Prevention Network staff at the National Prevention Network Conference in Arizona.

Letter From the Director

Dear Prevention Professionals,

As we enter September, we celebrate National Recovery Month and National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month, recognizing the vital work you do in our communities. These observances remind us of the importance of our collective efforts in promoting health, wellness, and resilience across Michigan. We were thrilled to connect with a few of you at the NPN conference last month and look forward to further engagement at the upcoming SUD/CO Conference. Please join us at the Prevention Meet and Greet on Monday after sessions, or visit our booth in the exhibitor hall to share your insights and learn about our latest activities.

With the fiscal year drawing to a close, we’re busy wrapping up current projects and preparing for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. We’re pleased to announce the addition of a technical assistance request form on our website, making it easier for you to access one-on-one support. Additionally, we have several training sessions on the horizon to further enhance your skills and knowledge in the prevention field. Your professional development remains a top priority for us as we strive to strengthen our prevention workforce.

As we look to the future, your feedback is invaluable in shaping our direction. We’re currently reviewing the insights you’ve shared, which will inform our planning for the coming years. Check out some of the notes we heard in our summary below. 

In lieu of our next newsletter, we’ll be sharing our annual report, highlighting our collective achievements and the impact of our work across Michigan. Thank you for your dedication to prevention and for partnering with us in this crucial mission. Together, we continue to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities throughout our state.

With you in prevention,

Louise Montag, Executive Director

News from Parenting Awareness Michigan (PAM)

 

Exciting news—registration is now open for the 32nd Annual PAM Conference! This event brings together a diverse group of professionals, thought leaders, and innovators, all dedicated to advancing the field of parenting education and support.

We are confident that the engaging discussions, insightful presentations, and valuable networking opportunities will provide both inspiration and practical knowledge for all attendees.

Join us for a day of learning and collaboration at the Henry Center on MSU’s campus—featuring an incredible lineup of speakers!

 

For all conference-related details and information and to register, visit the PAM Conference webpage.

Thank You For Your Feedback!

Prevention Network recently conducted a feedback survey to assess how well we are meeting the needs of prevention professionals across Michigan. Overall, the feedback was very positive – 96% of respondents said Prevention Network had met their needs either “fairly well,” “very well,” or “extremely well.” When asked to rate the support received from staff, 88% said it was “very good” or “exceptional”. 

 

Respondents highlighted several areas where Prevention Network excels, including providing professional development opportunities, sharing resources and information, facilitating networking, and offering funding support to coalitions. The most requested additional activities were webinars, workshops, and funding opportunities. To improve our services, suggestions included offering more in-person events, increasing funding opportunities, expanding advocacy efforts, and providing more MCBAP-approved training. Many respondents also expressed interest in hearing more stories and best practices from other communities.

 

We greatly appreciate all the thoughtful feedback provided. This input will be invaluable as we further analyze your responses and plan for the future. We are committed to continuously improving our services to support the critical work of prevention professionals across the state. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their perspectives with us.

 

 We look forward to implementing enhancements based on your suggestions in the coming months.

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 next 3 months below:

See the full calendar of events here.

  • Addressing Challenges In Collection and Using Data – September 24th, 2024 – An intermediary-level course for SUD Prevention Professionals, this one-time webinar features Olivia Stuart, a research assistant with Carnevale Associates. Olivia serves as a subject matter expert with SAMHSA’s Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) and Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center (SPTAC) and has presented at CADCA, NPN, and other national conferences. Click here to register for this event!
  • F.F.U.N. (Fourth Friday Unwind & Network) Coalition Support Group – September 27th, 2024 – Open to anyone who is part of or interested in becoming part of a community-based coalition addressing substance misuse prevention. Special invitation to current coalition coordinators. We will use this time to address common challenges and share tools both old and new. Feel free to enjoy your own lunch during this relaxed group. Join us here!
  • Michigan Youth Prevention Day – September 30th, 2024 – Join us for the first Michigan Youth Prevention Day at Michigan League, Ann Arbor, MI. Join us for a day full of youth speakers, team building activities, and a prevention career and coalition exploration fair! Register here and view the flyer for more information here!
  • Strengthening Youth Mental Health by Targeting Wellness in Parenting Programs and Training – October 10th, 2024 – This free webinar hosted by Parenting Awareness Michigan will provide information about the common models of wellness and how it relates to substance misuse, prevention, and mental health. Also, examine mental health effects of the Big 3 wellness, and learn about a 4-step evidence-based parenting model that enhances mental health of the youth. Click here to register now!
  • Alcohol Policy Issues Meeting – October 14th, 2024 – Every month on the Second Monday at 10 a.m. People across Michigan meet to discuss alcohol policy and local changes that impact the access and availability with the goal of preventing misuse and reducing the negative impacts on public health. Click here to join!
  • 32nd Annual Parenting Awareness Michigan Conference – November 8th, 2024 – This event is for individuals that work with parents and families, educators, service providers, school personnel, parent networks, coalition members, parent leaders, volunteers and anyone interested in parenting. Attendees can expect a learning opportunity about relevant issues, programs, and resources related to parents and families. Click here to register!
  • Alcohol Policy Issues Meeting – November 11th, 2024 – Every month on the Second Monday at 10 a.m. People across Michigan meet to discuss alcohol policy and local changes that impact the access and availability with the goal of preventing misuse and reducing the negative impacts on public health. Click here to join!
  • Coalition Support and Networking – November 26 & 27th, 2024 – Quarterly opportunity for anyone working with coalitions on substance misuse prevention in Michigan to gather and share. Click here to join!

If you haven’t already check out the following featured resources! To see a list of all new resources added to the resource library, see this link.

recovery month banner 2024

SAMHSA Releases  2024 National Recovery Toolkit

 

SAMHSA’s National Recovery Month Toolkit offers valuable resources to help celebrate and support individuals in recovery. This toolkit provides information on SAMHSA’s initiatives and highlights ways to spread awareness about recovery from mental and substance use disorders. By using these tools, we can collectively empower individuals in recovery and promote a healthier, more supportive community.

 

Click here to to access the toolkit.

The Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth for National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month

 

The Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) is a key resource for National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month. CAMY provides fact sheets, brochures, publications, reports, and a marketing gallery to help prevent and reduce alcohol-related problems among young people. Their public health approach examines how marketing factors—product, place, promotion, and price—impact youth drinking and related issues. CAMY’s resources are valuable tools for raising awareness and supporting prevention efforts in communities.

 

Click here to view this resource.

 

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:

Michigan Monthly Overdose Update July 2024

 

The Michigan Monthly Overdose Update, managed by the Michigan Overdose Data to Action (MODA) program, has been updated with the latest data for July. This update provides crucial insights into overdose trends and prevention efforts across the state. Stay informed on the current statistics and learn more about how Michigan is addressing the overdose crisis by reviewing the updated report.

 

Click here to review the report.

SAMHSA’s Language Access Plan (LAP)

SAMHSA has issued our updated Language Access Plan (LAP), a roadmap designed to provide meaningful access to our programs, services, and information to everyone, including individuals with non-English language preference (NELP) while promoting equity in behavioral health care for all.

 

Click here to review the plan.

We’ve received a brief legislative update compiled by Gabrielle Loew with the Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force. Please forward all questions to galoew@bccmha.org.

 

The update can be reviewed here.

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.