Events

Dates and times:

• April 23
• June 25
• August 27

12 p.m. - 1 p.m. (Hawaii), 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. (Alaska), 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Pacific, including Arizona), 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Mountain)
Note: Dates for Guam grantees are April 24, June 26, and August 28, 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center (SPTAC) Team (HHS Regions IX and X) cordially invites Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Navigator Grant Directors to join your fellow grantees in a series of peer-sharing calls.

SPTAC is organizing Prevention Navigator Grant Directors from Regions IX and X, interested in learning from one another on effective grant implementation. This peer-sharing opportunity will facilitate dialogue, covering topics such as data-informed approaches to implementation using the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), enhancing competencies to improve effectiveness, expanding access to services, and more.

Audience: Prevention Navigator Grant Recipients in HHS Regions IX & X (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Nevada, California, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington).

Presenter: Alicia Hughes, M.A., CPP | Region 9 & 10 SPTAC Senior Training/Technical Assistance Specialist

Registration: If interested in participating, please email Alicia Hughes (ahughes@casat.org) to request the calendar invite and Zoom link. Please also share any additional grant-related topics you would like to discuss during this or forthcoming calls.

Questions? Email Alicia Hughes.

Dates and times:

• April 24
• June 26
• August 28

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. (Hawaii), 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. (Alaska), 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. (Pacific including Arizona), 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Mountain

Join SAMHSA’s HHS Regions IX and X SPTAC team for a series of peer sharing calls for Community-Level Partnerships for Success (PFS) Grant Directors.

SPTAC invites Community-Level PFS Grant Directors from Regions IX and X who are in years 1 and 2 of implementation and who are interested in learning about other states' methods of PFS grant implementation. This peer-sharing opportunity will provide the opportunity to discuss topics such as data-informed approaches to meet grant requirements, strengthening prevention systems, enhancing competencies in the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), and connect with other PFS grantees.

Audience: Community-Level Partnerships for Success (PFS) Grant Recipients from HHS Regions IX & X (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Nevada, California, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington).

Presenter: Alicia Hughes, M.A., CPP | Region 9 & 10 SPTAC Senior T/TA Specialist

Registration: If interested in joining these peer-sharing calls, please email Alicia Hughes (ahughes@casat.org) to request the calendar invite and Zoom link. Please also share any additional grant-related topics you would like to discuss during this or forthcoming calls.

Questions? Email Alicia Hughes.

Dates and times:

• April 24
• June 26
• August 28

12 p.m. - 1 p.m. (Hawaii), 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. (Alaska), 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Pacific, including Arizona), 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Mountain)
Note: Dates for Guam grantees are April 25, June 27, and August 29, 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Audience: Community-Level Partnerships for Success (PFS) grant recipients from HHS Regions IX & X (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Nevada, California, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington).

Presenter: Alicia Hughes, M.A., CPP | Region 9 & 10 SPTAC Senior T/TA Specialist

Registration: If interested in joining these peer-sharing calls, please email Alicia Hughes (ahughes@casat.org) to request the calendar invite and Zoom link. Please also share any additional grant-related topics you would like to discuss during this or forthcoming calls.

Questions? Email Alicia Hughes.

Dates and Times: 

States and American Samoa:

• May 22
• July 24
• September 25

4 – 5 p.m. (Arizona and Mountain), 3 – 4 p.m. (Pacific), 1 – 2 p.m. (Hawaii), 12 – 1 p.m. (American Samoa)

Pacific Jurisdictions:

• May 23
• July 25
• September 26

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Republic of the Marshall Islands), 10 – 11 a.m. (Pohnpei and Kosrae), 9 – 10 a.m. (Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, and Yap), 8 – 9 a.m. (Republic of Palau)

REGISTER TODAY! If interested in joining these peer-sharing calls, please register and we will send a zoom invitation. 

