The Merger of Health and Human Services: The Ultimate Collaboration

On July 1, 2022 the Utah Department of Health and the Utah Division of Human Services will officially merge to become the consolidated Utah Department of Health and Human Services. This presentation will provide you insight to this change and its accompanying processes and organization plan. Learn how both agencies are working to share language and strengthen partnerships for optimal collaboration at the State and local levels.

Doug Thomas

Doug Thomas is the Director of the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health in the Department of Human Services and has been working in the mental health and substance misuse field in prevention, treatment and recovery support services for over 26 years. He is passionate about prevention and early intervention to strengthen individuals, families and communities.

Janae Duncan

Janae currently serves as the Director for the Division of Disease Control and Prevention at the Utah Department of Health and has been working in public health for over 18 years. Most of her experience has been focused on prevention and health promotion. She is passionate about working across programs and bringing partners together to address social determinants health.

Craig PoVey

Craig PoVey M.S.W. works for the State of Utah, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, where he is a Prevention Administrator. His broad understanding of prevention science and experience in prevention practice has landed him on several advisory committees including the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention’s National Prevention Advisory Council, Guest Member of the Society for Prevention Research Board, CADCA’s Coalition Advisory Committee, and the Center for Prevention Implementation Methodology. Craig served as the President of the National Prevention Network and served on the NPN Board for 14 years. He is the Past-Chair of the Utah Prevention Advisory Committee. In his early career he was a mental health and substance abuse therapist for adolescents.

Collective Impact, Community Engagement, and Racial Justice in Prevention

Hear how one small rural coalition has succeeded in substantially reducing youth substance use using a Collective Impact approach, and how they are now working to center community engagement and racial justice in their work.

Kat Allen

Kat Allen has served as the Coalition Coordinator for the Communities That Care Coalition since August of 2004. Under Kat’s 17 years of leadership, the Communities That Care Coalition has seen youth substance use drop dramatically, far exceeding all of the goals the Coalition initially set for itself. The coalition has worked successfully with local school districts and community partners to sustainably implement multiple evidence-based prevention programs. The Coalition has received state and national awards for its success, has been featured in multiple articles in Stanford Social Innovation Review, and Kat has spoken about the coalition’s work at congressional briefings and at the White House. They are now working on upping their game in increasing grassroots engagement and addressing racial justice.

Overview of the Utah Suicide Prevention Plan 2022-2026: Guidance for State and Community Approaches

Suicide is a leading cause of death in Utah, and each year we lose too many family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers to suicide; more than breast cancer, motor vehicle crashes, homicide, and many chronic physical health problems. We know that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover from suicidal thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Every five years, the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition releases an updated plan to reduce suicide ideation, attempts, and deaths in Utah. The coming five years marks the third edition of the Utah Suicide Prevention Plan. The new edition of the state plan includes recommendations related to shared risk and protective factors, strengthening economic supports, and health equity, diversity, and inclusion. This session will review the 2022-2026 Utah Suicide Prevention Plan, and provide insights for communities moving forward.

Allison Foust

Allison Foust, MHA, CHES, serves as the Suicide Prevention Administrator at the Utah Department of Human Services (DHS) in the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH). Allison provides oversight for the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Utah Suicide Prevention State Plan. In 2020, Allison assisted in the launch of Utah’s first statewide suicide prevention campaign- Live On Utah.

Allison continuously works to guide and support community leaders and organizations by engaging them in evidence-based strategies. Allison is a Certified Health Education Specialist and holds a Master’s degree in Health Administration from Weber State University.

The Social and Biological Aspects of Adolescent Development: Implications for Substance Use Prevention

Participants will review major social and biological markers of adolescent development and implications for ways to approach substance use prevention/intervention. Specific objectives: 1) review prevalence rates for adolescent substance use in Utah including the most used substances, 2) review social and biological (brain development) milestones for adolescents, and 3) review relation between developmental milestones and prevention/intervention of substance use.

Dr. Jason Burrow-Sánchez

Dr. Jason Burrow-Sánchez is a Professor of Counseling Psychology and the Chair of the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Utah. He is also the Director of the Mountain Plains Region 8 Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at the University of Utah. His research interests include the prevention and treatment of substance use for adolescents in school and community settings. His research has been funded at the local, state, and national levels and has published numerous articles, chapters and books. He is also licensed psychologist in the State of Utah.

