ABHPC Prevention Pathways Monthly Bulletin for March 2026
Advanced Behavioral Health California Update
There are six (6) exciting events scheduled in March 2026 for Prevention Professionals. Stay tuned for announcements and registration!
Registration is now open for the 2026 ABHPC Action Lab Prevention in Action: Everyday Heroes. This year’s Action Lab will be held May 12-14th, 2026 in Anaheim, CA. For more information and ongoing updates, check out our website.
Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month is celebrated annually in March. This year’s theme is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future” and focuses on leading efforts for sustainable reform and transformation across entities such as environmental concerns, financial stability, and community resilience. The National Women’s History Alliance, based in Santa Rosa, provides a toolkit and one-pager for ideas to get involved.
During Women’s History Month, prevention professionals have an opportunity to uplift the leadership, advocacy, and resilience of women who have shaped public health and substance use prevention efforts. Individuals and organizations can get involved through exploring the history of women in substance use prevention and treatment, spotlighting women prevention leaders in your region, and highlighting how empowerment and community connection are protective factors against substance use and misuse.
Vaping Awareness Month
Vaping Awareness Month serves as a reminder that vaping and nicotine use prevention remains a top priority for youth health in California. Although youth vaping rates in California have declined in the past several years, prevention continues to be valuable for reducing vaping and subsequent tobacco use. The California Department of Education supports schools through its Tobacco-Use Prevention Education program, offering guidance and program resources to address vaping among adolescents.
Community coalitions can use this month to partner with schools, parents, and youth leaders to share science-based messaging, promote refusal skills, and connect individuals to cessation resources such as Kick It California, which offers free quitting support. Prevention providers can access campaign materials and toolkits at California Department of Health’s Tobacco Control Branch as well.
National Drug and Alcohol Fact Week
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) is a nationwide event led by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to connect youth with science-based information about substance use, misuse, and substance use disorder. Counties and prevention organizations can celebrate this week by hosting educational forums, running social media campaigns, and hosting youth-led discussions that address facts around substance use, promote prevention tactics, and reduce stigma in help seeking.
NIDA has NDAFW resources for youth, teachers, and community organizers including stress reduction activities, lesson plans, interactive games, and more.
Community Spotlight: New Hope for Youth–Sonoma County Department of Health Services
Contributors:
Phillip Rodriguez, Founder of New Hope for Youth prodriguez@newhopeforyouth.org
Shelley Alves, Health Program Manager Shelley.alves@sonomacounty.gov
Molly Uribe, AODS Specialist Molly.uribe@sonomacounty.gov
The Sonoma County Department of Health Services, Substance Use Health and Prevention Services, has partnered with New Hope for Youth (NHFY) to provide primary prevention services that support young people across Sonoma County. Through this collaboration, youth receive early intervention and prevention-focused supports designed to strengthen protective factors, reduce risk, and promote long-term health, connection, and success.
NHFY uses a credible messenger model, meaning providers bring lived experience and serve as trusted mentors who can authentically connect with young people. By sharing relatable experiences and modeling resilience, credible messengers help youth build trust, feel seen, and develop confidence in their ability to make healthy decisions. This relationship-centered approach is central to the program’s success and helps youth engage in meaningful, supportive services.
Services are community-based, culturally responsive, and offered in both English and Spanish. Youth participate in individualized case management that focuses on strengths, personal goals, and prevention planning. Providers offer regular supportive check-ins and help connect youth to positive resources such as school supports, mentoring opportunities, recreation, and family or cultural networks. Weekly life-skills groups create space for learning and practical skill-building related to communication, emotional regulation, decision-making, and overall wellness. Pro-social community activities further promote healthy peer relationships and create safe, positive experiences that strengthen belonging. Family engagement remains a key component, helping caregivers build stronger communication and access supports that reinforce prevention at home.
This partnership reflects Sonoma County’s commitment to investing in prevention strategies that center youth voice, trusted relationships, and community-based supports. By combining the credible messenger model with evidence-informed prevention practices, New Hope for Youth demonstrates how local collaboration can strengthen protective factors, improve youth engagement, and advance equitable prevention outcomes, offering a promising model for communities across California seeking to expand upstream prevention efforts.
What’s the latest from DHCS
California Alliance of Child and Family Services and Catalyst Center
We are happy to announce the 2026 Advocacy in Action Conference: United for Community, Rooted in Justice on March 23-26, 2026, in Sacramento, CA, at the Sheraton Grand. This conference is more than an event; it’s a movement. Through collaboration, innovation, and shared expertise, Advocacy in Action provides a space where policy meets practice and ideas transform into action. Join us as we come together, united for community and rooted in justice, to create a future where advocacy is more than intention – it’s action. See more information and register here.
March 31, 2026: First Draft Integrated Plan Deadline
All counties must submit their draft three-year Integrated Plan and budget for Behavioral Health Services, as required by the BHSA for Fiscal Years 2026-2029, by March 31, 2026, with the final plan due June 30, 2026. For questions or assistance, please email BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov. As required under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), a crucial piece of Integrated Plan development is engagement with local stakeholders and partners through the Community Planning Process. This process ensures plans address local behavioral health needs, reduce disparities, and align funding with statewide and local outcomes. Full details on the Community Planning Process and Integrated Plan requirements are detailed in the BHSA County Policy Manual. Additional Community Planning resources, including the Local Planning Process Collaboration Toolkit and Community Planning Process Webinar, are available on the Behavioral Health Transformation webpage.
DHCS Substance Use Disorder Integrated Care Conference – Call for Proposals
Don’t miss your chance to present at this year’s 2026 DHCS Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Integrated Care Conference, August 25 – 27, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach. DHCS invites community-based organizations, providers, state agencies, and subject matter experts in the behavioral health field to submit proposals. Topics should focus on innovative and effective strategies in SUD prevention, treatment, recovery, quality improvement, and other opportunities that advance the integration of behavioral health services. The deadline to submit a proposal is Friday, March 20, 2026. Visit the Call for Proposals webpage for submission requirements. For questions, please email DHCSPrevention@dhcs.ca.gov.
Enhance Your Skills: Free Training on Trauma-Informed Practices for Youth
The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers a comprehensive, asynchronous virtual training called TraumaInSight designed to enhance trauma awareness when working with youth. This no-cost, publicly accessible training is ideal for anyone interested in understanding the principles of trauma-informed care for youth populations. Access the free self-paced webinar at TraumaInSight – NAMI.
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!