The Introduction to the Prevention Core Competencies for Prevention Professionals is a three-day, in-person training that covers the foundations of substance use prevention science for early and mid-career prevention professionals. By taking this training, you’ll be able to expand your knowledge and skills in the field of prevention and ultimately enhance your ability to make a positive impact in your community.
The course covers a wide variety of topics including prevention science, community organization, needs & resource assessment, evidence-based interventions, and more. The Prevention Core Competencies and accompanying knowledge, skills, and abilities offer professional direction to the prevention field, affecting staff development, career ladders, and pipelines, and providing guidance for training programs and service delivery qualification.
The curriculum uses evidence-based strategies for adult learning and builds upon and complements existing workforce training curricula and resources (e.g., SPF Application for Prevention Success Training (SAPST)).
Course Goals
• Goal 1: Provide an overview of prevention science and its application to practice.
• Goal 2: Strengthen understanding of the knowledge and skills required to do effective planning and implementation of prevention interventions and services
• Goal 3: Raise awareness about training and credentialing needs.
• Goal 4: Encourage the pursuit of further, more specialized training to enhance skills and competencies
Learning Objectives
• Objective 1: Describe the key elements of prevention planning and evaluation.
• Objective 2: Understand the core prevention professional knowledge, skills, and competencies.
• Objective 3: Understand the theories and processes that support prevention interventions and policies.
• Objective 4: Describe evidence-based prevention strategies delivered across settings including the family, school, media, community, or workplace.
Who Should Take this Training?
Community, tribal, jurisdiction, and state-level substance misuse prevention practitioners and allied health partners located in Nevada.
The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) in this training are meant for early and mid-career prevention professionals or for seasoned professionals that need a refresher on the fundamentals of prevention science. As stated previously, this training does not take the place of other national curriculums such as SAPST, but it serves as a good option for those wanting to increase their knowledge and better prepare themselves for more specialized training.
Logistics:
Location
UNR Extension NLV
Classroom A
2280 N McDaniel St
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Dates and Times
The in-person version of the Introduction to the Prevention Core Competencies consists of three
full training days covering six modules.
Day 1: July 21, 2026, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Day 2: July 22, 2026, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Day 3: July 23, 2026, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Registration
This event is free.
Certificates
Participants who complete the entire training will receive a certificate of attendance for 16 contact hours. No partial credit is given for this training. Participants will need to confirm with their certification board to determine if these certification hours are accepted towards their specific certification requirements.
Questions?
For any questions, please contact Britany Wiele (bwiele@casat.org).
This training is supported by SAMHSA of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of Cooperative Agreement # H79SP081015-01 funded by SAMHSA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by SAMHSA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Funding for this activity was made possible in whole or in part by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director’s Office through the Fund for a Resilient Nevada, established in Nevada Revised Statutes 433.712 through 433.744. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in our courses are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence or its funders.