The Fall/Spring Summits are designed as a continuous program with the goal to motivate, encourage creativity and foster teamwork through the development and implementation of new programs that promote the prevention of substance abuse and mental health awareness. The theme for this school year is “Leading the Way: Life Is Worth Living.” Utilizing the arts and their imaginations, students have been working together to develop and implement an awareness instrument that can be shared as a prevention tool throughout their schools/communities bringing a positive change. As in the past, the Fall Summit kicked off the projects and students have been working on their video submissions. Therefore, the May 2020 Summit is the culminating event where students and chaperones will come together for a day of team building/networking, project presentations and awarding of grants.

The Science of Addiction Presented By Dr. Joseph N. Ranieri Medical Director, Seabrook. Understanding that addiction is a disease. Treatment goes beyond medications; recovery should include a Bio-psychosocial approach. Prevention approaches are paramount and need to be implemented

This course is an introduction to SBIRT. SBIRT is an evidence based practice that uses a public health approach to identify, reduce, and prevent problematic at-risk behavior(s), such as alcohol and drug use, within and across behavioral disciplines. As a comprehensive, integrated, public health and preventive approach, SBIRT is used to identify persons at-risk of a substance use disorder (SUD) before the onset of dependency and is additionally used to deliver referrals to persons who may qualify for a SUD diagnosis. This interactive training illustrates how SBIRT can be easily integrated into practice and also offers opportunities to develop and enhance SBIRT relevant skills.

Kaitlyn McCarthy, the Community Development Speicalist & Regional Coalition Coordinator of Monmouth County will be presenting on childhood experiences & substance use disroder. The audience will obtain information about programs that address both ACEs and substance use prevention as well as learning strategies that can be implemented to build trauma-informed communities.

The Fall/Spring Summits are designed as a continuous program with the goal to motivate, encourage creativity and foster teamwork through the development and implementation of new programs that promote the prevention of substance abuse and mental health awareness. Utilizing the arts and their imaginations, students have been working together to develop and implement an awareness instrument that can be shared as a prevention tool throughout their schools/communities bringing a positive change. As in the past, the Fall Summit kicked off the projects and students have been working on their video submissions. Therefore, the October 2020 Summit is the culminating event where students and chaperones will come together for a day of team building/networking, project presentations and awarding of grants.

Advancing health equity requires agencies and individuals to center health equity, conduct a critical analysis of history, recognize power dynamics, reflect on personal bias and agency impact, as well as maintain a commitment to community building. During this session, presenter Tanya M. Bass will discuss about the intersection of socially and culturally constructed programs and policies. She will also review historical events.

Employees from establishments of Passaic County were TIPS trained. This training included tips to get hired.