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In order to build capacity of the prevention workforce, the Bureau of Substance Abuse promotes and provides state-level supports that contribute to community-level prevention services. These supports include coaching, training, certification and best practice resources.
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Any scheduled SAPST and Prevention Ethics courses will be noted on the MCTC Training Calendar. Click on each SAPST and Prevention Ethics course in the calendar to register. Priority registration is provided to Iowa prevention professionals.
The Bureau of Substance Abuse provides a variety of trainings available to any prevention professional. All publicly available trainings are listed on the YourLifeIowa.org Training Calendar. Training details and registration links are available through this site for prevention and treatment trainings and webinars.
The Bureau of Substance Use, in conjunction with state and national professionals, has hosted training webinars on prevention topics ranging from substance misuse, suicide prevention, and problem gambling that are available in the YourLifeIowa.org Training Library. Continuing Education Credits will not be provided for viewing recorded webinars. This webpage is updated monthly.
The Bureau of Substance Use provides free prevention focused webinars the first Friday of each month from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Central. Most webinars qualify for CEU’s when participants attend live during the day of the event. Once registered to attend a webinar, participants will be added to the webinar information distribution list. To view the webinar offerings and to register, see the YourLifeIowa.org Training Calendar.
Capacity Coaching
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The Bureau of Substance Use recognizes the challenges facing the Prevention Workforce. In order to better support prevention professionals, the bureau established the Capacity Coach Program to offer coaching services. In 2010, this program was developed through the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Capacity Coaching Program has served specific prevention grants and now is being offered to all funded prevention contractors.
Coaching focuses on goal-oriented, solution-focused processes to help identify solutions, address roadblocks, delineate goals and identify ways to achieve those goals. Professional coaching helps people tap into their potential, unlocking sources of creativity and productivity.
IDPH’s Capacity Coach Program aligns with the code of ethics and guidelines of the International Coach Federation (ICF). The ICF is the leading global organization dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing internationally recognized independent certification and building a worldwide network of trained coaching professionals.
Any Bureau of Substance Abuse prevention funded agency staff members can access Capacity Coaching services. Additional time for coaching does not need to be budgeted for these services. Coaching services are available as capacity permits.
Session topics are driven by the agency staff needs. Common session topics include, but are not limited to:
- Brainstorming ways to support teams and systems.
- Expanding knowledge in areas of personal development.
- Seeking resources related to personal growth.
- Developing personal or professional goals.
- Discussing challenges and brainstorm solutions and challenges.
- Seeking support in utilizing the Strategic Prevention Framework process.
- Iowa’s Capacity Coaching System Overview Document
Prevention Guide
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The Prevention Guide, created by the Bureau of Substance Use Prevention Team, provides foundational instruction and best practices for implementing prevention services throughout the state. The guide offers comprehensive instruction related to program performance standards for service availability and delivery, personnel onboarding and development trainings, fiscal practices, record keeping and data reporting.
Embedded throughout the guide are useful tips and tools to ensure contract compliance throughout the project period. Each component of this guide has been carefully drafted to assist your agency each step of the way. This guide should be maintained at each agency funded by prevention grants to ensure adherence to each component provided within this document.
Due to the evolving nature of the prevention field, the Prevention Guide will be reviewed and revised by a collective group of stakeholders every two years. This group will consist of, but will not be limited to, Iowa Department of Public Health representatives and contracted agencies.
- Prevention Guide
- Evidence-Based Programs, Practices and Policies Selection and Implementation Guide
Substance Use Prevention Skills Training (SAPST) and Ethics Training
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The Bureau of Substance Abuse in collaboration with the Midwest Counterdrug Training Center (MCTC) sponsors Substance Abuse Prevention Skills and Prevention Ethics trainings two to three times a year.
These trainings are most beneficial for:
- Prevention Professionals
- Coalition Members
- Social Service Professionals
- Public Health Professionals
- Anyone interested in prevention
The goal of the SAPST is to assist professionals in the field to gain an understanding of prevention principles and the application of evidence-based prevention strategies and programs. The training was created by the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration.
The training consists of 26 hours of training and an online component (5 hours of training) which are both required for Prevention Specialist certification. Participants must attend all sessions to completed the SAPST course.
Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate for 31 hours of participation which satisfies the Certified Prevention Specialist requirement for initial credentialing through the Iowa Board of Certification.
The Bureau of Substance Use in collaboration with Midwest Counterdrug Training Center (MCTC) sponsors Prevention Ethics Training for certification and for recertification. The six hour training for certification was created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The three hour training for recertification was created by the Bureau of Substance Abuse.
For Prevention Ethics Training for Certification, the training is six hours in length. For Prevention Ethics for Recertification, the training is three hours in length. Participants must attend the full training to receive credit.
These trainings are approved ethics courses through the Iowa Board of Certification (IBC). Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of participation which satisfies the ethics requirement through IBC.
Specialist Certification
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According to the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), credentialed prevention staff ensure that programs and their funders are delivering on their mission of ensuring public safety and well-being. A thorough understanding of prevention and the latest evidence-based practices for treatment is the hallmark of a qualified professional.
The purpose of the prevention certification process is:
- To promote credibility of prevention professionals.
- To assure the public of a minimal level of competency in prevention services.
- To promote the delivery of competent, professional prevention services.
- To establish a recognized credential of professional competency, which allows
for national reciprocity. - To establish guidelines for new prevention specialists.
- To promote continued professional development for the prevention specialist.
The Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) credential requires professionals to demonstrate competency through experience, education, supervision, and the passing of a rigorous examination.
The Bureau of Substance Abuse supports Prevention Specialist Certification and Recertification through contract requirements in the majority of prevention grants.
The Iowa Board of Certification (IBC) oversees the certification process for the prevention field in Iowa. Get details about the certification process and requirements.