Statewide Events and News
Check out our upcoming events and view our recent newsletters.
Vermont’s Substance Misuse Prevention Conference: Bridging the Gaps: Prevention Through Connection
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Location: Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, VT
Please join us for our second biannual statewide conference dedicated to supporting and strengthening substance misuse prevention efforts across Vermont. This gathering will bring together prevention professionals, community partners, and advocates for a full day of workshops, discussion, networking, and shared learning. The charming and unique setting of Lake Morey Resort, situated right on the water, offers a memorable backdrop for the day. Its historic character may even remind some of The Shining, adding a touch of fun and familiarity while still providing a warm, welcoming, and comfortable atmosphere for meaningful connection and the exchange of ideas that contribute to a healthier Vermont. Considering arriving the night before the conference? Here is some helpful information
For individual room reservations, you can book online using the provided group code PREVENTW or call Lake Morey Resort directly at (800) 423-1211.
Guest Room Rates: (Per Room, Per Night), Classic: Single or Double: $224.00, Deluxe: Single or Double: $232.00
All individual reservations should be made no later than April 5, 2026. Reservations received after that date will be accepted on a space-available basis. A credit card deposit of $100.00 per room is required to confirm all room reservations. Check-In/Check-Out: Please note that check-in is at 3:00 p.m. and check-out is at 11:00 a.m. Early arrivals and late departure requests will be at the agreed-upon rate, based on availability. Rooms not vacated by 11:00 a.m. are subject to an additional charge.
Payment of Individual Accounts: A credit card is required upon check-in that guarantees payment of pending charges. All individual accounts must be paid upon checkout.
Guest Room Cancellation Policy: Reservations canceled at least seven (7) days before the arrival date will have the deposit refunded. If not canceled within seven (7) days of the arrival date, the deposit will be forfeited.
If you would like to have dinner at Lake Morey the night before, please make their individual dinner reservations. If smaller groups intend to form, please make one reservation for their small group count, rather than several individual reservations. Dinner reservations begin at 5 pm and go until 8 pm
For updated information, please visit our conference website!
Vermont Prevention Day 2026
Prevention Day had a long history in Montpelier, bringing together prevention staff, youth, and community partners to advocate and raise awareness about the impact of substance misuse prevention on the health and well-being of Vermont youth and communities.
As the second year of the biennium, with more than 1,000 pieces of legislation introduced, April was an especially busy time at the Statehouse. Participants were encouraged to communicate with legislators in advance of April 9 to arrange meetings, schedule lunch conversations, or plan to attend committee hearings.
The day began with breakfast from 8:30 to 9:30 am in the Montpelier Room at the Capitol Plaza, followed by a Youth Prevention Showcase at 9:30 am. This celebration highlighted youth-led prevention efforts from across the state, with schools and community organizations sharing their work through creative formats such as slideshows, skits, songs, and short presentations, focusing on student leadership and local successes.
Leading up to the event, students were invited to participate in a one-hour virtual training to build skills and confidence for engaging with legislators. Students took on leadership roles by preparing presentations, creating and sharing letters, and reaching out in advance to schedule meetings or attend committee sessions.
The remainder of the day allowed for flexible advocacy, including attending committee meetings, touring the Statehouse, meeting with legislators, and connecting informally over lunch. At 1:00 pm, participants observed the House and Senate in full session from the balcony, with a welcome and resolution anticipated from the House.
In the afternoon, “Get the Scoop on Prevention” took place from 3:00 to 6:00 pm in the Statehouse Cafeteria. The event included a briefing and elevator speech workshop, followed by a networking session with lawmakers, offering an opportunity to showcase community impact and advocate for current prevention efforts.
Helpful documents:
“A Lifespan Approach to Prevention”
OK Boomer! Risk and Protective Factors for Older Adults: The first wave of Baby Boomers is now entering retirement age, and for the next twenty years, the United States will have a major shift in population demographics. This webinar defines ageism and discusses the stereotyping and history of the treatment of older adults and related risk and protective factors. It also discusses the growing demographic of older adults in America, elder abuse issues, protective legislation, and the future financial situation of retirees. Webinar Recap: Thank you to everyone who joined Prevention Works!VT for last week’s webinar. We appreciate your engagement and thoughtful participation throughout the session. Below you’ll find the supporting documents that were shared during the webinar, along with a recording of the session and a copy of Julie’s presentation slides. We’re also excited to share that an Older Adult Resource Page is currently in development on the Prevention Works!VT website. Once live, this page will house the resources shared during the webinar, along with additional tools and information to support work with older adults. Stay tuned for updates.
Webinar recording
Julie’s presentation slides
Age-friendly care for older adults with substance use disorder
OK Baby Boomer!Risk and Protective Factors for Older Adults
Resources for Substance Misuse Trends and Prevention Strategies for Older Adults
Prevention Across the Lifespan: Unlike many public health issues, the prevention of substance use and misuse has been done in silos. This webinar examines the issues related to altering the “silo” approach so that “conception-to-grave” substance misuse prevention can be implemented. This webinar offers information that is foundational to a proper understanding of lifespan issues, including such important topics as human growth and development, brain development, the impact of substances on the brain at various stages of development, and strategies to address service provision issues. There is a discussion of the rise of baby boomers in our population, the effect of drugs on the aging body, and risk and protective factors for older adults.
