Free, OASAS-Sponsored EBP Trainings

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!

March • AprilMayJuneJulySeptember

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.

 

March


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: March 4, 2024
  • 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 27, 2024

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 6, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: TBD

Registration Deadline: February 28, 2024

Toxicology Testing (3 hours)

An overview of the various forms of drug testing, including urine, saliva, hair, sweat, breath and issues associated with each.  Common means of attempting to falsify the urine test results will also be discussed.

  • Date: March 13, 2024
  • 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 6, 2024

Fentanyl, Xylazine and Polysubstance Use (3 hours)

This training will review information on recent drug adulterants , fentanyl and xylazine, including prevalence rates and implications of use. The training will also review extant guidelines on safer use and strategies to facilitate discussions about drug adulterants.

  • Date: March 19, 2024
  • Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  • Trainer: Adelya Urmanche, Ph.D., Adjunct Instructor, Supervising Psychologist at Mount Sinai Behavioral Health Center, Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Registration Deadline: March 12, 2024

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: March 20, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: TBD

Registration Deadline: March 13, 2024

Overview of the Neurobiology of Addiction and Implications for Practice (3 hours)

This presentation is designed to help social workers develop a basic understanding of the current thinking regarding the neurobiology of addiction, especially with regard to neurotransmitter modification, neuroplasticity during drug use, and possible functional brain changes as a result of chronic drug use. Clinical interventions with chronic drug users are discussed in light of this framework.

  • Date: March 21, 2024
  • 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 14, 2024

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: March 26, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: Liliane Drago, MA, CASAC Master Counselor, MAC, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation

Registration Deadline: March 19, 2024

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: March 27, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: TBD

Registration Deadline: March 20, 2024

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April


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: April 3, 2024
  • Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  • Trainer: Liliane Drago, MA, CASAC Master Counselor, MAC, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation

Registration Deadline: March 26, 2024

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: April 9, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: Adelya Urmanche, Ph.D., Adjunct Instructor, Supervising Psychologist at Mount Sinai Behavioral Health Center, Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Registration Deadline: April 2, 2024

Assessment of Spirituality (3 hours)

While many people have current or past religious/spiritual beliefs, practices and experiences that have influenced their lives and current behavior, few clinicians integrate spirituality into the assessment process.  After a review of concerns in integrating spiritual issues into clinical practice, we will focus on areas of assessment, differentiating between spiritual beliefs which create functional or dysfunctional behavior, tools of assessment, and identification of potential counseling issues which can also inform treatment planning.

  • Date: April 12, 2024
  • Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation

Registration Deadline: April 5, 2024

 • • • • • •

Age as a Cultural Variable: Understanding Generational Differences (3 hours)

This course will explore how age functions as cultural variable and affects a broad range of attitudes, beliefs, values, language, customs and more.  Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Gen Z will be examined. Participants will share their understanding and experiences with the “generation gap.” Understanding generational differences will facilitate greater cultural competency in counseling and other interpersonal endeavors.

  • Date: April 17, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: Liliane Drago, MA, CASAC Master Counselor, MAC, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation

Registration Deadline: April 12, 2024

 • • • • • •

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: April 18, 2024
  • 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 11, 2024

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May


Harm Reduction with Cannabis Users (3 hours)

While much of harm reduction currently emphasizes interventions for opioid users, there is a need to expand this approach to address specific issues with other drugs of use and misuse.  The wider acceptance and promotion of cannabis warrants consideration of lower risk and intervention strategies for cannabis users.  This presentation will specifically focus on harm reduction strategies that can be employed with active cannabis users.

  • Date: May 7, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation

Registration Deadline: April 30, 2024

 • • • • • •

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: May 8, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: TBD

Registration Deadline:  April 5, 2024

 • • • • • •

Developments in the Field of Substance Abuse: 23-24 (3 hours)

This presentation will provide a wide-ranging update to substance abuse service providers who work in clinical, supervisory and/or administrative roles. Areas covered include developments in treatment, research, drug trends, funding, legal & regulatory issues and professional development.

  • Date: May 13, 2024
  • 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 11, 2024

 • • • • • •

Fentanyl, Zylazine and Polysubstance Use (3 hours)

This training will review information on recent drug adulterants , fentanyl and xylazine, including prevalence rates and implications of use. The training will also review extant guidelines on safer use and strategies to facilitate discussions about drug adulterants.

  • Date: May 14, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: Adelya Urmanche, Ph.D., Adjunct Instructor, Supervising Psychologist at Mount Sinai Behavioral Health Center, Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Registration Deadline: May 7, 2024

 • • • • • •

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 16, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: Liliane Drago, MA, CASAC Master Counselor, MAC, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation

Registration Deadline: May 9, 2024

 • • • • • •

Suicide Assessment and Intervention (3 hours)

This presentation will cover risk and protective factors as well as a four-step process in the identification and responding to suicidality.

  • Date: May 23, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation

Registration Deadline: May 14, 2024

 • • • • • •

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: May 29, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: Liliane Drago, MA, CASAC Master Counselor, MAC, Director, Outreach Training Institute, Outreach Development Corporation

Registration Deadline: May 22, 2024

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June


Cannabis Legalization in NYS: What Can Clinicians Expect? (3 hours)

As cannabis products become decriminalized and commercialized, new concerns for consumers and clinicians are expected around such issues as product quality, uncertain purity levels, accidental positive drug tests, consumption of improperly regulated growth products, false promotion claims, increased youth access, use of unfamiliar delivery systems, concentrates, variants, increased medical and/or mental health risks, etc. This presentation will attempt to define some of these issues so that clinicians can engage in meaningful discussions with patients around use of cannabis.

  • Date: June 4, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation

Registration Deadline: May 28, 2024

 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: June 10, 2024
  • 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 3, 2024

Back to the TopTo Apply Click Here

 

July


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: July 2, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: TBD

Registration Deadline: June 25, 2024

 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: July 16, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation

Registration Deadline: July 9, 2024

 • • • • • •

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: July 10, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: TBD

Registration Deadline: July 3, 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: July 25, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation

Registration Deadline: July 18, 2024

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September


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 EBP’s in substance use disorder treatment, and what are some of the considerations for integration into existing services.

  • Date: September 11, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation

Registration Deadline: September 4, 2024

 Prescription & Over the Counter Drug Misuse (3 hours)

This review will look at factors which have led to the recent increase in prescription and over-the counter drug use and abuse, some of the more popular choices, special treatment considerations, and community/family responses.

  • Date: September 17, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Trainer: Kevin Wadalavage, MA, LMHC, CASAC, MAC, NCAC II Training & Quality Consultant, Outreach Development Corporation

Registration Deadline: September 10, 2024

 

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