Training & Presentations
If you would like to request a training session for a group, please fill out the Training Request Form at the bottom of this page at least two weeks in advance.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? For additional topics, contact us.
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention
Tobacco/Vaping Education
Nicotine delivery products come in many forms, but their addictive effects are the same. Many chemical combinations found in tobacco smoke also appear in vape smoke.
- Length: 1.5 hours
- Target Audience: Everyone (Adult/Youth)
Cannabis 101
This training covers cannabis in its different forms, differences between THC and CBD, dangers of high potency marijuana, effects on youth and brain development, and public health implications due to the recent legalization of adult-use cannabis.
- Length: 1 hour
- Target Audience: Youth and adult groups seeking information and education. Appropriate for Coalition Members and Prevention Professionals.
Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) and Coalition Building
The Strategic Prevention Framework is a dynamic, data-driven planning process that prevention practitioners use to address substance abuse and its related mental health problems more effectively. By learning this process, individuals can identify sectors, stakeholders, and other partners to develop a strategic plan and identify shared goals.
- Length: 1.5 hours
- Target Audience: Prevention Professionals, Coalition Members
*We offer a two-day intensive SPF training for those new to the prevention field. Please inquire by emailing us.
Opioid Education and Naloxone (Narcan) Administration
This hands-on session provides information on opioids, including street drugs (like heroin) and prescription drugs (like Oxycontin). Opioid overdoses have become an epidemic — in Connecticut, on average, two people die every day from an opioid overdose. Participants also will learn how to administer naloxone, also known as Narcan, which can reverse an opioid overdose and save lives.
- Length: 1 hour
- Target Audience: Everyone / Those at least 18 years old will receive a naloxone kit for FREE
Suicide Prevention, Postvention & Mental Health
QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer – Suicide Prevention
The goal of QPR training is to help community members prevent suicide attempts and completions. As a result of this training, participants will be able to recognize risk factors, warning signs, and intervention techniques. The session familiarizes participants with available resources and provides an understanding of the myths and facts associated with suicide.
- Length: 1.5 hours
- Target Audience: Anyone at least 18 years old
Talk Saves Lives
This introduction to suicide prevention is for all ages and addresses the general scope of suicide, current research on prevention, and available options for intervention.
- Length: 45 minutes – 1 Hour
- Target Audience: Everyone
Connect Suicide Postvention Training
The Connect Suicide Postvention Training is a Nationally Designated Best Practice Program that assists communities on how to coordinate a comprehensive and safe response to a suicide that includes:
- Strategies for reducing the risk of contagion
- Review of the complexity of suicide-related grief, especially for different age groups
- Recommendations for funerals and memorial activities
- Suggestions of how to talk to survivors of suicide loss to promote their healing
- Best practices for safe messaging about suicide and responding to the media
- Identification of community resources to promote healing
Training Length: half day, or full day (ie. 4-6/7 hours)
Target Audience: community partners interested in developing a town response plan, workplaces, first responders, mental health professionals, schools.
Overview of Adult or Youth Mental Health
We discuss what mental health means, the stigma associated with mental health disorders, examples of common illnesses, and treatment resources for children, adolescents, and adults.
- Length: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Target Audience: Everyone – can be adjusted to those as young as middle school
Recognizing Anxiety in Teens and Young Adults
This session discusses the nature of anxiety and how it manifests itself in teens and young adults, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Techniques for treating and living with anxiety are discussed, as well as how adults can provide effective relief for young people.
- Length: 1 hour
- Target Audience: Adults, Parents, Caregivers, Prevention Professionals, and those who work with teens and young adults
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA)
Primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people, this certified course is designed to teach participants how to help an adolescent who may be experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or is experiencing crisis. This session explores common mental health challenges for youth, discusses typical stages of adolescent development, and teaches a five-step action plan to help young people in crisis. For more information, visit the Mental Health First Aid.
- Length: Varies depending on format (in-person, hybrid, or fully online versions)
- Target Audience: Parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health, and human service workers (attendees must be 18+)
Problem Gambling/Gaming Prevention
Community Conversation About Gambling
Learn about the impact of problem gambling and how to help a loved one impacted by this disease. This training will cover local, regional, and state resources for problem gambling prevention, treatment, and recovery.
- Length: 1 hour
- Target Audience: Any adult/youth seeking information and education
“Powered Up” Courses
- Healthy Video Gaming Programs
- Powered Up Parent: Video game Awareness, Knowledge & Confidence
- Powered Up Player: Level Up Your Gaming. Level Up Your Life.
- Length: 2 hours (Online Learning at your own pace)
- Target Audience: Parents and 10+ youth
Additional Trainings
LGBTQIA+ & Allyship
An introduction to LGBTQIA+ education and how to become an ally to the community.
This training covers gender identity, sexual orientation, behavioral health statistics, challenges and triumphs within the community, characteristics of an ally, and how to be more inclusive in your work. This training can be adjusted depending on the time and audience. Prevention best practices and interactive group discussions can be included.
- Length: 1 – 1.5 hours
- Target Population: Everyone – youth, families, and prevention professionals
Essentials of Policy Advocacy
This presentation describes effective forms of policy advocacy in our state, how to become involved in policy-making, and the basics of giving written and spoken testimony. This session covers why advocacy matters, how a bill becomes a law, legislative terms to know, how to find and contact legislators, how to locate and track bills, how to access a bulletin, and a breakdown of steps to offer spoken and written testimony, including phone calls and emails.
- Length: 1 – 1.5 hours
- Target Population: Everyone
Regional Report: Behavioral Health Trends of Southwestern CT
The Hub reports on the Regional Needs Assessment Priority Report every two years. This session presents the findings of our report, including pertinent behavioral health topics, trends, strengths, gaps, needs, and recommendations. We delve into findings about mental health, cannabis, vaping, alcohol, problem gambling, suicide and more. The summary of findings is tailored to the group’s interest and explores regional strategic behavioral health plans and services.
- Length: 1 hour
- Target Audience: Any stakeholder group in Southwestern CT
Training Request Form
To schedule any of our training sessions, please submit a request form at least two weeks in advance. These trainings are intended for groups only. Trainings are based on staff availability, and we will do our best to accommodate your request. Most training can be modified and personalized. When you submit a request, a team member will email you to coordinate details.
