News & Events

Check out our recent newsletters and view our upcoming events.

Newsletters

September 2023

PW!VT Updates including Stepping Up for Prevention Workforce Development, May 7, 2024 Statewide Substance Misuse Prevention Conference, Vermont Certified Prevention Specialist, “From The Directors Desk” with Traci Sawyer, Introduction of Neil Allen, Director of Greater Falls Connections, and updates from local coalitions

June 2023

PW!VT Updates including announcement of the awarding of a Congressional Direct Spending Grant through the office of Senator Bernie Sanders, Vermont Certified Prevention Specialist, “From The Directors Desk” with Traci Sawyer, Introduction of Sultana Khan, Direct of Mosaic Vermont and updates from local coalitions

Exciting News at PW!VT

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

Planning for the conference has jus begun. If you are interested in being on the planning team, please let Beth know.

If you are interested in presenting a workshop, a call for presenters will be released soon. One hour or 90 minutes workshops will be considered for diverse audiences with a continuum of prevention experience. To receive the call for presenters directly, contact Beth Shrader.

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.

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.

2023 Events

A Glimpse into the World of School Based Prevention Staff

A Presentation on the Fall 2023 School Based Prevention Staff Survey Results

Please join Prevention Works! VT and consultant Debby Haskins for a presentation and discussion on the results of the Fall 2023 school based prevention staff survey. Debby will share a summary of the survey results from the 63 respondents, discuss how the information is being utilized in the prevention workforce development strategic planning process and share post-survey activities. There will be time for Q&A and the full report will be made available following the presentation.

Why might you attend?

School based prevention staff: to learn what their colleagues are saying
Community based prevention staff: to learn what roles school staff currently are taking on, what supports school staff indicate they need from their community partners, and potential communication gaps with school staff.

About the presenter:

Debby Haskins, MS, LADC (Masters of Science-UVM), Licensed Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor is a former Student Assistance Counselor who previously worked in two Central VT High Schools for ten years, then was the Executive Director of the Association of Student Assistance Professionals of Vermont (ASAP of VT) for 15 years overseeing 92 programs throughout Vermont. She was a U Matter Suicide Prevention Specialist/trainer/consultant for Center for Health and Learning in Suicide Prevention; taught three courses online at Union Institute on Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug courses, Injury, Violence Prevention, and Cannabis & Mental Health; and travels throughout Vermont presenting Substance Misuse education to staff, parents and community members. She is currently a School Based Prevention Workforce Facilitator for Prevention Works VT! Debby was the former chair of the Vermont Certification Board and has a private practice in Central Vermont. She has been in the substance abuse field for 30 years, from prevention to treatment. She has presented throughout Vermont on Vaping, Electronic Devices and Marijuana and the connections to healthy mental wellness. Her passion is working with adolescents and their families in breaking the cycle of addiction, and presenting information in an experiential, and thought-provoking way.

For Video: Click here