Happy Hacks for Becoming Better after the Bitter

Research shows 2020 was one of the unhappiest years on record. Sadly, science also shows negativity sticks in our brains like velcro, while positivity slips away like soap. While we can’t always control our circumstances, Dr. Dave will share some science-backed happy hacks for boosting positivity and productivity.

Dr. David Schramm

Known as “Dr. Dave” on campus and across the country, Dave Schramm is an associate professor and family life extension specialist at Utah State University in the department of Human Development and Family Studies. After graduating with his Ph.D. from Auburn University, he worked as a professor at the University of Missouri for nine years. Shortly after arriving at USU in 2016, he was appointed by Governor Herbert to serve on Utah’s Commission on Marriage, and he now serves as the faculty director of the Commission. He appears on television monthly on Fox 13’s “The Place” and he shares tips and videos on social media to help individuals, parents, and couples thrive in their life journeys. From British Columbia to Beijing, China, and from St. Louis to San Diego, Dr. Dave has given over 500 presentations, classes, and workshops to a variety of audiences, including the United Nations and a TEDx talk in Florida. He married his high school sweetheart Jamie, they have four children, he loves peanut M&Ms, and the Schramm fam lives in North Logan, Utah.

Learn the Steps to Create a Compelling Presentation

We use presentations as one of our primary strategies to share content knowledge, build skills, ignite calls to action and affect culture change. Many of us have attempted to create compelling presentations, however most of us never receive any formal training in presentation design - despite all we expect presentations to do for us. Our experience with data is similar, and in spite of all of the time we invest in creating presentations and displaying data our efforts are not impactful. This session will focus on the benefits of applying a strategic approach to presentations and communicating quantitative and qualitative data.

After this session participants will be able to:

• Describe how presentations impact broader coalition goals
• Learn strategies for increasing audience engagement
• Learn strategies for communicating about data

Jamie Comstock & Robin Carr

Jamie Comstock and Robin Carr founded Info Inspired in 2014, after many years of designing and giving presentations with no formal training in this area, and watching their public health colleagues struggle with the same skills gap. Both are certified prevention specialists with 30 years’ combined experience in the field.

They’ve spent the last several years researching and testing ways to not only capture and hold an audience’s attention, but to also inspire audiences. They’ve spent countless hours refining the presentation planning process, identifying free resources, and learning how to maximize the tools they already had. It’s also important to know that they aren’t graphic designers, artists, or especially tech savvy. Everything they do, you can do too.

They’ve presented at the Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America’s Leadership Forum, the Maine Public Health Association Annual Meeting, the New England Institute of Addiction Studies, the New England School of Best Practices, and provided training and technical assistance to non-profit organizations throughout New England and across the country. They have been featured on the Organizing for Change podcast and have an on-demand webinar available through the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center.

Trauma Informed Prevention

This presentation will provide an overview of the Trauma-Informed Approach and how it can be implemented in prevention programs, systems and communities. It will cover the definition of trauma and how it impacts people differently. It will also address what works and doesn’t work in prevention through the use of a trauma-informed lens.

This presentation will address specific ideas on what people can do to implement a trauma informed approach and mindset. It will also include practical application tips as well. A key takeaway for this presentation will be on the importance of implementing strong trauma informed practices that will enhance prevention-work relationships, and thus strengthen overall prevention efforts and sustainability.

Rebecca King

Becky King, LCSW, has worked in the field of substance use disorder and mental health for the past twenty seven years. She has been the Program Administrator for the Utah State Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health providing oversight for statewide women, youth and family programs since 2007. Throughout her career, Ms. King has provided clinical supervision for social work interns and individuals working toward their clinical licensure. Ms. King also provides therapy for BetterHelp, quality assurance for AFI Advanced Care Home Health and Hospice. She has her own consulting practice - Becky King Consulting, where she provides behavioral health consultation, leadership coaching and clinical supervision.

Ms. King began her career at Valley Mental Health in 1994, where she worked as a case manager while attending the University of Utah, Graduate School of Social Work. Her practicum placements provided her with experience with family therapy, sexual abuse counseling for children and correctional group work, after which she worked as a therapist at Valley Mental Health providing mental health and substance use disorders treatment to individuals with serious and persistent mental illnesses. After seven years at Valley Mental Health, she moved on to Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Services in 2000 where worked as a Drug Court Therapist, Felony and Misdemeanor Drug Court Case Management Supervisor then as the Clinical Director. As the Clinical Director, Ms. King provided oversight for the Substance Abuse Treatment Program and supervised a team of fifteen licensed therapists, social work students and interns. She has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1999.

