ABHPC Prevention Pathways Monthly Bulletin for July 2026

Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month is celebrated annually in July to commemorate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act signed on July 26, 1990. This year’s theme, “The World Works Better with Us,” brings attention to the value of inclusion in communities and the right for people with disabilities to be involved in society-level decisions that affect them. More than one in four adults in the United States have a disability. People with disabilities are more likely to smoke and have obesity, diabetes, or heart disease than people without disabilities. Disabilities most commonly affect cognition, mobility, and independent living – this highlights the necessity for accessibility across community sectors.

Healthy People 2030 has identified goals and strategies for improved health outcomes for people with disabilities, including access to behavioral health care. Prevention specialists can support by ensuring meetings and programming are accessible (check out this How to Plan and Run an Accessible and Inclusive Meeting guide) and understanding the links between substance use and disability.

Below are two more ways to celebrate Disability Pride Month:

Explore virtual and in-person Disability Pride Month events in California through the California Natural Resources Agency.
Try the American Bar Association’s 21-Day Disability Equity Habit-Building Challenge.

Prevention Specialist-Certification: The Why and How

The California Certified Prevention Specialist (CCPS) credential provides a path for prevention specialists to advance their career and helps to enhance prevention as a public health discipline and profession. The CCPS is endorsed by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium and managed in California by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals.

The CCPS is not required in California to practice substance use prevention but is strongly encouraged. Credentialing ensures prevention professionals are equipped with essential knowledge and skills and supports better outcomes in prevention initiatives. The credential supports professionals with practical skills, ethical decision-making, and a network of peer support.

In your CCPS application, you must be able to show that you have received a minimum number of training and education hours across several core areas. ABHPC offers many no-cost trainings that can be used to meet these requirements. We can help you document the ABHPC trainings you have completed. If you would like a record of your continuing education activities with ABHPC, submit the ABHPC Training Certificate Request Form and we will send you certificates for the trainings and Continuing Education Hours you have completed.

Below are the requirements for the CCPS application:

One year/2,000 hours of Alcohol and Other Drug prevention experience.
120 hours of supervised practicum.
120 hours approved prevention education and/or training.
– All Training must cover IC&RC’s Six Domains of Prevention
One professional letter of reference.
Signed CCPS Code of Ethics.
Pass Certified Prevention Specialist examination.
Consent forms and identification verification documents, and fees.

To see how ABHPC can assist you with your CCPS credential, reach out to ABHPCinfo@cars-rp.org

Additional professional pathways in the behavioral health field include Certified Wellness Coaches, Community Health Workers, Promotores, and Peer Support Specialists. To find out more, see the Substance Use Prevention Plan.

ABHPC Year 4: What’s to Come

July 2026 kicks off Year 4 of ABHPC! Over the past three years, tens of thousands of hours of training and technical assistance have been provided to thousands of participants through ABHPC. The ABHPC team is excited to share that in addition to ongoing training and technical assistance offerings, professional development opportunities including mentoring and the emerging professional program, publications, and recordings, extra supports are built into Year 4.

Offerings for Year 4 include:

Bite-Size Training Videos: Brief vignettes covering essential prevention topics for the learner on-the-go.
Prevention Podcast: ABHPC Consultants and prevention subject matter experts will discuss timely emerging trends in substance use prevention and highlight work being done across California and the United States.
Roundtables: Many ABHPC webinars will be followed by a 60-minute facilitated roundtable discussion, where participants can explore concepts in greater depth, ask questions, and engage in applied learning with their peers.
Substance Use Prevention Plan (SUPP) Trainings: ABHPC will provide an intentional and structured approach to SUPP support, designed to meet counties at each stage of their work, from initial goal setting through implementation and reflection.

Stay tuned for announcements and more information!

What’s the latest from DHCS

DHCS Substance Use Disorder Integrated Care Conference — Registration is Open!

Registration is open for the 20^th Annual Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Integrated Care Conference at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach and Convention Center from August 25-27, 2026. This highly anticipated three-day conference is designed for behavioral health professionals in SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Early bird registration is available through July 31, 2026. Register now to secure your spot! For questions about the SUD Conference, please email DHCSPrevention@dhcs.ca.gov.

PROP 64 ADVISORY GROUP — July 2026 Meeting!

The next quarterly PROP 64 Advisory Group Meeting is July 16, 2026, from 10am – 12pm PT held virtually through WebEx. The purpose of the group is to share emerging trends in youth substance use, make recommendations to DHCS on best practices for youth substance prevention, and provide feedback on Youth Education, Prevention and Treatment Account-funded funded program assessment, implementation, and evaluation. Registration is required to attend. To view the Agenda and PowerPoint training for this meeting as well as past meeting materials please visit Prop 64 Advisory Group webpage.

Join the CA Bridge Connect — California’s New Addiction Treatment Helpline!

DHCS invites you to attend the statewide virtual kick-off of CA Bridge Connect — a new free and confidential helpline linking Californians struggling with substance use to same-day support and resources. The event is July 28, 2026 from 10:00–11:00 AM PT. Virtual — register here: CA Bridge Connect Virtual Kick-off.

CA Bridge Connect links those who call and text the helpline to low-barrier medications for addiction treatment like buprenorphine and methadone, overdose prevention, and other substance use support. While the event is especially relevant for SUD health professionals, community-based organizations, and community leaders, this webinar is open to anyone who wants to learn more about this important resource.

The event will walkthrough how CA Bridge Connect works, what happens when someone calls or texts, and how you can get involved, from making referrals to the helpline to spreading the word in your community. We’ll hear from the people behind the program – including a Navigator who answers calls daily – and leave plenty of time for your questions and input on how to continue to make this program sustainable across the state.

For more information: sup@phd.sccgov.org

If you are interested in having your organization or prevention program featured in an upcoming bulletin, email Olivia Shrago at oshrago@cars-rp.org to get started!