The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Statewide Conference is an opportunity to network and learn about the important issues and trends affecting SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery. Conference proposals are accepted through March 22, 2019, on the Continuum of Care; SUD Services in Diverse Settings; Emerging Epidemics; Prevention; Special Populations; and Quality Improvement.

As part of its new approach to training and technical assistance, SAMHSA has launched two new nationwide supports: the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network and the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network. The new networks are based on the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network model, which has been operating for 25 years. The PTTC, ATTC, and MHTTC Networks provide regional and population-specific TTA and resources to advance the implementation of evidence-based practices.

The Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit will be held in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference annually attracts more than 3,000 stakeholders working to address the opioid crisis. The four-day event includes a prevention track with nine sessions, as well as more than one hundred other sessions on addressing opioids across systems and sectors.

This year’s NPN Conference will be held in Chicago, IL, with the theme “Building on Evidence-Based Prevention to Connect Communities.” The call for proposals is open through 5 p.m. PT on April 12, 2019. Conference registration will open in early May.

County-level California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) reports are now available through 2017. CHKS Reports include data on school climate and student wellbeing, including youth tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use. They can be useful for local and countywide prevention planning.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released the National Drug Control Strategy, which establishes the Trump Administration’s priorities for addressing the challenge of drug trafficking and use. The overarching goal of the Strategy is a comprehensive approach that includes preventing initiates to drug use, promoting treatment services leading to long-term recovery, and aggressively reducing the availability of illicit drugs in America’s communities.

SAMHSA is accepting SPF-PFS grant applications through March 29, 2019 for Federally Recognized American Indian/Alaska Native Tribes. The purpose of SPF-PFS is to prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance abuse and its related problems while strengthening prevention capacity and infrastructure at the community level. SAMHSA plans to issue 127 grants of up to $300,000 per year for up to five years.

SAMHSA just announced the STOP ACT Grant (SP-19003) to prevent and reduce alcohol use among youth and young adults. SAMHSA will award up to 20 grants of up to $50,000 per year, for up to 4 years, to current or former Drug-Free Communities Support Program recipients. Due March 22, 2019.

Several new mental health contact lists and tools have been added to the Interagency Prevention Advisory Council (IPAC) Strategic Partnering Opportunities Resources page on the CPI website. These resources also include a mental health guide written specifically for faith leaders.

The CPI Team is pleased to announce a new publication developed in response to requests from the field: “Focus Groups – Helpful Tools for Strategic Prevention Planning.” This document includes guidance, facilitation tips, sample questions, and further resources.