Join SAMHSA’s HHS Regions IX and X SPTAC team for a series of peer sharing calls for State/Jurisdiction-level National Prevention Network (NPN), SUPTRS Prevention Block Grant Leads, and Partnerships for Success (PFS) Grant Directors! 

Join SPTAC and other grantees for a peer-sharing opportunity on state training and technical assistance (TA) systems. Together, we will discuss topics such as state systems for planning, designing, and implementing T/TA best practices and frameworks, and share experiences with peers to improve services and outcomes for grant implementation and efficacy.

Audience: State/Jurisdiction-level National Prevention Network (NPN), SUPTRS Prevention Block Grant Leads, and Partnerships for Success (PFS) Grant Directors from HHS Regions IX & X (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Nevada, California, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington).

Presenter: Alicia Hughes, MA, CPP | Region 9 & 10 SPTAC Senior T/TA Specialist

Questions? Email Alicia Hughes.

Live Sessions: Beginning on May 21, sessions take place every Wednesday, 12:30 – 2 p.m. ET

Join our unique Community of Practice: Deepening Connections for Effective Community Engagement. This virtual Community of Practice (CoP) is limited to 25 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are a Partnership for Success (SPF-PFS) or Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act (STOP Act) grantee from HHS Regions III and IV, then this interactive COP is designed specifically for you! Over the course of two months, you’ll learn about practical tools, receive peer support, and access hands-on learning opportunities to enhance your ability to engage rural communities and varied demographics effectively. 

Commitment Required: These sessions will run for 7 weeks, and participants must attend all sessions to foster peer connections and maximize learning. 

What to Expect:

• Learning Sessions: Gain foundational knowledge
• Lab Sessions: Hands-on practice & case studies
• Enrichment Activities: Deepen understanding with specially designed exercises
• Office Hours: Engage in Q&A and peer discussions

Session Schedule

Orientation Session

• May 21: Introduction, expectations, and participant goals

Topic 1: Bridging the Gap - Engaging Rural Communities

• May 28: Learning Session – Introduction to Rural Communities in Prevention Work
• June 4: Lab Session – Case Studies in Rural Engagement
• June 11: Office Hours – Addressing Challenges in Rural Prevention Work

Topic 2: Beyond Boundaries: Intercultural Competence

• June 18: Learning Session – Strategies for Engaging with Varied Demographics
• June 25: Lab Session – Applying Cultural Humility to Community Engagement
• July 2: Office Hours – Problem-Solving and TA for Cross-Cultural Engagement 

Facilitator: Dr. Ty C. McNamee, Assistant Professor of Higher Education, Department of Higher Education, University of Mississippi 

Why Join?

• Strengthen your ability to engage meaningfully with varied demographics
• Apply practical strategies tailored to real-world prevention work
• Build lasting relationships with peers in a supportive learning space

Questions? Space is limited: Please contact Elizabeth Rodriguez Diaz and/or Priscila Giamassi.

Time: Each session will be from 1 - 2 p.m. ET

Dates:

Session 1
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 – Prevention Collaboration in Action: “Levels of Collaboration”
Facilitator: Sandra Del Sesto

Session 2
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 – Risk and Protective Factors for Excessive Drinking in Adulthood
Register for Session 2
Facilitators: Emily J. Patton and Olivia Stuart

Session 3
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 – Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Role of Substance Misuse
Register for Session 3
Facilitator: Nicole M. Augustine

Session 4
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 – Data Dashboards: Making Data Interactive
Register for Session 4
Facilitator: Sarah Ivan

Are you making the most of the prevention tools available to you? Join the HHS Regions III and IV SPTAC team for office hours sessions, tools, and Strategies for Prevention Professionals, to learn about available tools and receive expert guidance, have interactive discussions, and learn about real-world applications to enhance your prevention efforts.

Your voice matters! These interactive sessions invite your questions and insights. Please review the resources beforehand and join us for engaging discussions to strengthen your prevention strategies.

