
The SBIRT Model: Assessing Alcohol and Substance Use Among LGBTQ+ Populations
The SBIRT Model: Assessing Alcohol and Substance Use Among LGBTQ+ Populations
LGBTQ+ individuals are at heightened risk for alcohol and substance use across the lifespan as a result of myriad stressors which can result in a variety of health and mental health concerns. While the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model has been widely used among adults as a universal screening assessment for alcohol and/or substance use, there is a growing body of literature which examines its use among youth, older adults, and special populations (e.g., LGBTQ+). The SBIRT model includes a screening process to assess for risk of alcohol and/or substance use disorders via validated tools, followed by a brief intervention based on the tenets of motivational interviewing, which may or may not result in the need for a referral to care.
This 50 minute presentation will begin with some background on current statistics and trends related to alcohol and substance use among various segments of the LGBTQ+ community, followed by an introduction to SBIRT and each stage of the model, and conclude with a discussion about the impact of using universal screening tools and methods across a variety of practice settings.
The Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC) is partnering with NORC, at the University of Chicago and the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA) to bring a series of virtual events examining special topics for working with adolescents and transitional age youth that relate to substance use and mental health conditions.
Certificate of Completion Available

Integrating Grief and Loss Conversations into the SBIRT Model
Integrating Grief and Loss Conversations into the SBIRT Model
According to the Dougy Center: The National Center for Grieving Children and Families, individuals cope with losses in different ways; therefore, there is no right or wrong way to grieve. In adolescents and young adults, feelings of loss and grief can develop from many things beyond a loved one's physical death, such as loss of developmental experiences or milestones. This 1.5 hour webinar will explore the various definitions and components of grief and loss and how it can manifest in adolescents and young adults. Using the SBIRT model, participants will learn to identify warning signs and screen for complicated grief in adolescents and young adults, conduct a brief intervention, and link them to appropriate resources for further treatment, including substance use and depression. The presenter will also outline protective and mitigating factors to help adolescents and young adults cope with grief and loss.
Learning Objectives:
- Define the various components of grief and loss and how it affects adolescents and young adults from a physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and spiritual perspective;
- Explore ambiguous, stigmatized, traumatic losses, and anticipatory, disenfranchised, and complicated grief;
- Recognize the importance of screening for loss with their adolescent and young adult clients; and
- Identify ways to screen, conduct brief interventions, and refer high-risk individuals to appropriate services.
The Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC) is partnering with NORC, at the University of Chicago and the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA) to bring a series of virtual events examining special topics for working with adolescents and transitional age youth that relate to substance use and mental health conditions.
Certificate of Completion Available

Substance Use in Adolescents and Transitional Age Youth: Justice Involvement and Homelessness
Substance Use in Adolescents and Transitional Age Youth: Justice Involvement and Homelessness
Unaccompanied homeless youth and young adults (YYA) present unique clinical and engagement challenges due to the factors that contributed to their homelessness, their lack of family support, and their many, unmet basic needs. In this session, we will discuss the epidemiology of YYA homelessness, which disproportionately represents LGTBQ populations, parenting/pregnant young adults, and systems involved YYA (foster care, DYS), all compounded by high rates of substance use and profound mental health needs. This session will offer a low-barrier model of care that is specifically tailored to the needs of unaccompanied homeless youth, and includes drop-in appointments, emphasis on a risk mitigation philosophy, and close collaboration with outreach and shelter-based community partners. By recognizing the unique needs of YYA experiencing homelessness, participants in this 1 hour session will be better able to serve a highly marginalized population
Hispanic/Latinos, Indigenous Americans, and African Americans, including those who identify as LGBTQ, have disabilities, and/or are English Language Learners, are disproportionately represented within the Juvenile justice system. The National Education Association identifies institutional racism and discriminatory practices like the school-to-prison pipeline as direct forms of perpetuating the funneling of students of color out of school and on a pathway to the juvenile correction system. Justice-involved youth face unique challenge of transitioning from correctional facility to community while also transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. They are deprived of meaningful opportunities for education, future employment, and civic engagement, which are essential milestones to a successful transition to adulthood. As medical providers caring for justice-involved youth, we must increase our awareness about the ongoing disparate health outcomes and the ways in which we can medically intervene, advocate, and ensure a successful adult life trajectory.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the clinical needs of youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.
- Describe the age-appropriate, trauma-informed counseling and treatment approaches around issues like high risk sexual behaviors and substance use.
- Discuss how to tailor clinical services to this unique population and learn about a low-barrier model of care
- Learners will be able to identify unique challenges of transition age youth with juvenile justice involvement.
- Learners will be able to propose medical interventions for justice involved youth and therefore decrease their risk of further involvement in the juvenile justice system.
The Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC) is partnering with NORC, at the University of Chicago and the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA) to bring a series of virtual events examining special topics for working with adolescents and transitional age youth that relate to substance use and mental health conditions.
Certificate of Completion Available

