrated manner.
  3. Explore protocol-driven screening tools that consider each client’s symptoms, history, and motivation for change for best treatment planning practices.
  4. Describe differences between the evidence-based skills of motivational Interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy and twelve step facilitation.
  5. Prepare learners to integrate components of the Co-occurring Disorder Program to provide comprehensive, stage-based programming.
  6. Demonstrate delivery of key sections within the curriculum.
  7. Use experiential practice of new skills and interventions in person and/or virtually.

* Note: This is a two-day training; to receive credit, participants must attend both days of the training.

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Virtual Classroom

Foundations of Youth Prevention Education

Tuesday, April 8 - Thursday, April 10, 2025
01:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Online
Description

Foundations of Youth Prevention Education prepares direct service providers to implement evidence-based Youth Prevention Education (YPE) programs. Participants will obtain a basic understanding of the components and best practices related to implementing any YPE model program. This training will increase participants’ knowledge and skills related to planning, managing, facilitating, and evaluating a Youth Prevention Education program.

All SUPP providers reporting hours for youth prevention education are required to complete this course.

Virtual Classroom Training Note: Regular classroom time for this course is 12 hours. Since the classroom time for this modified course is only 9 hours, participants must complete 3 hours of individual work to obtain credit for the course. Prework will be assigned for each session.

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Classroom

Framing and Marketing Your Program's Message: Effective Community Engagement for Every Audience

Tuesday, April 08, 2025
09:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Holiday Inn & Suites - East Peoria - East Peoria, IL
Description

 

This longstanding MEE Productions workshop is a valuable learning experience for frontline and supervisory staff working primarily in communities impacted by gun violence and substance misuse. Using an interactive approach, this in-person workshop will deliver skills attendees can use immediately to raise the level and effectiveness of outreach and engagement activities.

 

Learning Objectives

After this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Identify and classify key differences between oral-based and literate-based cultures
  • Identify and apply a mix of strategies that will result in more effective communication and relationship-building efforts, including a combination of digital outreach (high-tech) and on-the-ground encounters (high-touch)
  • Increase their awareness and understanding of the worldview and specific cultural and communication dynamics of communities of color facing the highest health disparities.
  • Understand the steps required to develop trauma-informed, culturally relevant, and street-credible messaging and materials
  • Develop messages that embed references to stress and trauma, resilience and healing that resonate with youth and families
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Live Webinar

Navigating the Strategic Prevention Framework to Prevent Alcohol-Impaired Driving

Tuesday, April 08, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Online
Description

Twenty years ago, Tazewell County, Illinois, suffered unimaginable roadway losses. Over 15 months, 15 teens died in car crashes, with half of those teens being under the influence of intoxicating substances. The community came together to form a coalition. The coalition overcame significant obstacles using best practices and the Strategic Prevention Framework to reduce youth substance use and impaired driving. This webinar will describe the community conditions before and after implementing the coalition’s efforts. You will learn the importance of adhering to best practices and why collaboration is the key to success. 

 

Speakers:

Jody Heavilin, Administrator, Alcohol Policy Resource Center at Prevention First

Jody Heavilin has over 30 years of experience in substance use prevention, intervention, and treatment. She led a county-wide coalition through the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), resulting in a 64% reduction in 12th graders who self-reported drinking and driving. Jody worked as a Training and Technical Assistance Specialist for Prevention First before transitioning to the Alcohol Policy Resource Center, serving as the Administrator since 2019. She is responsible for the APRC monthly newsletter, which has a nationwide reach of over 7,000 people, law enforcement training on alcohol strategies, and resource creation.

Jody’s expertise includes the SPF, coalition capacity building, alcohol policy, data analysis, and environmental prevention strategies. She received two Illinois MADD Hero of the Year Awards (2011, 2014) and the 2022 Illinois Prevention Leadership Award. Jody earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Eureka College in 1990.

John Shallenberger, Deputy Sheriff, Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office

John Shallenberger, a Deputy Sheriff with the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office, has dedicated 28 years to law enforcement. He began his career as a Correctional Officer and progressed to the rank of Sergeant before becoming a Deputy Sheriff in 2002, where he was assigned to the Patrol Division. In 2006, John was selected for a position in the Crime Prevention Unit, which he continues to hold.

John's responsibilities in the Crime Prevention Unit are extensive. He is a Certified DARE Instructor, Certified Child Passenger Technician, Certified A.L.I.C.E. Instructor, Certified Illinois Juvenile Officer, Certified Elderly Service Officer, and Certified School Resource Officer.

As an original member of the Tazewell County Teen Initiative, John served as Co-chairperson for several years. He has also presented nationally at the GHSA and LifeSavers Conference about the Tazewell Teen Initiative coalition.

John's achievements have been recognized with several awards. He received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Ford Driving Skills for Life Team, the Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Juvenile Officer Association, and the Innovation in the Classroom Award from the National Association of School Resource Officers.

