Free training for staff and peers in Brooklyn and on Long Island: OASAS-Funded State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant-Funded Training. All courses provide continuing education hours for CASAC, SW, MHC, and MFT!
Training for staff and peers working in OASAS-certified programs on Long Island and in Brooklyn is available at no charge under the OASAS SOR grant. All courses provide CASAC, social work, MHC, and MFT continuing education hours. To be eligible, you must work on Long Island or in Brooklyn in an OASAS-certified program. Trainings have been scheduled for September, with more to come soon. Check back regularly!
January • February • March • April • May • June • July
To apply for any (or all) courses, please complete this brief, separate application form. You will receive a response in a few weeks to confirm your enrollment.
January
Improving Client Engagement and Compliance (3 hours)
This course will focus on how to effectively engage clients in treatment and use evidenced-based strategies shown to increase retention. Strategies to develop rapport, address client anxieties and apprehensions about treatment, increase motivation, collaboratively establish treatment goals, and establish a working alliance will be examined. Participants will practice using some of these strategies in counseling simulations.
- Date: January 16, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Dr. Kalisha Smith, DSW, LCSW, CASAC Master Counselor, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: December 19, 2024
• • • • • •
Harm Reduction (3 hours)
This presentation will be an opportunity to examine the multiple issues which harm reduction approaches raise for substance use disorder providers who have less experience in providing these services. We will look at definitions, examples currently in practice, and proposed patient interventions. Practical implementation and operational issues which individual practitioners and organizations might have to address will also be reviewed.
- Date: January 22, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: December 23, 2024
• • • • • •
Working with the LGBTQIA Community (3 hours)
This training provides the most current information relevant to the LGBTQIA community as consumers and providers in the workplace. Participants will expand their awareness of diversity in the workplace and will explore issues impacting their clients and colleagues within the LGBTQIA community. The course will cover issues such as discrimination, and homophobia which can impact treatment outcomes for clients and job satisfaction for employees. The importance of being knowledgeable about the LGBTQIA Community and possessing the skills needed to demonstrate sensitivity when working with all members of this population will be examined. The course offers practical exercises and case studies that provide the opportunity to practice effective, sensitive interactions with members of the LGBTQ Community during the training. Participants will acquire a mastery of key concepts including birth/assigned sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. Through dynamic, interactive exercises, participants will begin to understand ally ship and how LGBTQ inclusion can positively impact their workplace.
- Date: January 23, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Gretchen Grappone, LICSW, Adjunct Instructor, OTI
Registration Deadline: December 23, 2024
• • • • • •
From Painkillers to Heroin-The Changing Face of Opiate Addiction (3 hours)
As we face a significant resurgence of opioid usage, this presentation will first ask “how did we get here?” and look at the links between prescription painkillers and heroin use. We will then consider how some of today’s prescription painkiller and heroin abusers reflect a changing demographic and clinical profile, and the implications for treatment and recovery.
- Date: January 29, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: December 27, 2024
• Back to the Top • To Apply Click Here •
February
Working with LGBTQ+ Youth in the Field of SUD and MH (3 hours)
This course will review LGBTQ+ 101 terminology, queer history, risk and protective factors for LGBTQ+ Youth, allyship, and affirming best practices for LGBTQ+ Youth.
- Date: February 5, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Dayna Smith Slade, MA, MS, MAC, SAP, Adjunct Instructor, OTI
Registration Deadline: January 3, 2025
• • • • • •
Motivational Interviewing Tune-Up (3 hours)
This course will provide an opportunity for participants to practice MI skills and refresh their understanding of this essential approach to working with people with substance use disorders.
- Date: February 6, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Liliane Drago, MA, CASAC Master Counselor, MAC, VP of Training, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: January 6, 2025
• • • • • •
Speaking As If Our Words Matter: Intentional Use of Language in Service Provision (3 hours)
Our language choices can contribute to the continuation or reduction of stigma amongst people with behavioral health disorders. This presentation will invite us to consider some of the current language choices and definitions we might encounter in our field and which ones have the potential to contribute – even subtly and without any antagonistic intention – toward negative judgments, blame, inaccuracies, etc. which can feed into the very discrimination which we and those we serve might encounter. It will also discuss our comfort levels with current alternative language suggestions intended to reduce stigma and discrimination.
