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Letter From the New Executive Director

Dear Prevention Providers,

As we embark on the start of a new fiscal year, I am hopeful and energized that we can continue to engage with you on celebrating wins in our prevention efforts and setting our sights on promising times moving forward. In this quarter’s newsletter, we have highlighted a range of work and events in recognition of Suicide Awareness Month. Some are resources from the field that provide valuable insights for prevention, while others reflect collaborations with partners whose efforts we deeply appreciate. Together, these contributions move the work forward to support individuals and families facing challenges related to suicide and mental health.

While we have encountered some staffing changes within our own organization over the past month, we stand ready to assist you through our technical assistance work and strategic plan that guides our work. We will continue to keep a vigilant eye on the federal budget as there are many unknowns yet to be discovered. Through it all, we appreciate the partnerships, collaborative efforts, and constructive feedback you have provided. Moving prevention work forward is truly an effort that works successfully when only all of the pieces and moving parts work in harmony to collectively share resources, best practices, and innovative ideas that drive change. We are grateful to be working in this space together with you and hope that we can continue to uplift the success of our work and each other as we overcome challenges.

To your continued well-being and health,

Rashmi Travis, MPH, CHES, CPS
Executive Director,
Prevention Network

We’re excited to share that Prevention Network is officially registered with the U.S. government and now listed in the United States Federal Contractor Registration (USFCR) Case Department. Our SAM registration is active and we’ve received a Verified Vendor Seal—an important step in making our services accessible to federal agencies and partners.

This recognition reinforces our commitment to prevention services across Michigan and positions us to pursue expanded opportunities in the federal space.

Stay tuned as we explore what this new chapter brings!

September is Suicide Prevention Month

September isn’t just another month on the calendar—it’s Suicide Prevention Month, dedicated to turning down stigma, turning up the hope, and equipping us all with actionable ways to help ourselves and others. This year, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s Ideas for Action guide lays it out simply and powerfully: center voices of lived experience, craft messages of hope, engage your community, and amplify resources everyone can use. sprc.org+1.

Find resources and get the toolkit

 

National Recovery Month is September

With the right treatment, support, and resources, recovery is REAL (Restoring Every Aspect of Life) for everyone. Use this toolkit to learn more about what SAMHSA is doing to support people in recovery and how to share this information with your audiences. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of people in or seeking recovery from mental and substance use disorders.

2025 Recovery Month Toolkit

 

This section highlights upcoming events such as webinars, conferences, and workshops, providing you with valuable opportunities to engage with experts, learn new strategies, and network with peers, ultimately fostering collaboration and advancing knowledge in the prevention field. Check out events coming up in the below:

See the full calendar of events here.

There’s a lot happening across our statewide programs – get involved today!

Visit our website to stay connected and learn more about all the ways you can get involved with Prevention Network.

The Prevention Network newsletter delivers timely and comprehensive state and national updates, covering the latest news, research findings, and best practices in the prevention field, ensuring you stay well-informed and equipped to address emerging challenges and opportunities in your prevention efforts. Check out some national and state updates below:

 

STATE:

Press Release: Michigan Employers invited to join Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI) have launched a statewide initiative to create healthier, more efficient workplaces through the Michigan Recovery Friendly Workplace (MI RFW) program. Through MI RFW, employers are encouraged to create supportive environments for employees in recovery from substance use disorder while enhancing overall workplace wellness. The MI RFW initiative is a statewide program funded by MDHHS through a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration State Opioid Response grant.

Organizations of all sizes and sectors are encouraged to take part. Visit RecoveryFriendlyMI.org to learn more or contact program staff at recoveryfriendlymi@mphi.org.

 

NATIONAL:

Senate Protects Key Prevention Funding – But the Fight Isn’t Over According to CADCA

The Senate has released its FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) appropriations bill, rejecting major cuts proposed in the President’s Budget Request—including elimination of SPF/PFS, STOP Act, and the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health.

For now, prevention funding is largely protected or even slightly increased, but these numbers are not final. The House will release its version later in September, and agencies and staff across the country are waiting to see just how much this process will affect state-level funding and programming.

📄 Read the full CADCA Breaking News update (PDF)

Thank you for reviewing Prevention Network’s newsletter! If you have any feedback regarding this newsletter or ideas for our next newsletter, please email us at info@preventionnetwork.org. Lastly, a special thanks to Prevention Network’s Board of Trustees for supporting our mission, vision, and goals.