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The Rhode Island Prevention Resource Center (RIPRC) is dedicated to providing training, technical assistance, and capacity-building resources to substance abuse prevention providers and their community partners. The RIPRC also increases the number of prevention providers in the state’s certification system and fosters collaboration between experts in this field.
Ten Years of Providing Hope
This year, the RIPRC celebrated its 10-year anniversary at PREVCON, the statewide prevention conference hosted by the Rhode Island Governor’s Council on Behavioral Health’s Prevention Advisory Committee. The annual conference focuses on current issues in substance use prevention, mental health promotion, and the intersection of prevention and equity.
“I’ve always been drawn to prevention work because it focuses on opportunity, hope, and creativity,” said Shannon Spurlock, director of the RIPRC, in a recent reflection over her 10 years working with Rhode Island’s providers.
“Prevention strategies are evidence-based and focus on systems, high-need populations, and individuals who are disproportionately at risk for behavioral health disorders. A comprehensive public health approach to prevention can reduce and eliminate disparities in health and lead to better health outcomes for all.”
-Shannon Spurlock, RIPRC Director
Creating Rhode Island’s Prevention Workforce
The RIPRC is dedicated to the recruitment, retention, education, and training of its substance abuse prevention professionals and to improving the quality of the state’s workforce. We partner with RI community-based nonprofits, the private sector, and government agencies to build capacity to streamline services, develop their workforce, collect and use data effectively, and promote healthy behaviors so they can deliver better services.
Over the past 10 years, the RIPRC has provided more than 1,000 one-on-one technical assistance sessions and offered over 100 group training sessions to over 100 providers.
Building Capacity for Substance Abuse Prevention Providers
Our evidence-informed and culturally appropriate services are designed to help RI prevention organizations improve and expand their services.
We provide training and technical assistance based on the self-identified capacity-building needs of substance abuse prevention providers in a range of formats including face-to-face meetings and training sessions, learning collaboratives, video conferences, and e-learning opportunities. Visit RIPRC’s website, developed by JSI, for a calendar of training sessions, resources, information, and more services sponsored by the RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals.
Ensuring Equity Throughout Provider Services
We work alongside RI communities to facilitate the creation of cultural and gender-appropriate services for mental health and substance use disorders.