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Check out our recent newsletters and view our upcoming events.

Newsletters

March 2024

 PW!VT Updates including Vermont’s 1st Statewide Substance Misuse Prevention Conference for Prevention Works: Connections and Community, Stepping Up for Prevention Workforce Development , Prevention Works’ Spring Intern, PW!VT 2024 Prevention Day, Certified Prevention Specialist Update, Updates from Traci Sawyers of Vermont Department of Health, Prevention Spotlight – Lauren Ingersoll, BRACC, PW’s Calendar of Events, Workgroup Updates, Coalition News From Across The State
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June 2024

Legislative Survey, PW!VT Vaping Clearinghouse, Conference Wrap-Up, Certified Prevention Specialist Update, Updates from Traci Sawyers of the Vermont Department of Health, Prevention Spotlight -Rolf Parker, Building A Positive Community, Additions to the Steering Committee Members, Self Care Summer, PW’s Calendar of Events, Workgroup Updates, Coalition News From Across The State

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September 2024

Request for your wishlist of Professional Development topics, PW!VT’s Prevention Hub is LIVE, Policy Education and Advocacy: What’s new at PW!VT, PW!VT attends the National Prevention Network Conference, Certified Prevention Specialist Update, Updates from Traci Sawyers of the Vermont Department of Health, Prevention Spotlight -Desiree Kepper, PW’s Calendar of Events, Workgroup Updates, Coalition News From Across The State, Appreciation of Steering Committee Member, Will Eberle
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Prevention Works! VT Adopts Substance Misuse Prevention Definition

 

The PW!VT’s Steering Committee has developed a “standardized” definition of substance misuse prevention to use when communicating with stakeholders who may be unfamiliar with how prevention integrates throughout systems and communities. This definition is one of many adopted by organizations throughout Vermont and nationally. Prevention organizations are welcome to use and share PW!VT’s definition in whole or in part at their discretion.

 

“Substance Misuse Prevention is an arm of public health that works to delay the onset of substance use, and prevent substance misuse by reducing harms across the lifespan through

  • partnerships
  • education
  • community engagement
  • public policy and proven best practices.
 

Substance Misuse Prevention is based on strategies that increase individual, community, and cultural well-being and resilience.

2024 Events

Stepping Up for Prevention Workforce Development
Prevention Works! VT (PW) has been engaged in new workforce development (WFD) strategies since March 2023.  The goal of the PW’s WFD strategies, “to increase the capacity of qualified prevention professionals (community based, school based, college level etc.) to address prevention needs in their communities”.
There are several strategies PW staff is employing to achieve this goal as we continue to meet our mission. These strategies include
  • Coordinating workforce development advisory workgroup (WFD AG) whose role will be to look at the current state of prevention workforce through needs assessments and other data, identify the strengths, challenges and gaps and eventually develop a strategic plan. 
  • Collect information and develop and promote a specialized hub for Vermont’s prevention workforce
  • Develop of prevention workforce materials, infographic and other educational and promotional materials   
  • Create/ support multi-facetted prevention career tracks (public health) with colleges, universities and other educational institutions
  • Embed prevention workforce development into aligned professions such as school-based prevention staff and college prevention staff  
  • Raise the profile of prevention profession within the state among stakeholder groups, state level decision makers, state government departments and others
  • Continue to provide administrative support and promotion of the Certified Prevention Specialist credentialling and the Vermont CPS Board.
  • Coordinate quarterly professional development workshops/training
  • Organize a statewide substance misuse Prevention Conference in 2024
In order to implement these workforce development strategies, PW! VT hopes to engage each member of the prevention workforce. If you would like to assist with any of the strategies, please contact Beth or Kimberley. 
  • Workshops
  • Networking opportunities
  • Multiple tracks including youth engagement, vaping, cannabis, marketing and communications, policy and others

Prevention Works!VT hosts statewide Substance Misuse Prevention Conference: Prevention Works: Connections and Community

 
Conference goal: To increase the capacity of qualified prevention professionals (community based, school based, college level etc.) to address prevention needs in their communities through professional development opportunities.
 
  • Workshops
  • Networking opportunities
  • Multiple tracks including youth engagement, vaping, cannabis, marketing and communications, policy and others
 

Support for the conference is provided through Vermont Department of Health, Division of Substance Use Programs and a Congressional Direct Spending Program Grant supported by Senator Bernie Sanders.