Training at Prevention First

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.

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.

During this interactive virtual classroom course participants will learn about the steps and best practices involved in planning and implementing a locally designed communication campaign. Participants will become familiar with print ad principles and obtain tips, tools, and resources for designing and pilot testing materials.

All SUPS and CSUPS staff implementing locally-designed communication campaigns who have not previously completed Planning and Implementing Communication Campaigns are required to complete this course.

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.

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.

Join us for a conversation for those interested in networking with other prevention professionals about the Certified Prevention Specialist Certification process. We will share resources, and help prepare for the certification test.

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.

Veterans have their own culture and rich life experiences that can present unique challenges and opportunities to civilian community mental health care providers. It is crucial to be informed on culturally humble practices and have a basic understanding of co-occurring disorders that are seen when working with this population, as well as resources available to mental health clinicians. This interactive training will provide an overview of what makes the Veteran population truly unique including the impact of rank, enlistment, branch of service and potential deployments. Special populations will be discussed along with the impact of Military Sexual Trauma, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. This training will assist community providers in making an effort to understand key aspects of the Veteran experience which may help to establish a connection, build trust and inform treatment planning.

Objectives:

1. Identify the factors that contribute to military culture and that lead to the development of Veteran identity and the camaraderie among this population.
2. Acquire knowledge regarding the potential higher risk of suicide among Veterans.
3. Increase understanding of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders that are commonly treated among Veterans.
4. Gain awareness of resources available to civilian mental health clinicians.
5. Increase knowledge of frequently used interventions, including CBT, MI, and safety planning

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.

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.

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.

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.

Participants must complete 3 hours of individual work to receive course credit. Prework will be assigned for each session.

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.

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

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.

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 is designed to help draw out the individual’s own strengths and resources to help them make the behavioral changes needed to reach their goals. In this introductory training, participants will learn about spirit of MI and its basic skills and strategies, and will have the opportunity to apply and practice those core skills in an experiential skill-development training.

Objectives:

1. Describe key aspects of the spirit of motivational interviewing as well as its relation to the transtheoretical model and the importance of effective engagement
2. Describe the core skills of motivational interviewing, including open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries
3. Generate effective responses consistent with motivational interviewing to draw out and highlight the individual’s own desire, ability, reasons, and need to change
4. Demonstrate application of concept as well as use of core motivational interviewing skills in practice activities

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