The Substance Abuse Prevention Academy provides comprehensive, interactive training for prevention professionals and others who are working to reduce the effects of substance abuse in their communities. The academy provides an opportunity for prevention professionals and other community leaders to learn how to assist communities in identifying and addressing alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse problems.

Academy courses focus on the five steps of the Strategic Prevention Framework. Additional training includes subjects such as the neurobiology of addiction, meeting facilitation skill building, and the history of substance abuse prevention efforts.

The academy is held twice yearly – once in the spring and once in the fall. A full course is covered in eight days, Monday through Thursday, over two non-consecutive weeks. Optional Friday sessions are available at no additional cost, and the course descriptions for these sessions vary depending on need.

The Strategic Prevention Framework

The Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) is the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's planning model for prevention that can be used in many disciplines, including substance abuse, mental health promotion and other prevention areas. (See the "Strategic Prevention Framework Grant" link in the Related Links box for more information.) The SPF focuses on the collection of data at all steps to support data-informed decision-making, and requires that cultural competency and sustainability be incorporated throughout the process. The five interdependent SPF steps are:

1. Needs, resources and readiness assessment.
2. Capacity building.
3. Comprehensive strategic planning.
4. Implementation of evidence-based strategies (programs, policies, and practices).
5. Evaluation and monitoring.

Who Should Attend

The Substance Abuse Prevention Academy is designed for people who are fairly new to the field of substance abuse prevention, but more experienced prevention professionals will also benefit from attending the academy, particularly those who need an initial introduction or refresher on the SPF. Typical attendees include newly hired regional prevention center staff, early intervention specialists, educators, Juvenile Justice staff, social workers, and community coalition leaders.

Details for the Next Academy

Click the "Brochure" link in the Related Links box to view the current brochure, which includes the dates of the next academy, the daily agenda, and other details, or click the "Registration Form" link to access the online registration form. Use the Contact Information if you have questions.

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