Description
Developmentally, youth engage in an array of unhealthy behaviors, including substance use risk-taking that may result in poor health outcomes into adulthood, including chronic disease, mental disorders, and the development of substance use disorders. A major system gap in community behavioral health settings serving youth has been a lack of early intervention programing that address substance use risk- taking. This training introduces providers to an available psychoeducational resource (Healthy YOUth Early Intervention Curriculum) developed to support providers in the implementation of early intervention services. Given that the Healthy YOUth Early Intervention Curriculum is an extensive educational workbook with four modules, this training consists of a two-part series to cover the content. Both parts review provider considerations and best practices for implementing effective early intervention services in youth systems of care for at-risk youth populations, with Part I covering educational units from Modules 1 and 2 of the Healthy YOUth Early Intervention Curriculum and Part II covering educational units from Modules 3 and 4 of the Curriculum. Reviewing Modules 1 and 2 provides an overview of key developmental principles and concepts associated with early intervention services, as well as, provides a foundation for understanding critical considerations when working with at-risk youth. In modules 3 and 4, foundations for understanding relationship health and community re- integration are provided. Here providers will be able to identify key developmental principles and concepts associated with successful behavior change, as well as, understand critical considerations when working with at-risk youth that serve as barriers to behavior change. This specific training module will cover Module 2 of the Healthy YOUth Early Intervention Curriculum.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the training, participants will be able to:

1. Identify two (2) key developmental principles and concepts associated with early intervention services.
2. Describe (2) critical provider considerations when working with at risk youth.   
3. Apply understanding of the Healthy YOUth Early Intervention Curriculum - Module 2 educational units from didactic applications.

Intended Audience

This training is appropriate for the following disciplines within the SAPC Provider Network:

• Registered and Certified Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselors
• LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs & Licensed Eligible (LE) AMFTs, ACSWs, APCCs
• Psychologists & Registered Psychological Associates
• Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists & Peer Support Specialists

Instructor
Rachel Castaneda, PhD, MPH & Sherry Larkins, PhD 
 
Rachel Gonzales-Castaneda, PhD, MPH, is a trained health research psychologist in the Department of Psychology at Azusa Pacific University and at the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs. She specializes in providing workforce development trainings for youth systems of care. Her current research focuses on innovative approaches and best practices for effectively addressing substance use risk and clinical co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders among youth populations and family systems.

Sherry Larkins, PhD, currently directs the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Program's International Training and Education efforts. She has directed training, technical assistance, and evaluation initiatives for local, state, and international programs. Her recent specialties include advocating for change and improvement in local youth settings with respect to at-risk early intervention programming and treatment for addressing co-occurring substance use and mental health needs of youth.

Hours/CEs
1 hour 24 minutes; 1.0 CE hour.

Format
This online course uses a mixed-media format of video and PowerPoint slides.

Process
During the training, participants will read or listen to the material presented in the slides. At the end of the training, participants will need to pass the training post-test with a score of 80% or better to print a certificate of completion and receive CE credits.

Prerequisites
None

Disclosure
Azusa Pacific University does not receive commercial support for the content of these trainings.

Questions and Concerns
If you have any questions related to the training content and continued education, please email
SAPC.CST@PH.LACOUNTY.GOV.

If you experience any technical issues, please email INFO@SAPC-LNC.ORG.