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.
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.
Asset-Based Community Development and Social Currencies: Strategies for Sustainability
Wednesday, September 03, 2025
09:00 AM - 01:30 PM
Prevention First's Chicago Office (Branch Office) - Chicago, IL
Description
Award-winning TEDx speaker De’Amon Harges is a highly sought-after speaker and trainer for the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute of DePaul University. He became nationally and internationally recognized after his ten-minute TEDx Indianapolis speech about his experience as “The Roving Listener.”
Participants will discover and explore asset-based community development, social banking, the five community currencies, and their function. Participants will learn strategies for implementing asset-based community development and social banking and practice using the five community currencies
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Sankofa as Sacred Care: Community Care as Medicine for System-Impacted Youthand Families
Wednesday, September 03, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Online
Description
In this webinar, participants will explore the topics of community building, radical listening, youth as partners, dream building, and finding joy. Each of these themes will provide caregivers, youth, and community members with specific strategies to engage each other while building a community that sustains life.
These practices are a return to the old and challenge current mindsets that can diminish and isolate system-impacted youth. Participants will learn how to dismantle obstacles to self-advocacy, self-care, and healing community.
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Our Voice, Our Future: The Importance of Youth Voices in Prevention
Thursday, September 04, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Online
Description
In this webinar, we will explore the benefits of youth and adult partnerships that enable communities to foster proactive prevention strategies led by youth. Youth and adult partnerships create a system of both mentorship and positive peer support that lead to healthy and long-lasting cycles of effective and evaluated prevention efforts at the local level. We will explore the use of SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and how it can be used to develop a strong infrastructure for school or community-based health approaches. We’ll hear success stories from prevention programs in utilizing prevention strategies that acknowledge how youth are part of the solution. This presentation is hands-on and will leave you with tangible resources for bringing these tools to your own programs and communities.
Objectives:
1. Provide an overview of SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and how it can be used to develop a strong approach.
2. How to empower youth voices through prevention education, community advocacy, and leadership development to create a positive impact.
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Power Hours for Peers: Let’s Discuss the Certified Prevention Specialist Process
Monday, September 08, 2025
03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Online
Description
Are you passionate about prevention work and wondering how to take the next step in your career? Maybe you have heard about the Prevention Specialist Certification but are unsure what it is and where to start. You are not alone. Join us during this Power Hour for Peers to network with other prevention professionals interested in the CPS process and those who recently passed the exam and can share their insights. Come with curiosity and questions.
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Strengthening and Sustaining Intentional Relationships
Tuesday, September 09, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Online
Description
By the end of this webinar, training participants will be able to define and apply principles and practices for building and sustaining strong relationships in families, schools, and communities. They will also learn strategies for effective communication and conflict reconciliation. This training will complement RPSA Providers' efforts to educate and empower youth to promote civic engagement in their respective communities.
*Attendance is required to receive a certificate of completion and CEUs.
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QPR: Question, Persuade, and Refer. An Emergency Response to Someone in Crisis
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Online
Description
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer - the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.
According to the CDC, youth suicide attempts have been on the rise. Rates of suicide among youth in Black and Brown communities have risen faster than in any other racial/ethnic group in the past two decades.
Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how in a short timeframe to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.
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Too Good for Drugs 4th and 5th Grade
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
09:30 AM - 04:30 PM
Prevention First's Chicago Office (Branch Office) - Chicago, 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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Two-Day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill Building
Wednesday, September 10 - Thursday, September 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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Establishing and Elevating Inclusive Relationships
Thursday, September 11, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Online
Description
By the end of this webinar, training participants will be able to define and apply principles and practices for establishing and elevating inclusive relationships. Participants will learn strategies for cultural humility and accountability.
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Too Good For Drugs Middle School & High School Combined
Thursday, September 11, 2025
09:30 AM - 04:30 PM
Prevention First's Chicago Office (Branch Office) - Chicago, 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 for either MS or HS grades successfully and with fidelity within a classroom setting. It is most applicable to those that facilitate TGFD in both the MS and the HS settings. However, it will meet the IDHS training requirements for those implementing TGFD in either middle school or high school.
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 http://www.mendezfoundation.org/toogood/middle. Prevention First will have training materials on hand for viewing only.
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Administrative Rule, Part 2060 Training Series Module Four: Clinical Services, Part I
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
09:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Online
Description
Subpart D: Treatment Service Requirements
SUPR will begin holding a webinar training series for licensed organizations to support
understanding and implementation of the new Administrative Rule, Part 2060. Each training
session will address specific rule sections and content areas, as outlined below. Attending
these trainings will provide valuable insights into how the changes impact administrative
functions and service delivery, helping organizations ensure compliance and enhance
operational effectiveness. Trainings will be recorded and available on-demand as well as
live.
Webinars will occur on the third Tuesday of each month from 9:00am-10:30am, unless
otherwise specified.
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Harm Reduction Approach within ASAM Criteria Framework
Friday, September 19, 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.
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Motivational Interviewing: An Introduction Training
Monday, September 22, 2025
09:00 AM - 12:15 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 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:
- Describe key aspects of the spirit of motivational interviewing as well as its relation to the transtheoretical model and the importance of effective engagement
- Describe the core skills of motivational interviewing, including open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries
- Generate effective responses consistent with motivational interviewing to draw out and highlight the individual’s own desire, ability, reasons, and need to change
- Demonstrate application of concept as well as use of core motivational interviewing skills in practice activities
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Developing Materials for Locally-Designed Campaigns
Tuesday, September 23 - Wednesday, September 24, 2025
01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Online
Description
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.
