SMVF TA Center Upcoming Events
SAMHSA’s SMVF TA Center would like to welcome you to attend any of our upcoming events.
Through a variety of events each month, the SMVF TA Center promotes increased awareness of resources and promising, best, and evidence-based practices to strengthen SMVF behavioral health care systems. Some events are geared towards the general public, while others are closed events for specific initiatives and audiences. Session information can be found below.
For questions related to upcoming TA events, please email smvftacenter@prainc.com.
April
Time: 2–3 p.m. ET
*Registration is limited* This event is limited to current Governor’s Challenge and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders. To request to be added to the distribution list for this event, please email smvftacenter@prainc.com.
Team leader calls are designed to provide technical assistance support specifically for team leaders of the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges through a monthly 1-hour virtual meeting.
Topic: Ask Me NC (North Carolina) Campaign
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders
Time: 2–3:30 p.m. ET
*Registration is closed.*
Substance use among Veterans and Service Members is a significant behavioral health concern that affects individuals, families, and communities. Building on the March 3, 2026 webinar Addressing Veteran Substance Use: Promoting Recovery Through Collaboration and Compassion, this three-part learning community series will offer participants a deeper exploration of strategies to address substance use, strengthen coordinated systems of care, and improve access to recovery supports for Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF). Through expert presentations from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), SAFE Project, and the Oregon Health Authority, participants will learn practical approaches for promoting wellness, supporting recovery, and enhancing cross-system collaboration.
This learning community will provide participants with an opportunity to learn in a small group and interactive setting. The objectives of this learning community are to (1) understand current trends and contributing factors related to substance use among veterans and military populations, (2) explore collaborative and peer-supported approaches that strengthen recovery and improve access to care for SMVF, and (3) identify federal, state, and community strategies that enhance coordination and long-term wellness for SMVF.
The Learning Community will meet monthly for three sessions beginning in April 2026 via Zoom. Each session will feature an expert presentation along with opportunities for group participation and discussion.
Topic: Supporting Healing After Suicide for Service Members, Veterans, and their Families
Session 2 of 3: Empowering Veteran & Military Recovery Through SAFE Project’s Peer and Community Programs
Intended Audience: Open to the public: Anyone interested in Substance Use Recovery related to Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF)
May
Time: 2:30–3:30 p.m. ET
Community of Practice (CoP) meetings are designed to strengthen technical assistance support for Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge workgroup leaders and members. CoPs meet monthly to (1) Increase knowledge about suicide prevention best practices related to each specific priority area, (2) Facilitate team-to-team sharing of insights and suicide prevention strategies, and (3) Inspire practice improvement ideas and innovations across teams.
Topic: COMPACT ACT
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team members
Time: 2–3:30 p.m. ET
This six-part webinar series brings together RAND researchers to examine critical issues affecting service members, Veterans, and their families across the military-to-civilian transition. The series explores how data, research, and policy insights can inform more effective programs, services, and prevention strategies at national, state, and community levels.
Across the series, individual webinars will focus on topics related to transitioning service members, suicide prevention, or both, depending on the research focus of each session. Sessions will highlight variations in veteran needs across populations and geographies, examine how data are collected and used to inform policy, and translate research findings into practical insights for policymakers, practitioners, and community partners.
Topic: Advancing Data, Policy, and Prevention for Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families
Webinar 3 of 6: Veteran Social Connections and Improving Transition Support
Intended Audience: Open to the public. This webinar is intended for anyone interested in supporting SMVF during the transition to civilian life and strengthening suicide prevention efforts.
Time: 2–3 p.m. ET
American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people have a proud and exemplary tradition of military service, consistently serving at one of the highest per-capita rates of any ethnic group in the United States. This dedication and sacrifice, however, have come at a significant cost. According to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) data, AIAN Veterans are among the groups most heavily impacted by suicide.
To address this urgent issue, the VA has partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to host a webinar learning series, bringing together champions for the health and well-being of AIAN Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) for a dedicated time of learning, sharing, and collaboration.
Topic: Preventing Suicide Among American Indian and Alaska Native Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Webinar Learning Series
Webinar 3 of 4: Someone to Call – A Lifeline for Indigenous People
Intended Audience: Open to Native and Tribal community leaders, advocates, and service providers committed to supporting the health and well-being of AIAN SMVF
Time: 2–3 p.m. ET
*Registration is limited* This event is limited to current Governor’s Challenge and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders. To request to be added to the distribution list for this event, please email smvftacenter@prainc.com.