Sara Sparkman

Sara Sparkman worked in public health for 32 years at the Tazewell County Health Department.  She served as a Health Educator, Assistant Director of Health Education, and Communications Manager.  Through her role at Tazewell County Health Department, Sara wrote grants to secure funding, including Drug Free Communities, Strategic Prevention Framework - State Incentive Grant, Teen REACH, as well as private funding. 

Sara served as the Chair of the Tazewell Teen Initiative for several years after it was created in response to teen crash fatalities. She led the coalition through the strategic prevention framework to access and plan for the reduction of alcohol and other drug-impaired driving.  Sara hosted nationally known speakers at community education presentations and several Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement trainings for law enforcement officers. 

Sara received the Illinois State Police Director’s Award in 2008 for her work with the Tazewell Teen Initiative and the Illinois Department of Public Health award.  She graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1988. She retired in 2023.

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Classroom

Framing and Marketing Your Program's Message: Effective Community Engagement for Every Audience

Thursday, April 10, 2025
09:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Homewood Suites Chicago - Chicago, IL
Description

 

This longstanding MEE Productions workshop is a valuable learning experience for frontline and supervisory staff working primarily in communities impacted by gun violence and substance misuse. Using an interactive approach, this in-person workshop will deliver skills attendees can use immediately to raise the level and effectiveness of outreach and engagement activities.

 

Learning Objectives

After this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Identify and classify key differences between oral-based and literate-based cultures
  • Identify and apply a mix of strategies that will result in more effective communication and relationship-building efforts, including a combination of digital outreach (high-tech) and on-the-ground encounters (high-touch)
  • Increase their awareness and understanding of the worldview and specific cultural and communication dynamics of communities of color facing the highest health disparities.
  • Understand the steps required to develop trauma-informed, culturally relevant, and street-credible messaging and materials
  • Develop messages that embed references to stress and trauma, resilience and healing that resonate with youth and families
Read More
Virtual Classroom

Two-Day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill Building

Thursday, April 10 - Friday, April 11, 2025
08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Online
Description

This two-day, application-focused training will provide participants with an in-depth look at some of the significant changes and improvements in the Fourth Edition. Participants will have opportunities to apply and practice key components of the Criteria, including but not limited to; the six dimensions, level of care assessment, application of Risk Ratings to each of the Five Dimensions, Dimensional Admission Criteria Decision Rules, shared decision-making and an overview of Service Characteristic Standards, Discharge and Transition Criteria.

All participants receive an in-depth electronic training journal to guide the training experience and as a resource for continuing skill application, as part of the training.

Books are not required, but highly recommended.

The Illinois Department of Human Services funds this training and is only open to license-funded treatment professionals in the state of Illinois.

 

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Live Webinar

Harm Reduction Approach within ASAM Criteria Framework

Monday, April 14, 2025
08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Online
Description

Limited spots are available.

This training provides skill-building in the use of the ASAM Criteria as a framework for determining the most appropriate intensity of services and how a harm reduction model/approach, specifically providing strategies for working with clients on goal setting, application of risk reduction skills and evaluation of treatment goals fits within the broader framework of the Criteria’s six dimensions and levels of care.

All participants receive an electronic copy of an in-depth training journal to guide the training experience and as a resource for continuing skill application as part of the training.

The link to join the training will be emailed to you prior to the training.

The Illinois Department of Human Services funds this training and is only open to license-funded treatment professionals in the state of Illinois.

If you have any questions, please contact Maddie Seigfried by email at madison.mccormick@prevention.org or by phone at 217.993.2889

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Virtual Classroom
THIS EVENT IS PART OF THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS SERIES

Ten Steps for Planning and Implementing Communication Campaigns

Monday, April 14 - Wednesday, April 16, 2025
01:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Online
Description

During this interactive virtual classroom course, participants will learn about the steps and best practices involved in campaign planning and implementation.

All SUPS and CSUPS staff reporting hours for communication campaigns who have not previously completed Planning and Implementing Communication Campaigns are required to complete this course.

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Virtual Classroom

Individualized Service Planning with the ASAM Criteria 4th Edition

Tuesday, April 15, 2025
08:30 AM - 03:30 PM
Online
Description

Participants will understand the relationship between the treatment plan and the use of
admission, continued stay, and transition criteria. In addition, participants will learn how to
write measurable, individualized treatment plans based on the Dimensional Drivers and
individualized needs and preferences of the person served. Participants will also have the
opportunity to explore ways in which the patient’s stage of change impacts and drives a
person-centered treatment plan and a cursory review of core motivational interviewing skills
for treatment planning conversations, shared-decision making and to support readiness for
and engagement in treatment.

