Prevention Professionals Conference is designed to offer Maine’s Prevention Community a broad range of learning opportunities. The conference will focus on providing information and resources for the field of tobacco and substance use prevention including building resilience and protective factors as a prevention strategy; innovative approaches to addressing health disparities; framing and messaging; comorbidity tobacco and marijuana use; and engagement of youth in prevention. The program includes both panel presentations and plenary sessions that will provide the opportunity for interaction among participants. SAVE THE DATE
Youth/Young Adult
This funny, informative and engaging half-day training focuses on communicating with teenagers about sensitive topics such as substance abuse and mental health.
The first training session is a keynote style presentation titled, Using Endorphins Wisely: The Science Behind Laughing, Meditating, Reducing Stress and Managing Your Emotions. This engaging program will involve stand-up comedy, audience participation and inspiring stories. It is meant to kick off the day with some energy, in addition to demonstrating Matt’s style when presenting to youth.
In the second session, Dr. Bellace relies more on his training as a clinical neuropsychologist to present the science behind the concepts he mentioned in the keynote. The topics covered include the developing brain, social support, communication and screen time, the neuroscience of meditation and other coping skills, substance abuse (e.g. vaping, THC, alcohol) and mental health. This session is intended to be interactive, so feel free to ask questions.
The final session has the potential to be the most fun, since it involves you! In the remaining time, Dr. Bellace will lead a discussion of effective speaking techniques when working with youth. In addition, he will encourage select members of the audience to put together a brief (2-3 minute) presentation about a prevention topic they feel teenagers need to hear. Dr. Bellace will create a supportive environment to debrief what worked and what could be improved the next time.
One of the simplest ways to honor others is to affirm who they are. None of us can have healthy relationships with people who invalidate, minimize, or dismiss us. In this workshop, we’ll dismantle and examine what we think of as gender and then reassemble those pieces with a greater understanding of how gender works in our culture. We will also explore language, pronouns, and allyship.
Participants who successfully complete this 3 hour workshop will:
• Become more familiar with language relating to gender identity.
• Understand the components of gender (identity, expression, sex assigned at birth, and chromosomes).
• Learn about the impact of culture and society on gender presentation and expression.
• Discuss the importance of being an ally to those who are gender variant.
• Explore how relationships are strengthened by honoring and affirming others experiences of gender.
Registration Fee includes a continental breakfast.
The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in crisis.
Thank you for making time for this two day training. We are excited to work with you all. This opportunity is available for TWO people from your organization who work with young people in any capacity.
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
Participate in a two day intensive dive into youth facilitation best practices.
In this two-day facilitation workshop, you will fill your toolbox with activities, skills and facilitation strategies intended to grow your practice working with youth groups. Learn the skills to help groups solve complex problems, leverage diverse points of view, practice social-emotional skills and build engaging sessions for your team. In this workshop you will walk through activities in real time that are designed to encourage student curiosity and inquiry. Learn how to enhance your debrief and reflection skills to create a deeper understanding of real world experiences and meaningful learning outcomes. Leave with exciting ideas, a new network of like-minded professionals and a few new viewpoints on your role as a youth facilitator!
Participate in a two day intensive dive into youth facilitation best practices.
In this two-day facilitation workshop, you will fill your toolbox with activities, skills and facilitation strategies intended to grow your practice working with youth groups. Learn the skills to help groups solve complex problems, leverage diverse points of view, practice social-emotional skills and build engaging sessions for your team. In this workshop you will walk through activities in real time that are designed to encourage student curiosity and inquiry. Learn how to enhance your debrief and reflection skills to create a deeper understanding of real world experiences and meaningful learning outcomes. Leave with exciting ideas, a new network of like-minded professionals and a few new viewpoints on your role as a youth facilitator!
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
Learn to use research based tools and practices to enhance youth-led programming.
Explore potential pitfalls and strategies around youth retention while building core competencies that support youth.
Learn to use research based tools and practices to enhance youth-led programming.
Explore potential pitfalls and strategies around youth retention while building core competencies that support youth.
Develop skills to grow and sustain lasting and supportive relationships with young people.
In this workshop, dive into how protective factors like positive adult relationships can build resiliency in young people and improve outcomes.