Connections in Prevention

The Connections in Prevention Conference returns to the Marriott Chicago Naperville on October 16-17, 2025. This year's event promises to be our most comprehensive yet, offering valuable learning opportunities for prevention professionals, social workers, counselors, educators, and YOU!.

Pre-Conference Workshops - Don't Miss Out!

On Tuesday, October 15, we're hosting two essential pre-conference workshops: Ethical Practice in Behavioral Health and Motivational Interviewing: Beyond the Basics Training. With limited space available, please register soon to save your seat. These focused sessions provide an excellent foundation for the main conference programming.

Three Inspiring Keynote Presentations

This year's conference features three exceptional keynote speakers who will inspire and educate throughout the event:

Meena Srinivasan - An internationally recognized educational leader whose TEDx talk on "Tenderness" has garnered over 2 million views. As Executive Director of Transformative Educational Leadership, her work in social and emotional learning has impacted over 1.5 million students and 116,000 educators nationwide.

Dr. Jason Kilmer - Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington, Dr. Kilmer is a leading researcher in substance use prevention among college students. He has worked with over 150 campuses nationwide and is the 2025 recipient of NASPA's George D. Kuh Award for Outstanding Contribution to Literature and Research.

Radiance Basden - A Wellness Expert and Hall of Fame Runner who specializes in breathwork, mindfulness, and holistic healing. Following her transformative global sabbatical, Radiance now advocates for stress reduction and mental resilience, helping individuals and organizations build healthier, more resilient cultures.

Remarkable Workshops

The conference features over 20 specialized workshops covering critical topics across the prevention spectrum. Sessions include "Building Youth Leaders from the Ground Up," "Addressing Intoxicating Derived Cannabis in Communities," "Breaking the Silence: Unveiling the Suicide Crisis in Chicago's Black Community," and "From Voice to Vision: Partnering with Youth as Community Changemakers." Other workshops explore trauma-informed care, policy advocacy, digital marketing for prevention, and evidence-based strategies for addressing substance use and mental health challenges.

Flexible Attendance Options

Whether you prefer in-person networking or virtual convenience, we've got you covered. The conference offers both attendance formats at the same registration fee of $400 - no price difference between virtual and in-person participation! Virtual attendance is limited to 100 participants, so secure your spot early.

CEU Credits Available

In-person attendees can earn CEU credits for the conference sessions they attend. We anticipate credits for the following certifications: CADC, CRADC, CSADC, CAADC, CPS, CPSP, PCGC, CCJP, CAAP, CRSS, CPRS, CFPP, CVSS, CODP I/II, MAATP, and RDDP.

Registration closes October 3, 2025. Groups of five or more receive a $25 per registration discount. Don't wait - register today!