In order to build capacity of the prevention workforce, the Bureau of Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services promotes and provides state-level supports that contribute to community-level prevention services. These supports include coaching, training, certification and best practice resources.
List items for Prevention Supports Training
The Bureau of Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services provides a variety of trainings available to any prevention professional. All publicly available trainings are listed on the YourLifeIowa.org Training Calendar.
The Bureau of Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services, 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.
The Bureau of Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services 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.
SPF Application for Prevention Success Training (SAPST) and Ethics Training
List items for Substance Use Prevention Skills Training (SAPST) and Ethics Training
The Bureau of Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services, in collaboration with the Mid-America Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) sponsors SAPST 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 complete 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 Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services, in collaboration with the Mid-America PTTC 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 Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services.
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.
Any scheduled SAPST and Prevention Ethics courses will be listed on the Mid-America PTTC website.
Prevention 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 Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services supports Prevention Specialist Certification and Recertification through contract requirements in most of the 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.