Becky King has a Bachelor of Music from Brigham Young University (1991); an Associate of Science in Ethnic Minority Health and Human Services (1994); and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Utah (1997).

The Soul of Prevention: Engaging in the Science of the Positive

The Soul of our prevention and intervention work is about bringing our whole selves into each endeavor. This is how we connect, collaborate and celebrate our work together. The Science of the Positive Framework provides powerful ways to enhance our coalition work through the Cycle of Transformation that moves us through four domains of SPIRIT-SCIENCE-ACTION-RETURN. All efforts begin with Spirit first, then we explore data through Science, to lead Action and best practices for positive Returns. In this opening keynote, Dr. Linkenbach will present core concepts of the Science of the Positive as he guides participants through interactive discussions as a way to restore our passion for the vital work that we all do.

Jeff Linkenbach

As the Director & Research Scientist at The Montana Institute, Dr. Jeff Linkenbach has developed national award-winning programs that change community norms. Jeff holds a doctorate of education with a focus on community education, a master’s degree in counseling and has over 30 years of experience in various fields of public health leadership. He is a co-investigator of the HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) study and is on staff at the HOPE Center at Tufts School of Medicine, and a past Fellow, at the Mansfield Academy for Global Leadership, at The University of Montana. Jeff created the National Conference on The Social Norms Approach to Prevention in 1998 in Big Sky, Montana which has since transformed into the renowned Montana Summer Institutes on Positive Community Norms. Jeff also founded the Center for Health & Safety Culture at the Western Transportation Institute, and is the developer of the Science of the Positive and Positive Community Norms frameworks, which have been utilized by tribal, federal, state and local organizations to achieve positive change and transformation around issues such as child maltreatment, substance abuse, suicide and traffic safety. Jeff is known for translating social norms science into practical applications and training others in how to implement effective norms interventions across North America. He has been leading positive community norms implementation with Minnesota communities through the state of Minnesota for the past fifteen years, which has resulted in significant reductions in teen alcohol and other substance abuse. Jeff was a member of the Center for Disease Control & Prevention’s Knowledge-to-Action (K2A) think tank on Essentials for Childhood and was commissioned by the CDC to write a supplemental paper on Promoting Positive Community Norms. He has served as a consultant and trainer for numerous prestigious organizations such as the U.S. White House (Office of National Drug Control Policy), the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, The Canadian Agriculture Safety Association, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Harvard University, The American Medical Association, The National Football League and many others.

The Landscape of Vaping Prevention 2021

The electronic delivery of nicotine, cannabis, flavorings, chemicals and other substances has been a consistent concern among prevention professionals since they have emerged in the consumer marketplace. This presentation will orient you to how public health and prevention workers are tackling this issue through education, environmental strategy, and funding streams to collaborate and mobilize for optimal prevention results.

Julie Christie

Julie earned an undergraduate degree in Health Promotion and Education and a Master of Public Health, both from the University of Utah. She is also a Master Certified Health Education Specialist. She has worked for the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program at the Utah Department of Health for five years. She is a Local Health Department Liaison and Prevention Specialist and coordinates the statewide Youth Advocacy Coalition.

Mercedes Rodriguez

Mercedes Rodriguez currently works for the Utah Department of Health under the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program as the Youth Prevention Coordinator and oversees the Youth Electronic Cigarettes, Marijuana, and Other Drugs Prevention Program. Mercedes has worked in prevention for the last 4 years. She started her work in prevention when she joined the Evidence2Success Kearns Community Coalition as their Coordinator in 2018. Mercedes has a master’s degree in Public Health from Westminster College and has extensive work experience in Public Health.

Kye Norfeldt

Kye Nordfelt is the Director of Health Promotions at the Southwest Utah Public Health Department. Kye has worked in public health for over a decade on topics ranging from promoting active transportation to discouraging teen drug use. Kye completed his Masters of Public Administration from Brigham Young University. Kye resides in St. George with his wife, 5 children and dog; he Kye is an avid biker - enjoying his daily bike commute to work.

Logan Reid

Logan is a licensed prevention specialist, and the Director of Prevention for the Southwest Behavioral Health Center. He started in prevention as the president of a college prevention club while attending Dixie State University, and has worked as a Program Supervisor in Youth Corrections. His undergraduate degrees are in Criminal Justice & Psychology, and he has graduate degrees in Sociology & Mental Health & Wellness. Logan is an Executive Adviser to the Utah Prevention Coalition Association and emeritus Chair of the Utah Prevention Network, and a graduate of the National Coalition Academy. He also teaches sociology at Dixie State University.