Webinar recording
About the facilitator: Julie Stevens is an Advanced Certified Prevention Specialist and was a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor for 20 years. She has served as Director of Prevention for the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and Training Specialist for the University of Oklahoma’s Southwest Prevention Center, and most recently as Executive Director of LifeSteps Council on Alcohol and Drugs. Ms. Stevens serves on the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals and is chair of the Prevention Subcommittee. She has served as “Member At Large” of the Board of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium and Advisor to the Prevention Committee. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Baylor University and a Master’s of Prevention Science from the University of Oklahoma.
If you haven’t already done so, we invite you to complete the webinar evaluation. Your feedback helps guide future trainings and resources. Webinar Evaluation.Thank you again for your continued commitment to prevention and community well-being.
Cutting Through the Noise: Connecting Prevention to VT Policy in 2025
Are you concerned that your “voice” has been lost in the current “noise”? Vermont is facing numerous crises, distractions, and competing priorities right now; it can be difficult to get policymakers and the public to focus on effective solutions. Clear, pragmatic approaches are needed to communicate the value of preventive measures to local communities and all Vermonters.
Learn simple strategies you can use to successfully advocate for policy-based approaches to long-lasting systemic barriers to public health. This workshop will help you:
- Make the case for prevention: Use relevant data and storytelling to highlight the value prevention plays in keeping our communities healthy:
- Engage with the supportive policymakers: Identify and meet policy leaders who are willing to develop and champion prevention policy initiatives;
- Frame a call-to-action that resonates: Create compelling content that is both educational and emotionally resonant to grab attention and drive action;
- Build coalitions: Collaborate and build coalitions with allies and unusual suspects to build prevention campaigns that will have an impact.
About the Facilitator:
Jill Sudhoff-Guerin has 14 years of experience working in the Vermont Statehouse, focused on advocating for public health and mission-driven campaigns. She has previously served as the Vermont Medical Society Policy and Communications manager, policy lead for the Vermont chapter of the American Cancer Society, and legislative and regulatory analyst at Leonine Public Affairs (previously KSE Partners). Jill currently provides communications and policy support through her independent firm, Maidstone Public Relations.
Prevention Works!VT PL4 Workshop: “The Intersection Between Substance Misuse Prevention, Harm Reduction And Recovery” facilitated by Will Roberts, Director of Training, VAMHAR
Session One: Core Principles:
Through lecture, discussion, and activities, learners will:
- Review the definitions of:
- Prevention
- Harm Reduction
- Recovery
- Define and analyze how the three philosophies overlap
- Define the similarities and differences.
- Create a list of overlaps.
Session Two: Opportunities for Collaboration: Through lecture, discussion, and activities, learners will:
- Review techniques for creating shared goals and objectives
- Review effective communication skills
- Define clear roles and responsibilities
- Analyze problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
- Review the components of creating a memorandum of understanding (MOU)
Prevention Works!VT WFD Professional Development Opportunity: Essentials of Evidence-Based Programs
The process of selecting prevention strategies that best fit the needs and assets, readiness, and capacity of a community begins with identifying evidence-based interventions. These are catalogued in registries or databases of evidence-based programs (EBP), policies, and interventions.
This 2 part series, with an optional in-person component, will provide the essential information and tools for prevention organizations and staff to choose evidence-based programs that fit their community needs.
Prevention Works!VT PL4 Workshop: The Intersect Between Substance Misuse Prevention and Suicide Prevention In Youth with Debby Haskins – February 13, 2025
The goal of the workshop was to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between substance misuse and youth suicide and to support them in their work with youth.
NEW ASSOCIATE PREVENTION SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL!
If the thought of applying for the Certified Prevention Specialist credential has felt too overwhelming or you need more time to prepare, we have great news for you. The Vermont Prevention Certification Board is launching the Associate Prevention Specialist (APS) Credential starting January 10th, 2025.
This new credential provides a manageable entry point for those working in the substance use prevention field who want to begin the certification process. The APS credential allows you to gain valuable hands-on experience in prevention, building both your confidence and competence. This prepares you for more complex responsibilities as you progress toward the full CPS certification.
Take the next step in your professional development—apply for the APS or CPS credential today!
Prevention Works!VT PL4 Workshop: Integrating AI into Youth Substance Use Prevention – Leveraging AI in Youth Substance Use Prevention: Tools, Strategies, and Best Practices facilitated by Tony Moulton
The goal of the workshop is to equip professionals in youth substance misuse and use prevention with practical knowledge and hands-on experience in using AI, specifically ChatGPT, to enhance their work in prevention.
Prevention Works!VT WFD Professional Development Opportunity: Internship Panel Winter 2025 –Effectively Utilizing Internships in Your Prevention Organization
Prevention Works!VT Quarterly Newsletters
This quarterly newsletter highlights updates from across Vermont’s prevention community for this period, including Prevention Day 2026, planning for the Vermont Substance Misuse Prevention Conference, certification program updates, advocacy and Vermont Department of Health insights, a coalition spotlight, upcoming events, and news from workgroups and partners statewide.
This quarterly newsletter highlights updates from across Vermont’s prevention community for December, including a save the date for Prevention Day 2026 and the Vermont Substance Misuse Prevention Conference, certification program updates, new staff and partner insights, training and technical assistance opportunities, Vermont Department of Health updates, a coalition spotlight, upcoming events, and news from workgroups and partners statewide.
This quarterly newsletter highlights updates from across Vermont’s prevention community for September, including workforce development efforts such as trainings, focus groups, and resources, updates on Vermont Recovery Coach Certification and the Certified Prevention Specialist program, insights from the Vermont Department of Health, a coalition spotlight, partner perspectives, upcoming events, and news from workgroups and partners statewide.