Substance Use Interventions for Adolescents and Transitional Age Youth
Substance Use Interventions for Adolescents and Transitional Age Youth
In this 1 hour webinar, participants will learn an approach to conduct proper screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment for young adults (ages 18-25) at risk for substance use disorders. They will then hear about key behavioral and pharmacologic treatments for youth with substance use disorders including motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy, contingency management and medications for alcohol and opioid use disorders. The webinar will conclude with a discussion on the essential role of families and communities in supporting young adults with substance use disorder including a description of the community reinforcement and family training (CRAFT) approach.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the steps involved in conducting screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT);
- Review key behavioral and medication treatment for young adults with substance use disorders; and
- Discuss the role of family and community support in caring for young adults with substance use disorders.
The Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC) is partnering with NORC, at the University of Chicago and the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA) to bring a series of virtual events examining special topics for working with adolescents and transitional age youth that relate to substance use and mental health conditions.
Certificate of Completion Available

Who's Doing What? The Epidemiology of Adolescent Substance Use
Who's Doing What? The Epidemiology of Adolescent Substance Use
This 1 hour webinar will review the epidemiology of adolescent substance. We will discuss the substances most often used by youth, look at trends in youth substance use over time, and discuss the protective role of family and positive social supports.
The Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC) is partnering with NORC, at the University of Chicago and the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA) to bring a series of virtual events examining special topics for working with adolescents and transitional age youth that relate to substance use and mental health conditions.
Certificate of Completion Available

The Impact of Substance Use on the Developing Adolescent Brain
The Impact of Substance Use on the Developing Adolescent Brain
This 45 minute webinar will review developmental neurobiology and the impact of psychoactive substances in general on brain development. We will then discuss the particular impacts of alcohol, THC, and nicotine on the brain and their specific impacts on brain development.
The Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC) is partnering with NORC, at the University of Chicago and the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA) to bring a series of virtual events examining special topics for working with adolescents and transitional age youth that relate to substance use and mental health conditions.
Certificate of Completion Available

Who? What? Where? Why? Clinical Sites for TAY Addiction Treatment
Who? What? Where? Why? Clinical Sites for TAY Addiction Treatment
This 1.5 hour webinar will provide clarification on the differences between adult and adolescent treatment to an inter-professional audience. It will highlight a broad range of evidence-based practices that are effective with adolescents and transition age youth as well as the importance of engaging families within their child’s treatment.
Learning Objectives:
- Outline unique components of youth-specific addiction treatment
- Describe ASAM levels of care and placement criteria for TAY
- Name evidence-based practices that can be used in each level of care
- Propose solutions to common barriers to TAY Addiction treatment
The Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC) is partnering with NORC, at the University of Chicago and the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA) to bring a series of virtual events examining special topics for working with adolescents and transitional age youth that relate to substance use and mental health conditions.
Certificate of Completion Available

Substance Use Disorders: Appreciating the Challenges of Minority Youth
Substance Use Disorders: Appreciating the Challenges of Minority Youth
This 1 hour, 10 minute, webinar discusses the epidemiology of substance use disorders (SUD) and the impact on children and families with special attention to systemic racism as a factor affecting health outcomes. Case studies illustrate health disparities and opportunities for enhancing outcomes in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of adolescents affected by substance use (SU) and SUDs.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the epidemiology of substance use disorders (SUD) and the impact on children and families.
- Discuss racism as a factor affecting health outcomes.
- Discuss health disparities and opportunities for enhancing outcomes in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of adolescents affected by substance use (SU) and SUDs.
The Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC) is partnering with NORC, at the University of Chicago and the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA) to bring a series of virtual events examining special topics for working with adolescents and transitional age youth that relate to substance use and mental health conditions.
Certificate of Completion Available

Digital Mental Health and Addiction Interventions for Adolescents, Young Adults and Families
Digital Mental Health and Addiction Interventions for Adolescents, Young Adults and Families
This 1 hour webinar will review the existing literature on adolescent/emerging adult digital health for prevention and SUD intervention, the mechanisms of action that differ between interventions for adults and young people, ingredients of successful interventions including family and parental engagement, and promising opportunities for the future. Special attention will be paid to interventions that are simple to implement with existing tools. The webinar is designed to help those creating interventions for young people and their families.
Learning Objectives:
- The landscape of digital SUD interventions for young people and families
- Ingredients of successful digital interventions for young people and their families
- Low hanging fruit opportunities for practitioners and researchers
The Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC) is partnering with NORC, at the University of Chicago and the Association for Multidisciplinary Education and Research in Substance use and Addiction (AMERSA) to bring a series of virtual events examining special topics for working with adolescents and transitional age youth that relate to substance use and mental health conditions.
Certificate of Completion Available