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Live Webinar

Trauma-Informed Supervision and Selfcare

Wednesday, April 16, 2025
09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Online
Description

This workshop will address the role that trauma plays in the teams that we supervise. Trauma-informed supervision combines the knowledge of trauma and the principles of supervision. Creating a safe environment for supervision is imperative to prevent and treat vicarious trauma that arises in staff by applying the principles of trauma-informed care to supervision. Staff self-care is essential for staff well-being, the ability to provide ethical care, and the functioning of the team/agency.

  1. Participants will review the role of supervision in a trauma-informed environment.
  2. Participants will review the role of vicarious trauma in the supervision process and effective strategies to mitigate it.
  3. Participants will discuss how to apply trauma-informed principles into supervision.
  4. Participants will review the role of selfcare in providing ethical treatment and managing compassion fatigue.
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Virtual Classroom

Two-Day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill Building

Thursday, April 17 - Friday, April 18, 2025
08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Online
Description

This two-day, application-focused training will provide participants with an in-depth look at some of the significant changes and improvements in the Fourth Edition. Participants will have opportunities to apply and practice key components of the Criteria, including but not limited to; the six dimensions, level of care assessment, application of Risk Ratings to each of the Five Dimensions, Dimensional Admission Criteria Decision Rules, shared decision-making and an overview of Service Characteristic Standards, Discharge and Transition Criteria.

All participants receive an in-depth electronic training journal to guide the training experience and as a resource for continuing skill application, as part of the training.

Books are not required, but highly recommended.

The Illinois Department of Human Services funds this training and is only open to license-funded treatment professionals in the state of Illinois.

 

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Virtual Classroom

Motivational Interviewing: Beyond the Basics Training

Tuesday, April 22, 2025
09:00 AM - 01:30 PM
Online
Description

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is defined as “a particular way of talking with people about change and growth to strengthen their own motivation and commitment” (Miller & Rollnick, 2023, p. 3). MI is designed to evoke and enhance the individual’s own motivation to change, using strategies that are empathetic and non-confrontational. While it has long been recognized as an effective way to promote behavior change within individuals in substance use treatment, MI has a wide range of applications beyond the clinician-client interaction. MI’s guiding helping style draws out the individual’s own strengths and desires to help them make the behavioral changes needed to reach their goals. Participants will learn about the guiding spirit of MI and the four tasks, and will have the opportunity to practice core skills and appropriately respond to challenges in an experiential skill-development training.

Objectives:

  1. Describe key aspects of the spirit of motivational interviewing as well as the four tasks and the importance of effective engagement
  2. Describe common traps and communication barriers (e.g. the persuasion trap, the wandering trap) which can arise and contribute to potential discord
  3. Generate effective responses consistent with motivational interviewing to elicit change talk and to help clients explore and resolve ambivalence
  4. Demonstrate use of core motivational interviewing skills, as well as the ability to identify and appropriately respond to sustain talk and discord
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Classroom

Too Good for Drugs 4th and 5th Grade

Wednesday, April 23, 2025
09:30 AM - 04:30 PM
Prevention First's Springfield Office (Headquarters) - Springfield, IL
Description

TGFD is a school-based prevention program designed to reduce the risk factors and enhance the protective factors related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among students. Participants will gain hands-on experience with the core curriculum while acquiring essential prevention education teaching strategies. The trainer will familiarize participants with the research, theory, and concepts behind the program and provide an opportunity for facilitation practice.

The Too Good for Drugs Program has a developmentally appropriate and separate curriculum for grades K-12. This training is designed to prepare facilitators to implement the Too Good for Drugs (TGFD) Program successfully for 4th/5th grade students and with fidelity within a classroom setting.

Too Good for Drugs Program manuals/materials are NOT included with this training program. Participants may bring all Teachers Manuals for the Too Good for Drugs Program for grades they facilitate or at the least, participants should bring a minimum of one Teacher’s Manual as well as one Student Workbook.

Participants who do not have the most up-to-date materials may obtain them from the Mendez Foundation at https://toogoodprograms.org/collections/too-good-for-drugs

Prevention First will have training materials on hand for viewing only.

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Virtual Classroom

Trauma and Beyond

Wednesday, April 23 - Thursday, April 24, 2025
09:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Online
Description

While many organizations are trauma-informed, becoming trauma-responsive means looking at every aspect of an organization’s programming, environment, language, and values and involving all staff in better serving clients who have experienced trauma.
Moving from Trauma-Informed to Trauma-Responsive provides program administrators and clinical directors with key resources needed to train staff and make organizational changes to become trauma-responsive. This comprehensive training program involves all staff, ensuring clients are served with a trauma-responsive approach.

Objectives:

  1. Identify three examples of “Big T” and “little t” stressors
  2. Describe two of the major findings from the ACE study relating childhood experience to substance use and mental
    health impairment.
  3. Perform at least one technique for engaging consumers in a trauma informed approach.
  4. Describe at least one impact of trauma on cognition and physiological functioning.
  5. Identify one Domain of Trauma-Informed Care and how, organizationally, activating this domain enhances trauma care.
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