Team leader calls are designed to provide technical assistance support specifically for team leaders of the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges through a monthly 1-hour virtual meeting.
Topic: Breakout Discussions
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders
Time: 2–3 p.m. ET
*Registration is closed.*
Substance use among Veterans and Service Members is a significant behavioral health concern that affects individuals, families, and communities. Building on the March 3, 2026 webinar Addressing Veteran Substance Use: Promoting Recovery Through Collaboration and Compassion, this three-part learning community series will offer participants a deeper exploration of strategies to address substance use, strengthen coordinated systems of care, and improve access to recovery supports for Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF). Through expert presentations from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), SAFE Project, and the Oregon Health Authority, participants will learn practical approaches for promoting wellness, supporting recovery, and enhancing cross-system collaboration.
This learning community will provide participants with an opportunity to learn in a small group and interactive setting. The objectives of this learning community are to (1) understand current trends and contributing factors related to substance use among veterans and military populations, (2) explore collaborative and peer-supported approaches that strengthen recovery and improve access to care for SMVF, and (3) identify federal, state, and community strategies that enhance coordination and long-term wellness for SMVF.
The Learning Community will meet monthly for three sessions beginning in April 2026 via Zoom. Each session will feature an expert presentation along with opportunities for group participation and discussion.
Topic: Supporting Healing After Suicide for Service Members, Veterans, and their Families
Session 3 of 3: State & Community Approaches to Supporting Veteran and Military Recovery
Intended Audience: Open to the public: Anyone interested in Substance Use Recovery related to Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF)
June
Time: 2–3:30 p.m. ET
This six-part webinar series brings together RAND researchers to examine critical issues affecting service members, Veterans, and their families across the military-to-civilian transition. The series explores how data, research, and policy insights can inform more effective programs, services, and prevention strategies at national, state, and community levels.
Across the series, individual webinars will focus on topics related to transitioning service members, suicide prevention, or both, depending on the research focus of each session. Sessions will highlight variations in veteran needs across populations and geographies, examine how data are collected and used to inform policy, and translate research findings into practical insights for policymakers, practitioners, and community partners.
Topic: Advancing Data, Policy, and Prevention for Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families
Webinar 4 of 6: Improving Accountability and Employment Outcomes in Military-to-Civilian Transition Programs
Intended Audience: Open to the public. This webinar is intended for anyone interested in supporting SMVF during the transition to civilian life and strengthening suicide prevention efforts.
Time: 2–3:30 p.m. ET
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) play an important role in ensuring that Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) have access to coordinated, community-based behavioral health services. To support this work, SAMHSA released a new toolkit, Engaging Service Members, Veterans, and Families: A Toolkit for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which provides guidance, strategies, and practical resources to help organizations strengthen engagement with military-connected populations.
Join us for this webinar as leaders from SAMHSA, state government, and a CCBHC implementation partner introduce the toolkit and highlight its key components. Presenters will provide an overview of the toolkit’s major topic areas, including identifying SMVF within service populations, increasing awareness of military and Veteran experiences, forming partnerships with Veteran-serving organizations, and addressing factors that may influence engagement and service coordination.
This webinar will be followed by a learning community series exploring each of these topics in greater detail.
Topic: Introducing SAMHSA’s CCBHC Toolkit for Engaging Service Members, Veterans, and Families
Intended Audience: Open to the public. This webinar is intended for anyone interested in supporting SMVF in relation to CCBHCs.
Time: 2:30–3:30 p.m. ET
Community of Practice (CoP) meetings are designed to strengthen technical assistance support for Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge workgroup leaders and members. CoPs meet monthly to (1) Increase knowledge about suicide prevention best practices related to each specific priority area, (2) Facilitate team-to-team sharing of insights and suicide prevention strategies, and (3) Inspire practice improvement ideas and innovations across teams.
Topic: Breakout Discussions
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team members
Time: 2–3 p.m. ET
American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people have a proud and exemplary tradition of military service, consistently serving at one of the highest per-capita rates of any ethnic group in the United States. This dedication and sacrifice, however, have come at a significant cost. According to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) data, AIAN Veterans are among the groups most heavily impacted by suicide.
To address this urgent issue, the VA has partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to host a webinar learning series, bringing together champions for the health and well-being of AIAN Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) for a dedicated time of learning, sharing, and collaboration.
Topic: Preventing Suicide Among American Indian and Alaska Native Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Webinar Learning Series
Webinar 4 of 4: From the Field – Approaches to Preventing Veteran Suicide in Tribal Communities
Intended Audience: Open to Native and Tribal community leaders, advocates, and service providers committed to supporting the health and well-being of AIAN SMVF
Time: 2–3 p.m. ET
*Registration is limited.* This event is limited to current Governor’s Challenge and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders. To request to be added to the distribution list for this event, please email smvftacenter@prainc.com.
