MSPI Links:
MSPI Main Page | Technical Assistance (TA) Request Form
April 3, 2013
12noon – 1pm Central
Presented by: Anne Helene Skinstad, PhD, director of the National American Indian & Alaska Native ATTC
Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6921851556207329792
Please see attached PDF for further details
April 17, 2013
12noon – 1:30pm Central
Presented by: Denise Casillas, MA, QMHP, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3902742158658309888
Please see attached PDF for further details
As many of you are aware, the Indian Health Service (IHS) Annual Behavioral Health Conference, which includes the Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI) Annual Meeting, and the Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative (DVPI) Annual Meeting, has been cancelled this year in an effort to promote efficient and effective spending. In November 2011, the President signed the Executive Order 13589 “Promoting Efficient Spending” which directs federal agencies to reduce costs in a variety of administrative categories, including travel and expenditures on conferences. The purpose is to ensure that the Federal Government acts as a careful steward of taxpayer dollars and uses federal funds for purposes that are appropriate, cost effective, and important to the core mission of each agency.
We understand that the Annual Behavioral Health Conference has proven to be an important venue for Indian Country to receive critical information and trainings relating to behavioral health. Although we will not be providing a national conference this year, the IHS Division of Behavioral Health (DBH) remains committed to providing opportunities to further strengthen, support, and promote wellness in Indian Country.
At present, we are exploring alternative virtual webinars and trainings for delivering key and critical behavioral health information. We also hope in the near future to offer continuing education units (CEUs) for the MSPI brown bag webinars and online trainings.
It is important for all funding recipients, especially IHS sites, to understand that these reductions in travel and conference expenditures are likely to continue for some time and will require careful planning and action to determine the best use of federal resources. Some recommended ways to reduce costs are to attend regional or local conferences rather than national conferences, utilize technology to host and attend trainings, utilize federal meeting space, and bring trainers to your site. MSPI programs may also consider contacting your IHS Area Behavioral Health Consultant for local and regional training and conference opportunities. The IHS MSPI sites should review the department policy on efficient spending: www.hhs.gov/asfr/ogapa/acquisition/effspendpol_memo.html
In order to address the unobligated MSPI annual conference line item in your budgets, please identify alternative conference or training opportunities. This conference or training may be national, regional, or local. The conference or training must be related to the goals and objectives of the MSPI and your scope of work, and fall within the program/budget year of September 1, 2012-August 31, 2013. A budget modification is not needed for this revision.
Below are some upcoming conferences/trainings you may want to consider:
Virtual Trainings/Webinars:For those of you who may have missed the progress report webinar, you can access the recording at: http://mspiportal.com/node/2633
The Tribal Law and Policy invites interested applicants to register for a webinar that will provide guidance and resources concerning current Justice Department funding opportunities. While reference information will be provided concerning other potential wellness court funding opportunities, the primary focus of this webinar will be how CTAS purpose area #3 funding (BJA Tribal Court Assistance Program and Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Program) could assist with funding Tribal Healing to Wellness Courts. Representatives from the applicable Justice Department grant-making agencies will also be available to answer questions that you may have concerning the application process.
http://www.tribal-institute.org
The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD) is hosting a webinar series, Preventing Underage Drinking, this month. The first presentation is on January 30, 2013, from 2–3 pm (EST). This first webinar in the series will provide an overview of the issue and of the series. It will begin with introductions from Dr. Benjamin, Surgeon General of the United States, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and ICCPUD Chair, Administrator Hyde. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Acting Director Warren will then provide an overview of the nature and extent of the problem, and Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Director Harding will discuss the "shape of the solution." Following their presentations, Director Harding and Acting Director Warren will engage with participants in a live question-and-answer period.
CLICK HERE to find more information and register for the webinar.
To view the article, click here
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) invites high school and under graduate students to submit applications for the 2013 Summer Research Program. Under this program students underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences are paired with NIDA funded scientists at research institutions across the United States for 8-10 weeks during the summer to work in the field of substance abuse and addiction research. Internships may involve a variety of experiences including laboratory experiments, data collection, data analysis, patient interviews, library research and literature reviews. Student interns receive a stipend, and if necessary and eligible, provisions for travel and housing expenses.
Complete program information, including the application form, required student qualifications, research site locations and research project descriptions are available at: www.drugabuse.gov/pdf/sposummer.pdf. The deadline to submit applications for the 2013 program is February 15, 2013.
For more information, contact Dr. Albert Avila at aavila@nida.nih.gov.
This publication offers tools, resources, and information on preventing and addressing issues of alcohol and drug abuse in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
View Winter 2013 Newsletter (PDF)
Blake Harper, MPH
Public Health Program Manager
Carolyn Hornbuckle, J.D.
Public Health Communications and Program Manager
Back to top