ABHPC Prevention Pathways Monthly Bulletin for September 2025
Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 – October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. This is a time to honor the cultural heritage, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities, which makes up nearly 40% of the population of California. In prevention work, cultural responsiveness is essential. Programs that incorporate bilingual outreach, culturally relevant messaging, and trusted community leaders create deeper engagement around substance use prevention and overall wellness.
Across California, initiatives like the California Reducing Disparities Project are tailoring prevention strategies to meet the unique needs of Hispanic communities. These efforts go beyond reducing stigma; they strengthen protective factors such as family cohesion, intergenerational support, and community pride, all of which help protect individuals against substance use and misuse.
This month, we celebrate the ways cultural identity can be powerful tools in prevention and acknowledge the resiliency of Hispanic individuals and communities through times of trauma. From youth mentoring programs that honor cultural traditions to family-centered outreach events, these approaches show that honoring heritage is also a way of building healthier, stronger communities.
National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month. This month is intended to spread awareness and preparedness for natural disasters and emergencies. Ready.gov has tools to prepare for difficult conversations around disaster preparedness. Important steps you can take during National Preparedness Month include developing a disaster plan, and preparing an emergency supply kit.
Emergencies and disasters often bring heightened stress, displacement, and uncertainty, all of which can increase risk factors for substance use and misuse. State agencies such as the California Office of Emergency Servicesand the Department of Public Health have worked alongside prevention networks to integrate behavioral health into disaster response. This includes continuity of care for those in recovery, safe medication storage during evacuations, and incorporating mental health first aid into community preparedness trainings.
National Recovery Month
National Recovery Month is observed annually in September. Since 1989, National Recovery Month has been a time to celebrate those who are living in recovery from substance use disorders. It is also a time to highlight the vital role that prevention, treatment, and recovery support services play in making recovery possible. Many recovery organizations across California focus on mentorship, housing and economic stability, and culturally responsive services.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has toolkits for National Recovery Month 2025 including social media templates, resources and promotional materials. Each week of National Recovery Month has a theme to help guide individuals and organizations in their activities. This year, the weekly themes are:
- Week 1: Health – Recovery includes whole health.
- Week 2: Home – Recovery is strengthened in a safe and supportive home.
- Week 3: Community – Building social networks and a sense of community can support recovery.
- Week 4: Purpose – A sense of meaning can bolster recovery efforts.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Substance misuse and suicide are deeply connected and addressing them together can help save lives. Suicide Prevention Month is observed annually in September, with September 8th – 14th marking National Suicide Prevention Week. This is a time to share stories of hope, reduce stigma, ensure that people know that help is available.
California’s Know the Signs campaign offers materials in both English and Spanish to help people recognize warning signs and reach out to those in need. Prevention programs can use these resources to address underlying risk factors like isolation, trauma, and stigma while building protective resiliency factors such as social connection, access to care, and stress management skills.
Resources are available if you or someone you know is struggling. You can call or text 988, or connect with CalHOPE for live support including being connected to further resources.
Community Spotlight: California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) supports substance use programs and professionals across the state and aims to formalize processes of education and credentialing across the state. CCAPP offers training, certification, and advocacy to ensure that substance use prevention and treatment specialists have the tools and standards needed to serve their communities effectively and with accountability.
Licensure and certification through CCAPP are critical because they establish consistent professional standards, protect clients, and elevate the credibility of the field. Licensed professionals demonstrate competency, ethical practice, and ongoing commitment to growth through continuing education. This not only builds public trust but also ensures that prevention and treatment efforts are grounded in best practices. By supporting licensure, CCAPP helps create a stronger, more respected workforce that is equipped to meet the complex needs of communities and advances the broader goal of reducing substance use, misuse, and substance-related harm across California.
DHCS Announcements and Updates
DHCS Summits on Harm Reduction in SUD Treatment – Registration is now open!
The DHCS Summits on Harm Reduction in SUD Treatment aim to reduce stigma and educate SUD treatment providers on taking a harm reduction approach to SUD treatment services. Registration is currently open for an additional summit in San Bernardino County (September 11, 2025). DHCS encourages SUD treatment providers and staff (including social workers, peers, front desk staff, case managers, nurses, physicians, and all staff in SUD treatment settings) to attend and learn about best practices for incorporating the tenants of harm reduction into SUD treatment settings. Register on the event website.
Request for Applications (RFA) for Elevate Youth California (EYC) Cohort 7 Standard Track
On August 18, 2025, DHCS released an RFA for approximately $46.98 million. Youth serving community-based and tribal organizations can apply for up to $1,000,000 to implement the EYC program over a three-year grant period in low-income, under-resourced communities of color. EYC is a statewide program addressing substance use disorder by investing in youth leadership and civic engagement for youth of color and 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth ages 12 to 26 living in communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. For more information and to apply by the September 26, 2025, deadline, please visit the EYC website.
Register Now for the CBHDA’s 2025 Behavioral Health Policy Forum
October 22-24, 2025, in Santa Barbara, CA. Join us for a dynamic gathering of behavioral health leaders, providers, consumers, policymakers, elected officials, and advocates at our 2025 Behavioral Health Policy Forum. Enjoy networking, workshops, breakout sessions, and powerful stories from individuals with lived experience. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and stay ahead in the evolving behavioral health landscape. For more information, please visit our events page and click here to register today. Please contact pbarrientos@cbhda.org for any questions concerning registration, and for all other questions, please reach out to clafferty@cbhda.org. We look forward to seeing you in Santa Barbara!
CalHHS CARE Act Working Group Meeting
August 27, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The meeting featured a presentation and discussion about the recently released 2025 CARE Act Annual Report, detailing the CARE Act’s early progress in connecting Californians with serious mental illness to treatment, housing, and hope. There was also be a panel discussion on the Role of Peers in CARE, as well as updates on implementation and recent activities. Please see the CARE Act Working Group site for additional information.
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!