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Authors Posts by Jason Snyder

Jason Snyder

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September is National Recovery Month. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) established National Recovery Month in 1989 to promote evidence-based treatment and recovery practices. It also celebrates the nation’s vibrant recovery community and honors all those who help make recovery possible. In addition, National Recovery Month plays a vital role in fostering understanding and driving positive change in the fields of addiction and mental health.

As part of its celebration of Recovery Month, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is lifting up the voices of people in recovery, their loved ones, and those working in the field. If you are in recovery, love someone who is, or work in the field, you are encouraged to share your story of hope, encouragement, or inspiration. Responses will be featured throughout September — and beyond — on DDAP’s social media channels.

DDAP will officially kick off Recovery Month at 12:00 pm on Saturday, September 6, with “Recovery Out Loud” at City Island in Harrisburg, featuring an afternoon of community, music, and inspiration.

In addition, DDAP and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources have announced their second annual Recovery in Nature sites within Pennsylvania’s state park system. The initiative will run throughout the month of September in conjunction with National Recovery Month. Recovery in Nature is designed to remind Pennsylvanians of the healing power of nature — particularly for individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD) — and encourage all Pennsylvanians to take advantage of trails and waterways throughout the Commonwealth’s state parks.

Lastly, DDAP will close out Recovery Month with “Recovery in Reach,” the Department’s Recovery Month Wellness & Resource Fair — a morning focused on connection and healing. Join DDAP at Soldier’s Grove in Harrisburg for wellness activities, helpful resources, and a celebration of support.

Visit DDAP’s website for a list of Recovery Month events happening across the Commonwealth.

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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced $43 million in new supplemental funding available to State Opioid Response program grantees to expand recovery housing services for young adults, ages 18–24.

This one-year supplemental funding requires grant recipients to develop and/or expand recovery housing services for young adults with opioid or stimulant use disorders. States and territories that accept the supplemental funding will also be able to provide treatment, including family-based treatment, provide dedicated care coordinators to assist in navigating various service sectors, and provide individuals with a range of recovery support services, such as coaching, vocational training, employment support, transportation, childcare, and more.

The current SOR formula will be used to calculate the award amounts for all 50 states.

More information is available on SAMHSA’s website.

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Registration is now open for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) 2025 Statewide Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Conference CIT and Beyond. PCCD, in partnership with the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and Center County CIT, has expanded this year’s conference to a two-day event, which will be held on October 28 – 29, 2025, at the Nittany Lion Inn at State College.

To register, view the agenda, and session descriptions, visit the CIT Conference web page.

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Registration is now open for the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ 2025 Emerging Drug Trends Symposium. This free, one-day event will take place on Tuesday, November 18, from 7:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Penn Harris Hotel & Conference Center, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill, PA, 17011.

Conference attendees will gain a better understanding of:

  • The latest drug use and overdose trends in Pennsylvania;
  • Shifting overdose patterns and drug supply, with emphasis on high-risk populations; and
  • Evidence-based best practices for responding to emerging drug threats.

Registration is required. On-site registration will not be available. A Keystone Login is needed in order to register for the symposium. If you do not have a Keystone Login, select ‘Register’ and enter the requested information, including a personal email address. The box to accept the Terms and Conditions must be selected before selecting the ‘Request a Seat’ button. You will receive an email confirming your registration shortly after submitting your registration request. If there are no more spots available, you will be placed on a waitlist.

If you have a Keystone Login but do not remember your login information or if you need a password reset, you can reach out to the Keystone Login Help Desk at 877-328-0995 or via email.

To receive a Certificate of Participation, attendees must sign in at the check-in table at the start of the day and again during lunch. Certificates will only be issued to those who sign both sheets.

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Close-up of Hands holding pens and making notes at the conference

The Prevention Practitioners Network is hosting an in-person training from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Sunday, September 14, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh to provide clinicians with the first risk assessment and management tool for targeted violence that can be used by mental health professionals working in generalist settings.

Offered in partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital and Eradicate Hate’s Prevention Practitioners Network, the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Strengths, Needs, and Risks: Assessment & Management Tool (T-SAM) offers mental health professionals a collaborative, client-centered approach to assessment and management of risk for both adults and children. An evidence-based, suicide-focused therapeutic framework known as the Collaborative Assessment & Management of Suicidality (CAMS) informed development of the T-SAM.

