Description
The engagement of caregivers in family psychoeducation and support is widely acknowledged to be critical in substance use systems of care that serve at-risk youth populations. Family psychoeducation and support has been found to significantly improve outcomes of youth with substance use risk issues during early intervention programming by volumes of research. The 4-hour training will review a Caregiver Psychoeducational Tool that was developed as a supplemental resource to the HealthYOUth Early Intervention Services Curriculum. The Caregiver Tool includes five learning units designed for caregivers to help understand youth substance use risk issues, the importance of early intervention services, and how to support at-risk youth with core skills and resources. The training will also review the Caregiver Psychoeducation Provider Manual to equip providers on how to best implement family psychoeducation and support using the Caregiver Psychoeducational Tool.

Learning Objectives

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

1. Describe at least two (2) benefits of engaging caregivers in psychoeducation and support during
   early intervention service programming.
2. Identify at least two (2) ways to overcome caregiver engagement barriers when providing early
   intervention services with at-risk youth. 
3. Demonstrate the learning of the Caregiver Psychoeducation as a resource to support at-risk
   youth during early intervention service programming.
4. Provide at least two (2) examples of how to effectively implement the Caregiver Psychoeducation Supplement with family systems during early intervention service
   programming.

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
2 hours; 2.0 CE hours.

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.

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.