Early Career Resources
Resources for those with 0-3 years of experience in the prevention field
Congratulations on your new position in substance misuse prevention in Vermont. With so much to learn about prevention and the role of prevention professionals , it is important to take advantage of opportunities available through many resources. Knowing what course to take and when to take them may seem confusing or overwhelming. Fortunately, a helpful guide has been developed for early career professionals entitled “My First Year in Prevention: A Guide to Learning the Field” . The guide provides a checklist to track your progress and to share with your supervisor. It also provides valuable links to suggested fundamental trainings. The guide also provides a list of prevention acronyms, resource lists and tools for new prevention staff.
Based on the My First Year in Prevention: A Guide to Learning the Field and suggestions from prevention professionals, please consider the following prevention resources.
Introductory Prevention Learning Opportunities
Introduction to Substance Abuse Prevention: Understanding the Basics*
Participants will learn about: Basic terminology and facts; History of substance use and prevention in the United States; Addiction and the brain; and, Effects and health risks of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
Core Competencies for Prevention Professionals*
The course covers a wide variety of topics including prevention science, community organization, need & resource assessment, evidence-based interventions, and more. The Prevention Core Competencies and accompanying knowledge, skills, and abilities offer professional direction to the prevention field, affecting staff development and career ladders and pipelines, and providing guidance for training programs and service delivery qualification.
* These online training is available on the learning management system HealthEKnowledge. If you do not have one already, you will need to create a free account to access the training.
Coordinating Your Professional Development Planning
As your prevention knowledge increases, it is helpful to plan for your continued professional development. And everyone needs help creating a plan or framework. The New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center has created sessions to help guide your planning process.
Planning Your Professional Development Journey
Creating a personal professional development plan can seem challenging, whether it’s finding time within our schedules or balancing family obligations, deciding which trainings to select, or overcoming difficulties and finding the motivation to continue. This webinar looks at the benefits of creating and regularly reviewing a professional development plan and examines the key components to include in creating professional development plans.
Professional Development Personal Action Plan
Professional Development Personal Action Plan is a useful planning tool regardless of where you are in your professional journey.
Onboarding Resources
There are two comprehensive toolkits available from the Prevention Technology Transfer Centers which can be referred to during the onboarding process for prevention professionals. They are similar in scope and content. My First Year in Prevention: A Guide to Learning the Field walks you through suggested first-year resources, the SWPTTC Onboarding Roadmap and the NEPTTC Prevention Specialist Onboarding and Orientation Roadmap.
Both contain core concepts and foundational research & approaches of modern prevention that are fundamental for early career professionals to understand. Whether through a webinar, workshop, or document, consider the following concepts as integral:
- Risk and Protective Factor Theory
- Socio-ecological Model
- Continuum of Care
- Evidence-Based Practices
- Community Readiness Model
- The Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF)
- Health Equity
Foundational Learning Opportunities
SPF Application for Prevention Success Training (SAPST)
The goal of the SPF Application for Prevention Success (SAPST) is to develop the basic knowledge and skills needed by substance misuse prevention practitioners to plan, implement, and evaluate effective, data-driven programs and practices that reduce behavioral health disparities and improve wellness. The SAPST is intended as an introductory level course; throughout the course of their careers, prevention practitioners will need additional and more advanced workforce development opportunities beyond the SAPST.
Prevention Ethics
The course explores the six principles of the Prevention Code of Ethics, brought to life with realistic examples designed to enhance participant understanding. The course also introduces a decision-making process to help practitioners apply this code to avariety of ethical dilemmas.
SAPST and Prevention Ethics are offered in-person in Vermont several times a year. Virtual opportunities are also available through the NEPTTC and PTTC Network.
Certified Prevention Specialist
Most fields have standards of operation and credentialing which ensure the workforce has a basic and comprehensive understanding of the work. These standards of credentialing allow all members of the field to share a baseline knowledge, and speak the same language, so time can be spent moving forward rather than always redefining what it means to be a professional in the field. It is also important for a prevention specialist to become certified to demonstrate a versatile and robust knowledge of prevention science. The substance use prevention field is no different. In Vermont, Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) credentials are available that recognizes and ensures that substance abuse prevention practitioners meet the competency standards established by the IC&RC.
Obtaining your CPS takes time and is something to aspire to as you move forward with your career in prevention. You can begin your journey to CPS by learning more at the link below.
Communication Strategies
There are many ways to connect with the prevention community in Vermont, regional and nationally. There are listservs, newsletters, social media platforms and websites for many organizations.
Begin connecting and using these communications channels to learn about upcoming professional development opportunities.
Vermont Prevention Listserv
Listserv for prevention professionals in VT. You can post questions on a topic or project you need help with or share resources with others. Vermont Dept. of Health will post updates here. To join email [email protected] and write “SUBSCRIBE” in the subject heading.
Prevention Works VT: Network for VT prevention professionals.
Common Good Vermont: Non-profit training and TA
Center for Health and Learning: Training center
NEPTTC: Newsletter, e-mail list