Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Prevention Training Collaborative

Click here to download DHMAS 2007/2008 Prevention Training Catalog (PDF)

The past year has been an exciting one as great strides have been made in the continued implementation of Connecticut’s Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and its five step process for addressing underage drinking across the state. The 28 community based coalitions participated in Learning Communities that provided them with the guidance they need to develop their community strategic plans.
 
SPF funded coalitions will continue to use evidence-based strategies to address underage drinking and will conduct these efforts in a sustainable and culturally competent manner. Our goal is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of underage drinking and related consequences, including changing environmental policy and community norms.
 
Concurrently, while implementing the SPF initiative, the Prevention Unit was also involved in Connecticut’s Mental Health Transformation Initiative through our participation in the Stigma and Suicide Prevention, and Early Mental Health Screening, Assessment and Referral workgroups. We also continue to administer a youth suicide prevention initiative funded by the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services which includes the development and implementation of comprehensive, evidence-based youth suicide prevention and early intervention strategies in several high schools and the Connecticut State University System.
 
In preparation for assessing the 2007/2008 Prevention Workforce Development Training needs, a web based Training Needs Assessment Survey was developed using Survey Monkey. The on-line survey was published through the Connecticut Clearinghouses’ Prevention list-serve and participants were able to access the survey through June 20. Over 100 responses were collected. These responses provided the DMHAS Prevention Unit with some basic demographic information on the prevention workforce, their interest in Prevention Certification and whether or not they have previously taken any Prevention courses. Additionally, participants responded to 38 questions rating their interest in a variety of training top-
ics including an overview of the abuse of over the counter (OTC) and prescription drugs, issues affecting adolescents and young adults, underage drinking, cultural and gender specific issues and violence/bullying, to name a few. The results have been used to develop the courses listed in the 2007/2008 Prevention Training Catalog. Additionally, the catalog lists
courses made available through our other partnering organizations and represents a true collaborative effort to enhance the workforce development skills of Connecticut’s Prevention partners.
 
On behalf of the DMHAS Prevention Unit, I hope these courses will help assist you in your efforts to keep youth and families in your communities safe, healthy and substance free. 

Dianne E. Harnad, MSW
Director of Prevention Services, DMHAS

The DHMAS 2007/2008 Prevention Training Catalog includes course offerings in the following focus areas:

  • Alcohol, Tobacco, Other Drug Specific
  • Culturally appropriate services for special populations
  • Developmentally-appropriate prevention programming: across the life span
  • Developmentally-appropriate prevention programming: childhood through adolescence
  • Developmentally-appropriate prevention programming: college students
  • Developmentally-appropriate prevention programming: early childhood
  • Developmentally-appropriate prevention programming: older adults
  • Early childhood
  • Ethics
  • Evaluation
  • Mental Health
  • Prevention basics: community
  • Prevention basics: general
  • Prevention basics: school
  • Prevention basics: workplace
  • Violence prevention

Continuing Education Credits

The Connecticut Certification Board, Inc. (CCB) has approved all classes for Prevention Professional Certification Credits.
 
The Consultation Center and Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut have requested Continuing Education Credits (CEC) hours from the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW/CT).