Team leader calls are designed to provide technical assistance support specifically for team leaders of the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges through a monthly 1-hour virtual meeting.
Topic: Program Evaluation
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders
July
Time: 2:30–3:30 p.m. ET
Registration information coming soon.
Community of Practice (CoP) meetings are designed to strengthen technical assistance support for Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge workgroup leaders and members. CoPs meet monthly to (1) Increase knowledge about suicide prevention best practices related to each specific priority area, (2) Facilitate team-to-team sharing of insights and suicide prevention strategies, and (3) Inspire practice improvement ideas and innovations across teams.
Topic: LMS - Virginia (Lock & Talk) and Puerto Rico (Safe Storage / Training law enforcement)
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team members
Time: 2–3 p.m. ET
This six-part webinar series brings together RAND researchers to examine critical issues affecting service members, Veterans, and their families across the military-to-civilian transition. The series explores how data, research, and policy insights can inform more effective programs, services, and prevention strategies at national, state, and community levels.
Across the series, individual webinars will focus on topics related to transitioning service members, suicide prevention, or both, depending on the research focus of each session. Sessions will highlight variations in veteran needs across populations and geographies, examine how data are collected and used to inform policy, and translate research findings into practical insights for policymakers, practitioners, and community partners.
Topic: Advancing Data, Policy, and Prevention for Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families
Webinar 5 of 6: Suicide Risk, Prevention, and the Veteran Suicide Prevention Landscape
Intended Audience: Open to the public. This webinar is intended for anyone interested in supporting SMVF during the transition to civilian life and strengthening suicide prevention efforts.
Time: 2–3 p.m. ET
*Registration is limited.* This event is limited to current Governor’s Challenge and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders. To request to be added to the distribution list for this event, please email smvftacenter@prainc.com.
Team leader calls are designed to provide technical assistance support specifically for team leaders of the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges through a monthly 1-hour virtual meeting.
Topic: Building State-Level Infrastructure for Military Data Integration
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders
August
Time: 2:30–3:30 p.m. ET
Registration information coming soon.
Community of Practice (CoP) meetings are designed to strengthen technical assistance support for Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge workgroup leaders and members. CoPs meet monthly to (1) Increase knowledge about suicide prevention best practices related to each specific priority area, (2) Facilitate team-to-team sharing of insights and suicide prevention strategies, and (3) Inspire practice improvement ideas and innovations across teams.
Topic: SPRC’s State Infrastructure Success Stories: Minnesota, New Hampshire, Tennessee are example states
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team members
Time: 2–3:30 p.m. ET
This six-part webinar series brings together RAND researchers to examine critical issues affecting service members, Veterans, and their families across the military-to-civilian transition. The series explores how data, research, and policy insights can inform more effective programs, services, and prevention strategies at national, state, and community levels.
Across the series, individual webinars will focus on topics related to transitioning service members, suicide prevention, or both, depending on the research focus of each session. Sessions will highlight variations in veteran needs across populations and geographies, examine how data are collected and used to inform policy, and translate research findings into practical insights for policymakers, practitioners, and community partners.
Topic: Advancing Data, Policy, and Prevention for Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families
Webinar 6 of 6: Veteran Families and Caregivers: Understanding Needs, Roles, and Economic Impact
Intended Audience: Open to the public. This webinar is intended for anyone interested in supporting SMVF during the transition to civilian life and strengthening suicide prevention efforts.
Time: 2–3 p.m. ET
*Registration is limited.* This event is limited to current Governor’s Challenge and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders. To request to be added to the distribution list for this event, please email smvftacenter@prainc.com.
Team leader calls are designed to provide technical assistance support specifically for team leaders of the Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenges through a monthly 1-hour virtual meeting.
Topic: Breakout Discussions
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team leaders
September
Time: 2:30–3:30 p.m. ET
Registration information coming soon.
Community of Practice (CoP) meetings are designed to strengthen technical assistance support for Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge workgroup leaders and members. CoPs meet monthly to (1) Increase knowledge about suicide prevention best practices related to each specific priority area, (2) Facilitate team-to-team sharing of insights and suicide prevention strategies, and (3) Inspire practice improvement ideas and innovations across teams.
Topic: Breakout Discussions
Intended Audience: Governor’s and Mayor’s Challenge team members