Resources: Vocational Training, Education, and Employment

Provides resources for parent training and information centers and community parent resource centers across the U.S. which support families of children with disabilities in effectively participating in their child's education and development. Offers information and training to families, professionals, and other organizations by providing access to a resource library, a directory of parent centers, an online database of experts, webinars, and other resources on a variety of topics, including mental health and trauma-informed care, as well as a Native American resource collection.

Offers technical assistance to state and local agencies and organizations to strengthen justice systems, reduce recidivism, and improve policy and practice to increase equity and access to services for behavioral health, housing, education/employment, victim support, and more.

Offers focused information and guidance for employers seeking to create a mental health-friendly workplace. Features a 4 A's - Awareness, Accommodations, Assistance, and Access - framework to guide organizations in developing their own mental health initiatives, including accommodations and support for employees with substance use disorder (SUD). Provides case studies of successful model programs implemented by a diverse set of companies and organizations; a literature review to better inform employers about workplace mental health issues; and other tools and resources.

Fact sheet detailing a 6-step planning process to help schools and institutions of higher education develop or update emergency operation plans (EOPs) to address overdose and other potential threats and issues resulting from fentanyl and opioid misuse. Discusses the 5 mission areas of preparedness for opioid-related emergencies and the effects of the opioid crisis on school-aged children, young adults, and school safety. Includes links to additional resources and information to aid in the development of school EOPs, and programs and activities to prepare for and respond to an opioid overdose.

Provides technical assistance to help establish and expand recovery housing services and evidence-based treatment and prevention programs in over 100 counties highly impacted by substance use disorder (SUD) in Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho.

Helps veterans achieve success and avoid homelessness following release from incarceration in state or federal prison. Provides outreach and assessment services; referral services to connect veterans to clinical, mental health, and social services, such as job assistance; and short-term case management support.

Supports Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in efforts to increase the number of racial and ethnic minority students entering behavioral health fields, including careers related to the treatment of substance use disorder (SUDs) and co-occurring mental health disorders (COD). Helps students discover and access behavioral health as an area of study and behavioral health career opportunities. Raises awareness of inequities and health disparities among minority and marginalized communities affected by substance use and mental illness.

Offers evidence-based, voluntary programs that provide families with regular, planned home visits from qualified health, social service, and child development professionals. Supports at-risk pregnant people and parents with children up to kindergarten entry with resources to raise physically, socially, and emotionally healthy children. Provides guidance on parenting and health topics, such as breastfeeding, safe sleep practices, injury prevention, nutrition, and childcare solutions. Seeks to improve maternal and child health, prevent child abuse and neglect, encourage positive parenting, and promote child development and school readiness.

Delivers information, resources, technical assistance, and training to K-12 schools and institutions of higher learning to assess school climate, implement evidence-based programs to improve learning conditions, and measure outcomes in 3 core areas: providing a well-rounded education, improving the safety and health of students, and improving the effective use of technology. Offers multiple products, policy guides, toolkits, research, media, online events and training related to issues of substance and opioid misuse for students, families, schools, and communities.

Provides a directory of national, state, and local programs and services to support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration for military service members, veterans, their families, and caregivers. Helps connect individuals to a range of services and resources, including substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery support.

Provides guidance to policymakers, communities, and key stakeholders to develop and implement system- and practice-level changes to reduce opioid overdose deaths. Presents results from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative's HEALing Communities Study. Outlines priority populations and 19 evidence-based interventions to prevent and reduce opioid related overdose deaths. Offers resources on various topics related opioid overdose and highlights model programs, including those serving rural areas.

Offers healthcare professionals evidence-based training, education, and resources to treat patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Provides free medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) training for physicians, physician assistants (PA), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), medical students, and other healthcare professionals. Training is available in on-demand, online, or in-person formats.

Describes the Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) program, which combines residential treatment of substance use disorders with employment services for individuals in Kentucky, with a focus on rural, Appalachian communities with high rates of opioid use. Discusses the program structure, implementation, target populations, and services provided, including medications for opioid use disorder, recovery services, and employment and job training programs. Offers lessons learned and recommendations for implementing similar programs.

Features the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Behavioral Health Career Navigator tool that shares information on educational requirements, obtaining a license or certification for the first time, and licensure or certification renewal for several types of mental health and substance use careers in all 50 states.

Provides information on drug-free programs, drug testing, and other resources and training designed to address illegal substance use by federal employees and in federally regulated industries, such as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NCRC), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). Discusses policies, guidelines, and regulations to address substance misuse in workplaces.