- Date: February 11, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: January 14, 2025
• • • • • •
Beyond the Test: Empathy, Advocacy and Addressing Bias in Toxicology Testing (3 Hours)
This training delves into the biases inherent in toxicology testing, emphasizing empathic communication with individuals in recovery, exploring relapse conversations, and advocating to support justice-involved individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
- Date: February 25, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Kalisha Smith, DSW, LCSW, CASAC Master Counselor, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: January 28, 2025
• • • • • •
Psychological Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care (3 hours)
This course will provide an understanding for all staff members who work in substance use disorder treatment and have client contact, regardless of role. The goal of the course is to help sensitize participants to the impact trauma has on clients and how to interact with clients in a trauma-informed manner. The definition of trauma, its signs and symptoms, and its pervasive impact on individuals will be explored. Principles of trauma-informed care will be presented, and participants will discuss how to apply these to their work settings.
- Date: February 26, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Kalisha Smith, DSW, LCSW, CASAC Master Counselor, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: January 29, 2025
• Back to the Top • To Apply Click Here •
March
Overdose Risk Assessment and Prevention (3 hours)
This training will review risk and protective factors for overdose to improve clinicians’ overdose risk assessment skills. The training will also review overdose prevention / safety planning and universal safety tips clients can implement immediately to reduce overdose risk.
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Adelya Urmanche, Ph.D., Adjunct Instructor
Registration Deadline: January 28, 2025
• • • • • •
Motivational Interviewing Tune-Up (3 hours)
This course will provide an opportunity for participants to practice MI skills and refresh their understanding of this essential approach to working with people with substance use disorders.
- Date: March 13, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Liliane Drago, MA, CASAC Master Counselor, MAC, VP of Training, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: February 6, 2025
• • • • • •
Beyond the Test: Empathy, Advocacy and Addressing Bias in Toxicology Testing (3 Hours)
This training delves into the biases inherent in toxicology testing, emphasizing empathic communication with individuals in recovery, exploring relapse conversations, and advocating to support justice-involved individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
- Date: March 19, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Kalisha Smith, DSW, LCSW, CASAC Master Counselor, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: February 12, 2025
• • • • • •
Person-Centered Care (3 hours)
A person-centered approach is the standard of care in health and behavioral health services. The principles of person-centered care will be reviewed, including its philosophy, approach, language, documentation, and effectiveness.
- Date: March 20, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Dayna Smith Slade, MA, MS, MAC, SAP, Adjunct Instructor, OTI
Registration Deadline: February 13, 2025
• • • • • •
Crisis Prevention and De-Escalation (3 hours)
This course teaches participants to use Nonviolent Crisis Intervention by the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI). Participants learn to appropriately intervene at every level of a crisis, with emphasis on the identification of the early stages of a crisis and how to prevent its escalation. The use of verbal de-escalation and personal safety techniques is introduced and practiced. The overarching priority of this approach is to keep both clients and staff safe.
- Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Trainer: Dr. Kalisha Smith, DSW, LCSW, CASAC Master Counselor, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: February 19, 2025
• • • • • •
Cultural Competence in SUD Treatment (3 hours)
The focus of this course will be the development of cultural competence in counseling, which includes an understanding of how cultural issues impact the therapeutic relationship. The complexity of cultural identity will be explored for a deeper understanding of the role of culture on beliefs, attitudes, values, and behavior. The practice of cultural humility and cultural self-awareness will also be examined as a key aspect of cultural effectiveness. A variety of applications of cultural awareness and competence will be reviewed in the class.
- Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Trainer: Dr. Kalisha Smith, DSW, LCSW, CASAC Master Counselor, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: February 20, 2025
• Back to the Top • To Apply Click Here •
April
The Other Drugs of Misuse (3 hours)
The variety of psychoactive drugs now available to users are well beyond the more-commonly known drugs of abuse. Some are taken for their primary effects while others are found as adulterants or additives to more-commonly used drugs. This presentation will review some less-frequently discussed substances, including Ayahuasca, Ketamine, Gabapentin, Kratom, “Bath Salts”, “K-2”, CBD, Xylazine, and Delta 8 THC as well as the recent resurgence of interest in the therapeutic use of psychedelics.
- Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II
Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: February 25, 2025
• • • • • •
DBT Skills and Protocol Overview (3 hours)
This presentation will provide an introductory training on the fundamentals of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and protocols, designed to provide a foundational understanding and general practical application techniques.
- Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Trainer: Gretchen Grappone, LICSW Adjunct Instructor, OTI
Registration Deadline: February 26, 2025
• • • • • •
DBT Skills and Protocol Overview (3 hours)
This presentation will provide an introductory training on the fundamentals of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and protocols, designed to provide a foundational understanding and general practical application techniques.
- Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Trainer: Gretchen Grappone, LICSW Adjunct Instructor, OTI
Registration Deadline: March 4, 2025
• • • • • •
Crisis Prevention and De-Escalation (3 hours)
This course teaches participants to use Nonviolent Crisis Intervention by the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI). Participants learn to appropriately intervene at every level of a crisis, with emphasis on the identification of the early stages of a crisis and how to prevent its escalation. The use of verbal de-escalation and personal safety techniques is introduced and practiced. The overarching priority of this approach is to keep both clients and staff safe.
- Date: Tuesday, April 9, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Trainer: Dr. Kalisha Smith, DSW, LCSW, CASAC Master Counselor, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: March 5, 2025
• • • • • •
Harm Reduction (3 hours)
This presentation will be an opportunity to examine the multiple issues which harm reduction approaches raise for substance use disorder providers who have less experience in providing these services. We will look at definitions, examples currently in practice, and proposed patient interventions. Practical implementation and operational issues which individual practitioners and organizations might have to address will also be reviewed.
- Date: April 30, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: March 26, 2025
• Back to the Top • To Apply Click Here •
May
Overdose Risk Assessment and Prevention (3 hours)
This training will review risk and protective factors for overdose to improve clinicians’ overdose risk assessment skills. The training will also review overdose prevention / safety planning and universal safety tips clients can implement immediately to reduce overdose risk.
- Date: May 6, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Adelya Urmanche, Ph.D., Adjunct Instructor
Registration Deadline: April 1, 2025
• • • • • •
Brief Interventions (3 hours)
Brief interventions are short-term services provided to individuals engaged in risky substance use. They can provide education on risks and opportunities to change behavior outside of a formal “treatment” setting. This presentation will identify the most appropriate candidates, share interventions and exercises which might be used in this short-term context, and review proper documentation.
- Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II
Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: April 3, 2025
• • • • • •
Psychological Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care (3 hours)
This course will provide an understanding for all staff members who work in substance use disorder treatment and have client contact, regardless of role. The goal of the course is to help sensitize participants to the impact trauma has on clients and how to interact with clients in a trauma-informed manner. The definition of trauma, its signs and symptoms, and its pervasive impact on individuals will be explored. Principles of trauma-informed care will be presented, and participants will discuss how to apply these to their work settings.
- Date: May 15, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Kalisha Smith, DSW, LCSW, CASAC Master Counselor, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: April 10, 2025
• • • • • •
Working with the LGBTQIA Community (3 hours)
This training provides the most current information relevant to the LGBTQIA community as consumers and providers in the workplace. Participants will expand their awareness of diversity in the workplace and will explore issues impacting their clients and colleagues within the LGBTQIA community. The course will cover issues such as discrimination, and homophobia which can impact treatment outcomes for clients and job satisfaction for employees. The importance of being knowledgeable about the LGBTQIA Community and possessing the skills needed to demonstrate sensitivity when working with all members of this population will be examined. The course offers practical exercises and case studies that provide the opportunity to practice effective, sensitive interactions with members of the LGBTQ Community during the training. Participants will acquire a mastery of key concepts including birth/assigned sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. Through dynamic, interactive exercises, participants will begin to understand ally ship and how LGBTQ inclusion can positively impact their workplace.
