Announcements

The next learning community meeting (LCM) will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 9 a.m. to noon. The May LCM will provide important statewide updates as we prepare for the next biennium and an opportunity to engage in Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative (CPWI) coalition contract negotiations. Please ensure CPWI coordinators, contract contact, and any other key staff are in attendance. Registration information is posted on The Athena Forum training calendar. If you have any questions,… read more

Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) has just launched an update to the WA Tribal Opioid Solutions campaign, now titled For Our Lives, to support native serving organizations working in prevention and treatment in Washington State. The campaign includes new resources about fentanyl that were informed by deep collaboration with native individuals and native serving organizations, as well as tribal prevention and treatment partners across the state.

The campaign includes a toolkit of… read more

The Cannabis Research and Education Program (CERP) held a Lunch and Learn on April 20, titled “Addressing the Risks of High-THC Cannabis: The Public Health & Legislative Saga.” This presentation shares some of the findings from Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI) CERP’s High THC Policy: Exploring Policy Solutions to Address Public Health Challenges of High THC Products report to legislature, completed in partnership with Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA). It also… read more

Since 1949, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM). One in every five individuals will experience a mental health crisis in their lifetime. Many will not seek help due to stigma that often surrounds mental illness. Together, we can end stigma and create a culture of acceptance and inclusion. A variety of resources are included below for community members and providers to use and promote during this month and beyond:

Please find the 2021 Washington State Prevention Providers Workforce Assessment Survey results. The Implementation of workforce survey goes to all prevention providers (state, local, county, school, cbo) and was completed in partnership with the University of Washington's SDRG. The four large statewide workforce development surveys conducted in 1998, 2003, 2016 and most recently in 2021 have allowed DBHR to measure the changing needs within the workforce over the last 18 years. Results from… read more

Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) has just launched an update to the WA Tribal Opioid Solutions campaign to include information and resources about fentanyl overdose prevention, treatment and recovery. The campaign, now titled For Our Lives, is a communications campaign intended to support educational efforts around opioid misuse prevention, treatment and harm reduction for native communities in Washington State. All of the campaign materials were shaped and informed by deep… read more

Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), in partnership with Cascade Community Healthcare, will be providing three, FREE youth mental health first aid trainings this spring for Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative (CPWI) coordinators and community members!

The first training will be held on April 28, 2023, in hybrid format in Centralia, WA, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m rescheduled, date TBD. Each training is limited to 20 participants, so don’t wait to register! In order to… read more

/sites/default/files/public/2024_px_awards_of_excellence_overview_final.pdfThe 2024 Prevention Awards of Excellence are an opportunity to recognize individuals and organizations for their dedication and contributions to the Prevention field.

Please take the time to nominate a colleague, young person, program or organization in the following award categories:

Dear Tribal Leaders,

I am sharing the attached Dear Tribal Leader Letter with you regarding the Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) and an opportunity to attend a tribal-specific informational meeting on April 25, about the survey and tribal school and youth participation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the principal investigator for the Healthy Youth Survey, Maayan Simckes, at Healthy.Youth@doh.wa.gov.

National Drug Take Back Day is coming up on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Local communities across the state and nation will be partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) to host awareness events to educate the public on safe medication return and provide an opportunity for community members to dispose of leftover or expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs freely, safely, and conveniently. In addition, vape pens and other e-cigarette devices with batteries removed can be… read more