Training at Prevention First

This interactive training introduces participants to the foundational principles, goals, and structure of The ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition, Volume 2: Adolescents and Transition-Aged Youth. It provides a comprehensive overview of the continuum of care for adolescent substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, emphasizing developmental considerations, family engagement, and integrated care for co-occurring conditions. Participants will examine the guiding principles that shape admission, continued service, and transition decisions, as well as the updated dimensional framework and standards for individualized, family-driven, and youth-guided treatment planning.

The session also explores normal adolescent development, risk and protective factors, and the neuroscience of addiction to contextualize clinical decision-making. The training highlights the importance of secondary and tertiary prevention as essential components of adolescent treatment, recognizing that early identification, timely intervention, and sustained recovery and family support are critical to interrupting progression, reducing harm, and promoting healthy development. Designed to be highly interactive and case-based, the training engages participants in real-world scenarios and collaborative discussions that apply the updated ASAM Criteria concepts in practice. These case-based exercises support clinicians in translating theory into actionable skills, strengthening their confidence in making level-of-care recommendations and developing individualized, developmentally attuned treatment and prevention plans.

Objectives:

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

1. Review the foundational principles of the ASAM Criteria and the major updates to The ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition
2. Identify the content, functionality, and capabilities of the redesigned digital and print tools of The ASAM Criteria
3. Recognize potential inquiries from the provider community and how to access resources related to standards and practices consistent with the implementation of The ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition
4. Discuss and share ideas and feedback for training needs across the State.

This interactive training introduces participants to the foundational principles, goals, and structure of The ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition, Volume 2: Adolescents and Transition-Aged Youth. It provides a comprehensive overview of the continuum of care for adolescent substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, emphasizing developmental considerations, family engagement, and integrated care for co-occurring conditions. Participants will examine the guiding principles that shape admission, continued service, and transition decisions, as well as the updated dimensional framework and standards for individualized, family-driven, and youth-guided treatment planning.

The session also explores normal adolescent development, risk and protective factors, and the neuroscience of addiction to contextualize clinical decision-making. The training highlights the importance of secondary and tertiary prevention as essential components of adolescent treatment, recognizing that early identification, timely intervention, and sustained recovery and family support are critical to interrupting progression, reducing harm, and promoting healthy development. Designed to be highly interactive and case-based, the training engages participants in real-world scenarios and collaborative discussions that apply the updated ASAM Criteria concepts in practice. These case-based exercises support clinicians in translating theory into actionable skills, strengthening their confidence in making level-of-care recommendations and developing individualized, developmentally attuned treatment and prevention plans.

Objectives:

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

1. Review the foundational principles of the ASAM Criteria and the major updates to The ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition
2. Identify the content, functionality, and capabilities of the redesigned digital and print tools of The ASAM Criteria
3. Recognize potential inquiries from the provider community and how to access resources related to standards and practices consistent with the implementation of The ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition
4. Discuss and share ideas and feedback for training needs across the State.

This one-hour training will introduce foundational LGBTQ+ terminology and concepts, including the meanings of common LGBTQ+ acronyms. Participants will explore the distinctions among sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, learn to use inclusive language and pronouns respectfully, and develop strategies to recognize and avoid microaggressions.

By the end of the session, participants will have the knowledge and tools needed to help create more welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environments for everyone. To receive a certificate of completion and CEUs, training participants must attend and adhere to the attendance policy.

In a healthcare system where outcomes are often determined by zip code, race, or economic status, "business as usual" is no longer enough. Her Health, Her Voice is an interactive workshop designed to equip advocates, providers, and community members with the tools to dismantle systemic barriers.
We will navigate the critical intersections of gender and equity, moving from the systemic roots of maternal mortality to the overlooked complexities of hormonal health and mental wellness.

Learning Objectives:

• The Crisis of Care: Examining why maternal death rates remain a national emergency and how to advocate for safer births.
• The Invisible Struggle: Discussing equity gaps in mental health and substance use recovery for women.
• Hormonal Justice: Addressing the medical gaslighting and diagnostic delays surrounding PCOS and Menopause.
• The Roadmap to Change: Developing actionable strategies to ensure every woman's voice is heard in the exam room and beyond.

This training is recommended to have a copy of the ASAM 4th Edition Criteria textbook available. If one is not available, an excerpt link will be provided for use in the training. The excerpt cannot be printed or saved. 

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.

Phase 1: One-Day ASAM Adolescent Core Concepts Training

This interactive training introduces participants to the foundational principles, goals, and
structure of The ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition, Volume 2: Adolescents and Transition-Aged
Youth. It provides a comprehensive overview of the continuum of care for adolescent
substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, emphasizing developmental considerations, family
engagement, and integrated care for co-occurring conditions. Participants will examine the
guiding principles that shape admission, continued service, and transition decisions, as well
as the updated dimensional framework and standards for individualized, family-driven, and
youth-guided treatment planning.
The session also explores normal adolescent development, risk and protective factors, and
the neuroscience of addiction to contextualize clinical decision-making. The training
highlights the importance of secondary and tertiary prevention as essential components of
adolescent treatment, recognizing that early identification, timely intervention, and sustained
recovery and family support are critical to interrupting progression, reducing harm, and
promoting healthy development. Designed to be highly interactive and case-based, the
training engages participants in real-world scenarios and collaborative discussions that
apply the updated ASAM Criteria concepts in practice. These case-based exercises support
clinicians in translating theory into actionable skills, strengthening their confidence in making
level-of-care recommendations and developing individualized, developmentally attuned
treatment and prevention plans.