- Date: May 21, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Gretchen Grappone, LICSW, Adjunct Instructor, OTI
Registration Deadline: April 16, 2025
• • • • • •
Screening for Psychological Trauma and PTSD (3 hours)
Participants in this class will learn why screening for psychological trauma and PTSD is so essential in the provision of trauma-specific and trauma-informed care, the use of specific trauma screening tools, and best practices for administration and follow-up.
- Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Trainer: Dr. Kalisha Smith, DSW, LCSW, CASAC Master Counselor
Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: April 23, 2025
• • • • • •
Mastering Crisis Responses: Comprehensive In-Person, Community, and Phone Strategies (3 hours)
This comprehensive training session is designed to equip participants with the skills to effectively handle crises in various settings. The presentation includes practical strategies and techniques, focusing on the immediate handling of actual crises in person, in the community, and over the phone, ensuring a well-rounded approach to dealing with both self-harm and harm to others.
- Date: Thursday, May 29, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Trainer: Dr. Kalisha Smith, DSW, LCSW, CASAC Master Counselor
Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: April 24, 2025
• Back to the Top • To Apply Click Here •
June
The Pharmacology for Clinicians Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Drugs? (3 hours)
This training allows participants to test their knowledge of various drugs of misuse. Drugs of focus will include alcohol, opioids, stimulants, cannabis products, xylazine, kratom, dissociative drugs, psychedelics for treatment of MH conditions, opioid antagonists and medications for treatment of substance use disorders. Scenarios will often also invite decision making on “next steps” with substance use disorders in the context of assessment and/or service planning.
- Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II
Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: April 30, 2025
• • • • • •
Crisis Prevention and De-Escalation (3 hours)
This course teaches participants to use Nonviolent Crisis Intervention by the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI). Participants learn to appropriately intervene at every level of a crisis, with emphasis on the identification of the early stages of a crisis and how to prevent its escalation. The use of verbal de-escalation and personal safety techniques is introduced and practiced. The overarching priority of this approach is to keep both clients and staff safe.
- Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Trainer: Dr. Kalisha Smith, DSW, LCSW, CASAC Master Counselor, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: May 6, 2025
• • • • • •
Working with LGBTQ+ Youth in the Field of SUD and MH (3 hours)
This course will review LGBTQ+ 101 terminology, queer history, risk and protective factors for LGBTQ+ Youth, allyship, and affirming best practices for LGBTQ+ Youth.
- Date: June 12, 2025
- Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Trainer: Dayna Smith Slade, MA, MS, MAC, SAP, Adjunct Instructor, OTI
Registration Deadline: May 8, 2025
• Back to the Top • To Apply Click Here •
July
Cultural Competence in SUD Treatment (3 hours)
The focus of this course will be the development of cultural competence in counseling, which includes an understanding of how cultural issues impact the therapeutic relationship. The complexity of cultural identity will be explored for a deeper understanding of the role of culture on beliefs, attitudes, values, and behavior. The practice of cultural humility and cultural self-awareness will also be examined as a key aspect of cultural effectiveness. A variety of applications of cultural awareness and competence will be reviewed in the class.
- Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Trainer: Dr. Kalisha Smith, DSW, LCSW, CASAC Master Counselor, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: June 4, 2025
• • • • • •
Bringing Evidence Based Practices Into the Service Setting (3 hours)
The growing emphasis on evidence-based practices (EBP) raises issues of practical integration into the treatment setting. This presentation will address just what is an evidence-based practice, what are some of the currently recognized EBPs in substance use disorder treatment, and what are some of the considerations for integration into existing services.
- Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II
Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: June 18, 2025
• • • • • •
Working with Women with Opioid Use Disorders (3 hours)
This training will provide behavioral health professionals with essential knowledge and skills to address the unique needs of women in treatment, focusing on gender-specific approaches, trauma-informed care, and comprehensive support systems for recovery.
- Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Trainer: Dr. Kalisha Smith, DSW, LCSW, CASAC Master Counselor
Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation
Registration Deadline: June 25, 2025