Preventing Substance Use Disorders by Creating Nurturing Environments

Marijuana use among adolescents is a risk factor for the development of substance use disorders. The prevention of this and other substance use disorders requires that we prevent the social and psychological conditions that contribute to substance use and substance use disorders. I will present an overview of the psychological conditions that make substance use disorders more likely and the social conditions that contribute to both psychological problems and substance use. The evidence shows that a narrow focus on preventing substance use will have limited benefit if we do not prevent psychological and behavioral problems and the social conditions that influence problem development. I will then review evidence on the importance of a comprehensive, integrated approach to drug use prevention. In essence, we need to create environments that nurture child and adolescent wellbeing.

Anthony Biglan

Dr. Biglan has been conducting research on the development and prevention of child and adolescent problem behavior for the past 40 years. His work has included studies of the risk and protective factors associated with tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use; high-risk sexual behavior; and anti-social behavior. He has conducted numerous experimental evaluations of interventions to prevent tobacco use, through both school-based programs and community-wide interventions. He has also performed evaluations of interventions to prevent high-risk sexual behavior, antisocial behavior, and reading failure. His studies have included evaluations of community interventions to prevent multiple problems. He has also helped to develop behavior influence kernels, which are used extensively in the PAX Good Behavior Game, which he has helped to implement and evaluate. His book, The Nurture Effect: How the Science of Human Behavior Can Improve Our Lives and Our World, won him an award from the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis.

2020 SHARP Data Preview

Utah Youth -- Then and Now: How new SHARP Survey data help to tell the story of how our kids have faired during the Pandemic:

This workshop will present new data gathered through the Spring 2021 Student Health And Risk Prevention (SHARP) Survey, administered to 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th-grade students across the State of Utah. We'll discuss how the Pandemic impacted participation and what the data (from over 70,000 students) tell us about the current state of Utah Youth in the areas of substance use, risk and protective factors, mental health, school climate, and more. We'll also discuss best practices for reading, analyzing, and using your 2021 SHARP data. There's something for everyone in this workshop, whether you be a data expert or novice!

Mary Johnstun

Mary Johnstun has been working as a research project manager for over 20 years. She has managed the Utah SHARP Survey since 2003 and has managed 80 state-level projects in Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Nebraska. Mary received her M.A. degree from Kansas State University in 2002 (GO Wildcats).

Managing Prevention Efforts With A "Baker's Dozen": Learning from Prevention Histories

Community leaders are essential for orchestrating positive and lasting change with drug and alcohol issues. While challenges and obstacles often seem overwhelming, progress has been made; however, much more remains to be done. This session is anchored by a “Baker’s Dozen” of tips that will help further ground, inspire, and even reorient participants. Drawing upon the experience and wisdom of many long-term prevention advocates, this session provides examples, direction, and hope. Participants will be engaged and emerge with enhanced direction, new opportunities, confidence, and inspiration for impact.

Dr. David Anderson

David Anderson, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus of Education and Human Development at George Mason University, where he worked for 28 years; he served as Professor and Director of the Center for the Advancement of Public Health. Prior to that, he served as a college administrator at The Ohio State University, Radford University and Ohio University. He has managed hundreds of national state and local projects while teaching graduate and undergraduate classes. An active researcher and writer, he has decades-long research on college drug and alcohol issues, high school youth and community efforts. The focus of his work is upon practical applications for youth, young adults, and leaders at the campus, community, state and national level, and he continues with training, speaking and research. His two most recent books are Leading Campus Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention: Grounded Approaches for Student Impact (co-authored with Thomas Hall; NASPA, 2021) and Leadership in Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention: Insights from Long-Term Advocates (Routledge, 2020). Other recent books include Health and Safety Communication: A Practical Guide Forward (2017), Wellness Issues for Higher Education (2015) and Further Wellness Issues for Higher Education (2016). He orchestrates the College Alcohol Survey, a triennial survey on campus strategies addressing drug and alcohol misuse, done since 1979 through 2021. He serves on the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention’s National Advisory Council and the American College Health Association’s COVID-19 Task Force. He is active as a community leader in Celebration, Florida, where he serves as a Director with the Celebration Residential Owners Association.