Objectives of the Training

1. Review the foundational principles of the ASAM Criteria and the major updates to The
   ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition
2. Identify the content, functionality, and capabilities of the redesigned digital and print
   Tools of The ASAM Criteria
3. Recognize potential inquiries from the provider community and how to access
   resources related to standards and practices consistent with the implementation of The
   ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition
4. Discuss and share ideas and feedback for training needs across the State.

Nonprofit organizations are being asked to do more than ever while navigating limited resources, constant change, and increasing pressure to demonstrate impact. In the midst of managing budgets, staffing challenges, reporting requirements, and day-to-day operations, it can become difficult to maintain the kind of healthy workplace culture that allows people to stay connected, engaged, and well.

This interactive 90-minute session explores the balance between the administrative realities of running an organization and the human needs of the people doing the work. Together, we will reflect on how leadership, communication, workflows, and organizational habits can either support or undermine team wellbeing and mission effectiveness.

Participants will leave with practical tools and strategies to strengthen internal operations while also fostering a culture rooted in clarity, sustainability, accountability, and care. The goal is not perfection, but creating organizations where both the mission and the people carrying it forward can thrive.

Learning Objectives

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

1. Identify areas where operational stressors and organizational culture intersect and impact team functioning.
2. Explore practical approaches for improving communication, workflows, and administrative processes without losing sight of people and relationships.
3. Recognize common contributors to burnout, disconnection, and workplace tension within nonprofit settings and identify strategies that support staff wellbeing and retention.
4. Develop actionable next steps to strengthen both organizational effectiveness and a healthier, more sustainable workplace culture.

Clinical supervision is the foundation of ethical care, counselor development, and program quality in behavioral health. This interactive training reframes supervision as a structured, intentional, and data-informed practice rather than a compliance task. Participants will explore the evolution and core purpose of supervision and apply a practical framework that integrates documentation review, meaningful feedback, measurable goal-setting, and structured follow-up. The session also examines how supervision functions as a continuous quality improvement (CQI) process, using data to identify development needs and track growth over time. Supervisors will leave with clear strategies to operationalize supervision as a consistent, accountable system that strengthens individual competency and supports sustained clinical excellence. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Participants will be able describe the foundational purpose of clinical supervision and how its role has evolved within behavioral health treatment. 
2. Participants will be able to apply a structured, intentional approach to supervision that incorporates documentation, feedback, and follow-up. 
3. Participants will be able to use data-informed strategies to identify counselor development needs and track growth over time. 
4. Participants will be able to implement documentation improvement methods using principles of continual quality improvement. 

Phase 2: One-Day Advanced Clinical Case Application

This immersive, one-day advanced training is designed specifically for clinicians, supervisors, and interdisciplinary professionals who provide substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring mental health services to adolescents and transition-aged youth.

Facilitated by subject matter experts, the session focuses on the practical application of The ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition, Volume 2: Adolescents and Transition-Aged Youth through interactive, case-based learning.
Participants will explore how to integrate the updated adolescent-specific criteria into real-world clinical scenarios to develop holistic, integrated, trauma sensitive and family centered service plans. The training emphasizes family-driven and youth-guided treatment planning, recognizing the critical role of family engagement and developmental considerations in adolescent care. Through guided practice, participants will refine their ability to make objective, criteria-driven decisions that align with evolving standards of care for adolescents and transition-aged youth. This highly experiential training strengthens clinical judgment, enhances consistency in level-of-care determinations, and improves treatment planning outcomes. Foundational knowledge of The ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition, Volume 2: Adolescents and Transition-Aged Youth is strongly recommended prior to enrollment.

Objectives of the Training

1. Briefly review and reinforce key concepts from The ASAM Criteria, Fourth Edition, Volume 2: Adolescents and Transition-Aged Youth
2. Demonstrate application of the ASAM Criteria Volume 2 through structured case study exercises
3. Apply the ASAM Volume 2 Dimensional Admission Criteria for Prevention and Substance Use Disorders to diverse, complex adolescent case scenarios.
4. Conduct level-of-care assessments and formulate evidence-based recommendations that reflect the adolescent’s developmental stage, family context, strengths, and recovery goals.
5. Discuss how the Level of Care recommendation translates to individualized treatment plans that actively involve families and support systems while respecting adolescent autonomy and developmental needs

Guided by her research with youth workers across the United States, Dr. Bianca J. Baldridge will demonstrate how youth workers teach to transgress—pushing beyond the challenges within the youth development field to co-envision possibilities in their work alongside youth. Drawing connections among the past, the present, and the future, Dr. Baldridge will show how historical efforts in communal care and education for social change are present today and serve as a powerful blueprint for youth workers.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

• Identify the connections between contemporary youth work and historical efforts of community care in marginalized communities
• Encourage participants to recall and reassemble what they’ve learned from their past to support their futures as youth work professionals.
• Envision community-based education and youth work as a process of futuring and world-building toward educational and social justice for young people.