Harm toward others is a known risk, yet mental health professionals working outside of forensic settings have few, if any, tools they can use to assess and manage violence risk to inform risk assessment and treatment planning.

Boston Children’s Hospital will provide eight continuing education credits for licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers. More information, including registration, is available here.

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The 31st Annual Gaudenzia “Building a Brighter Tomorrow, Generation to Generation” Women and Children’s Conference will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Best Western Premier Central Hotel and Conference Center, 800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA. Registration is scheduled to open by September 2, 2025.

The conference is a collaborative effort with the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services. The focus of the conference is addressing the significant issues around substance use disorder (SUD), women, pregnant women, and families.

Each year, the conference attracts a multi-disciplinary audience of more than 300 SUD treatment professionals, including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, case managers, addictions counselors, and other professionals in the addictions field. The Gaudenzia Women and Children’s Conference is known across the region as the leading educational event for this specific demographic.

The conference flyer provides details for those interested in exhibiting or sponsoring this year’s event.

Contact Jackie Felker for more information.

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Close-up of Hands holding pens and making notes at the conference

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting an in-person workshop “Implementing the Revised 42 CFR Part 8 Regulations in Opioid Treatment Programs,” from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm on Tuesday, August 12 at the Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, PA. Register online by Friday, August 8.

This full-day, in-person workshop will review the revised federal regulations for opioid treatment programs (OTP) and provide practical guidance for implementation. Topics will include:

  • Overview of the 42 CFR Part 8 updates;
  • FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD);
  • Practitioner discretion in care delivery; and
  • Screening, admission, and assessment protocols.

Who should attend: Clinical, counseling, and administrative OTP staff

Continuing education: Eligible participants will receive a certificate for 8 CME/CEU credits (practitioners, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare providers).

If you have any questions, please send them electronically.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) will host its next ASAM technical assistance webinar from 10:00 to 11:00 am on Monday, August 4, titled “The ASAM Criteria: Infrastructure Readiness, Strengthening Alignment, and Bridging Policy with Practice.”

DDAP will walk through strategies for writing policies that promote best practices and support quality infrastructure review. The team will highlight common gaps and approaches to address them and offer practical guidance for developing policies and procedures.

If you are not already receiving calendar invitations for the technical assistance webinars and would like to be added to the invitation list, please email DDAP.

Use the Microsoft Teams meeting information below to connect to the monthly technical assistance webinars:

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 251 094 183 507
Passcode: sM9ZF9Wi
Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)
+1 267-332-8737,,894440996# United States, Philadelphia
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 894 440 996#
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The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is asking providers, individuals with lived experience, and community members to participate in a brief survey on equitable access and cultural humility in treatment and recovery support services. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Equity Coalition (NEPA EC) developed the survey.

Formed in 2023 and supported by DDAP, the NEPA EC is a regional work group committed to improving equity in recovery supports. The coalition meets regularly to identify barriers, elevate community voice, and make recommendations to DDAP that promote inclusive, person-centered care.

The survey is open to anyone — whether currently receiving recovery supports or providing them. Although open to all, responses from those living or working in Northeastern Pennsylvania are especially encouraged. Responses will remain confidential and reviewed in deidentified summary form only. Survey responses are due Friday, August 15.

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The 2025 American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) Conference will be held October 4 – 8 in Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. The 2025 conference theme is “The Evolving Field of Opioid Treatment.”

AATOD is seeking opioid treatment program (OTP) providers, OTP patients, and friends of the field to serve as volunteers for the conference. Benefits of volunteering include discounted full conference rates or free individual days. More information about volunteering can be found on the AATOD Conference website.

The aim of the AATOD conference is to educate and promote acceptance and integration of medication-assisted treatment options by patients, families, clinicians, the medical system, judicial systems, government, policymakers, social service administrations, and the general public. Presenters will disseminate innovative, evidence-based initiatives and treatment techniques to better serve patients and providers, improve program development and administration, promote integration across the continuum of care, and enhance patient outcomes to assist communities in developing an effective response to this crisis.

The Pennsylvania Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (PATOD), the state chapter of AATOD, is a member of RCPA. Those interested in volunteering or with questions can email Pam Gehlmann, Regional Director for Pinnacle Treatment Centers, who is serving as Host Committee Chair.

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