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Effective Strategies for Motivational Interviewing
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Online
Description
Motivational Interviewing has proven to be an effective evidence-based approach with adolescents as it allows the adolescent to have a voice in the direction and goals of counseling. Topics covered in this presentation include: the 8 stages of learning motivational interviewing; mastering the basics; the spirit of motivational interviewing and integrating motivational interviewing with other clinical approaches.
By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:
- Articulate the 8 stages of learning motivational interviewing.
- Identify strategies to improve motivational interviewing skills in youth development and intervention and violence prevention programs.
- Integrate motivational interviewing with other evidence-based and classic clinical models.
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Motivational Interviewing: Beyond the Basics Training
Tuesday, September 23, 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:
- Describe key aspects of the spirit of motivational interviewing as well as the four tasks and the importance of effective engagement
- Describe common traps and communication barriers (e.g. the persuasion trap, the wandering trap) which can arise and contribute to potential discord
- Generate effective responses consistent with motivational interviewing to elicit change talk and to help clients explore and resolve ambivalence
- 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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Two-Day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill Building
Thursday, September 25 - Friday, September 26, 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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Self-Care for Providers
Monday, September 29, 2025
09:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Online
Description
Self-care for Providers is a dynamic, interactive workshop that addresses the healing and self-care needs of providers, supervisors, and others who are of vital assistance to individuals, children, and families navigating substance use and mental health challenges. Topics include secondary traumatic stress, burnout, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and building resilience on the individual and organizational level.
Objectives:
- Understand and define the elements of compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, and stress
- Understand and define burnout and how it relates to organizational characteristics
- Describe and prepare strategies to build emotional resilience at an individual and organizational level
- Define the process by which individuals and organizations can move from reactivity to resilience through the use of assessment, prevention, and intervention
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Engaging Difficult to Reach Adolescents
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Online
Description
Most adolescents who receive counseling and other social services do so involuntarily which often creates automatic resistance. In addition, talk therapy or counseling can be quite uncomfortable for teens. Topics covered in this presentation include: engaging adolescents in counseling within the first 10 minutes of counseling; strength-based approaches to engaging adolescents in counseling; humor and engagement; strategies for addressing adolescent boredom in counseling: evidence-based engagement strategies.
Objectives: By the end of this presentation, you will be able:
- Engage adolescents in counseling within the first ten minutes of contact.
- Utilize seven strength-based questions to help with engagement.
- Articulate three evidence-based strategies to help with engagement.
This training might be of particular interest to RPSA High Risk Youth Intervention Services as well as Youth Development Grantees.
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Individualized Service Planning with the ASAM Criteria 4th Edition
Tuesday, September 30, 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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Seeking Safety: An Evidence-Based Model for Trauma and/or Addiction
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Online
Description
The goal of this presentation is to describe Seeking Safety, an evidence-based model for trauma and/or addiction (clients do not have to have both issues). By the end of the training, participants can implement Seeking Safety in their setting if they choose to. Seeking Safety teaches present-focused coping skills to help clients attain safety in their lives. It is highly flexible and can be conducted in any setting by a wide range of counselors and also peers. There are 25 treatment topics, each representing a safe coping skill relevant to both trauma and addiction, such as “Asking for Help,” “Creating Meaning,” “Compassion,” and “Healing from Anger.” Topics can be done in any order and the treatment can be done using as few or many of them as time allows. Seeking Safety strives to increase hope through an emphasis on ideals; it offers exercises, emotionally evocative language, and quotations to engage patients and provides concrete strategies to build recovery skills. In this training, we cover (a) background on trauma and addiction (rates, presentation, models and stages of treatment, clinical challenges); (b) an overview of Seeking Safety, including its evidence-base; and (c) clinical implementation, such as the use of the model with specific populations. Assessment and treatment resources are provided. The training is highly experiential, with role-plays and exercises to “learn by doing”; methods also include PowerPoint, video, and discussion.
Objectives:
- To describe current understanding of trauma, addiction, and their combination.
- To increase empathy and understanding of trauma and addiction.
- To describe Seeking Safety, an evidence-based model for trauma and/or addiction.
- To identify how to apply Seeking Safety for specific populations, such as homeless, adolescents, criminal justice, HIV, military/veteran, etc.
- To discuss adaptation based on setting, provider, and client factors (e.g., age, socioeconomics, culture, gender).
- To provide assessment and treatment resources.
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LGBTQ & Addiction for Providers
Thursday, October 02, 2025
09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Online
Description
The Center of Excellence on Racial and Ethnic Minority Young Men Who Have Sex with Men and Other Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Populations (YMSM+LGBT CoE) was established to help providers develop skills to deliver culturally responsive and evidence-based prevention and treatment services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations dealing with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
-An introduction to key terms
-Introduction to Cultural Humility & Implicit Bias
-Considerations for clinical work with LGBT
Individuals.
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Two-Day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill Building
Thursday, October 2 - Friday, October 3, 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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Two-Day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill Building
Monday, October 6 - Tuesday, October 7, 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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Illinois Introduction to Substance Use Prevention (IISUP) III: A Framework for Prevention
Tuesday, October 7 - Wednesday, October 8, 2025
01:00 PM - 04:00 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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