Audience: All grantee types in Regions III & IV

Questions?
Please contact Elizabeth Rodriguez Diaz at erodriguezdiaz@edc.org and/or Priscila Giamassi at pgiamassi@edc.org.

Dates and Times: 

States and Territories:

• June 26

4 - 5 p.m. (Atlantic), 3 - 4 p.m. (Eastern), 2 - 3 p.m. (Central), 1 - 2 p.m. (Mountain) 12 - 1 p.m. (Pacific) 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Alaska), 9 - 10 a.m. (Hawaii), 8 - 9 a.m. (American Samoa)

Pacific Jurisdictions:

• June 27

7 - 8 a.m. (Republic of the Marshall Islands), 6 - 7 a.m. (Pohnpei and Kosrae), 5 - 6 a.m. (Chuuk, Yap, and Guam), 4 - 5 a.m. (Republic of Palau)

REGISTER TODAY!

Prevention leaders rely on strong data to drive smart, effective strategies. But in recent years, many have faced growing "data deserts" that make it harder to pinpoint community needs and guide action. If you're navigating these challenges, you're not alone.

During this one hour epidemiology roundtable, join prevention professionals from across the country to explore data gaps, share real-world experiences, and collaborate on creative ways to find and use the data needed to inform prevention programming.

Audience: State and Tribal epidemiological outcomes workgroup (SEOW/TEOW) members and their data partners.

Facilitators: 

• Maria Valenti, Director of Epidemiology, SPTAC
• Sarah Ivan, Epidemiologist, HHS Regions I-V & VIII
• Kaitie Chakoian, Epidemiologist, HHS Regions VI & VII
• Lauren Williams, Epidemiologist, HHS Regions IX & X

Questions? Contact the SPTAC Epidemiology Team.

Date and Time: July 8, 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET

REGISTER TODAY!

Thinking about sustainability at the start of a new grant may seem counterintuitive. But building lasting change begins with early intention. It involves establishing the practices, partnerships, and processes that will carry your efforts forward beyond the funding period. By weaving sustainability into your work from the start, you not only set your initiative up for success, but also help to ensure that it will produce and maintain important prevention outcomes over time.

This call offers SAMHSA community-level prevention grantees a chance to connect with one another around effective sustainability strategies. It is exclusively for Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success Community grantees funded between 2023-2024. Participating grantees will have the opportunity to share successes, challenges, and lessons learned related to sustaining their effective processes, strategies, and outcomes.

Audience: SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success grantees funded between 2023-2024.

Facilitators: 

• Erin Ficker, Regional Director, SPTAC, HHS Regions V & VIII
• Michelle Majeres, Training and Technical Assistance Specialist, SPTAC, HHS Regions V & VIII

Questions? Please contact Jessica Goldberg.

Date and Time: July 10, 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET

REGISTER TODAY!

Your grant work is well underway. You have solid processes in place and are producing strong outcomes. Don’t let them disappear.

The relationships you’ve built, the strategies you’ve implemented, and the progress you’ve made are powerful assets. But without a plan for how you will sustain them, their impact may fade over time. As you move toward the next phase of your work, embedding sustainability into your systems and structures is essential—for maintaining positive outcomes and ensuring long-term community benefit.

This peer sharing call offers SAMHSA community-level grantees a unique opportunity to connect with one another to discuss common challenges, potential solutions, and lessons learned related to sustainability. It is exclusively for Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success grantees funded between 2020-2022.

Audience: SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success grantees funded between 2020-2022.

Facilitators:

• Erin Ficker, Regional Director, SPTAC, HHS Regions V & VIII
• Michelle Majeres, Training and Technical Assistance Specialist, SPTAC, HHS Regions V & VIII

Questions? Please contact Jessica Goldberg.

Date and Time: July 15, 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET

REGISTER TODAY!

