ABHPC Prevention Pathways Monthly Bulletin for July 2023

Introducing Advance Behavioral Health Prevention California (ABHPC)

Welcome to ABHPC! With the sunsetting of the Community Prevention Initiative (CPI) on June 30, 2023, ABHPC is the new and innovative training and technical assistance (TTA) program for behavioral health prevention in California. We look forward to connecting through training events, professional development opportunities, and the advancement of health equity approaches in primary prevention.

As part of the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Big 5 by 2025 initiative, ABHPC will focus on behavioral health prevention using evidence-based strategies and best practices in primary prevention, as well as utilize an approach that centers the social drivers of health (SDOH) and a health equity lens.

Keep an eye out for additional information and TTA opportunities under ABHPC, including virtual and in person training events, workforce mentorship and sustainability opportunities, implementation support for the forthcoming California Behavioral Health Prevention Plan, and more!

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Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Integrated Care Conference

DHCS is hosting the annual SUD Integrated Care Conference from August 15-17, 2023, in Long Beach, CA. This exciting opportunity offers preventionists the opportunity to join treatment, recovery, and other behavioral health professionals from across the workforce to learn about SUD emerging issues, trends, and programs. Conference goals include:

1. Showcase SUD service delivery systems that advance the goals of California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal.
2. Focus on community change and solutions that address the opioid epidemic.
3. Highlight promising, evidence-based and community-defined evidence practices.
4. Provide training opportunities.
5. Support workforce development.

Interested in attending? Click here to register for the 2023 DHCS SUD Integrated Care Conference.

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California Primary Prevention Data System: ECCO Listening Sessions for Demographic Variable Data Collection

All California counties and primary prevention programs that receive DHCS funding from the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant must report data from their primary prevention activities. Under the Big 5 by 2025, DHCS is introducing the ECCO System for the improved collection of statewide primary prevention data.

As a part of this effort, primary prevention providers throughout California have expressed a need for the enhanced collection of demographic data variables, specifically pertaining to sexual orientation/gender identity (SOGI) data for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, two-spirit, etc. (LGBTQ2S+) communities as well as equitable collection practices for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) data. To meet this need, ABHPC will be hosting listening sessions and workshops to gather additional information and community provider needs related to equitable data collection practices.

General Listening Sessions

To participate in this space, two general listening session opportunities have been scheduled. These repeated sessions will cover the same high-level topics about the new data system and the collection of demographic variable information:

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Affinity Spaces

Additionally, affinity spaces are available to discuss SOGI-specific and BIPOC-specific data collection needs. These opportunities will be hosted and facilitated by members of each respective community group. We ask that the spaces are attended by those who self-identify as part of these communities and/or who specifically support the advancement of equitable data collection practices/dismantling data discrimination systems for these communities.

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It is important that all feel welcome and comfortable in sharing their thoughts!

In lieu of attending these events, please contact Ruth Santos (rsantos@cars-rp.org) or Lizzie Cayden (ecayden@cars-rp.org) if you would like to schedule a time to offer individual feedback.