Thinking about sustainability at the start of a new grant may seem counterintuitive. But building lasting change begins with early intention. It involves establishing the practices, partnerships, and processes that will carry your efforts forward beyond the funding period. By weaving sustainability into your work from the start, you not only set your initiative up for success, but also help to ensure that it will produce and maintain important prevention outcomes over time.

This call offers SAMHSA community-level prevention grantees a chance to connect with one another around effective sustainability strategies. It is exclusively for First Responders – Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (FR-CARA) community-level grantees funded between 2023-2024. Participating grantees will have the opportunity to share successes, challenges, and lessons learned related to sustaining their effective processes, strategies, and outcomes.

Audience: SAMHSA FR-CARA grantees funded between 2023-2024.

Facilitators:

• Jessica Goldberg, Deputy Training and Technical Director, SPTAC
• Michelle Majeres, Training and Technical Assistance Specialist, SPTAC, HHS Regions V & VIII

Questions? Please contact Jessica Goldberg.

Date and time: July 16, 1:30–3 p.m. ET (12:30–2 p.m. CT, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. MT)

REGISTER NOW!

Join SPTAC’s Region V & VIII team and other state prevention leaders as we collectively discuss how to use current research to communicate the value of prevention. This peer sharing opportunity will provide an opportunity to examine how to use data to illustrate the economic, health, and societal benefits of prevention efforts.

We will explore approaches to communicating the value of prevention to decision makers and partners at all levels. Participants will be invited to share their challenges, exchange best practices, and discuss innovative ways to refine and strengthen their communication efforts.

Audience: HHS Regions V & VIII NPNs and state prevention staff

Presenters:

• Erin Ficker, MPP, SPTAC HHS Regions V & VIII Director
• Sarah Ivan, MPP, SPTAC Epidemiologist HHS Region I – V & VIII

Registration: Please register by July 15. A Zoom calendar invite will be sent within 48 business hours of completing the registration form.

Questions? Email Rachael Kenter with any questions.

Date and Time: July 17, 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET

REGISTER TODAY!

Your grant work is well underway. You have solid processes in place and are producing strong outcomes. Don’t let them disappear.

The relationships you’ve built, the strategies you’ve implemented, and the progress you’ve made are powerful assets. But without a plan for how you will sustain them, their impact may fade over time. As you move toward the next phase of your work, embedding sustainability into your systems and structures is essential—for maintaining positive outcomes and ensuring long-term community benefit.

This peer sharing call offers SAMHSA community-level grantees a unique opportunity to connect with one another to discuss common challenges, potential solutions, and lessons learned related to sustainability. It is exclusively for First Responders – Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery (FR-CARA) grantees funded between 2020-2022.

Audience: SAMHSA FR-CARA grantees funded between 2020-2022.

Facilitators:

• Erin Ficker, Regional Director, SPTAC, HHS Regions V & VIII
• Clara McCurdy-Kirlis, Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator, SPTAC

Questions? Please contact Jessica Goldberg.

Dates, Time, and Location: July 28 - 29, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. PT in Glendale, AZ

REGISTER TODAY by July 1, 2025.

SPTAC Regions IX and X Team invites Arizona’s Prevention Block Grant subgrantees to join our in-person, two-day training, Measuring Success: Evaluation Fundamentals. This training will provide participants with foundational knowledge in evaluation basics, focusing on defining, measuring, and reporting short- and long-term changes. Participants will learn different approaches to measuring behavior change, social norms, and community-level change.

After the training, participants will be able to:

• Build excitement about the role of evaluation in an effective prevention system.
• Describe the basics of evaluation and its importance.
• Learn how to define and measure short- vs. long-term changes.
• Differentiate between measuring individual and community-level change.
• Develop skills to create and use logic models for program evaluation.

Audience: Arizona Substance Prevention Block Grant funded programs and coalitions.

Presenter: Rodney Wambeam, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center, University of Wyoming

Questions? Please contact Alicia Hughes.