Mentoring: Effective Programming for Substance Abuse Prevention

This course will examine the different types of mentoring programs, where they can take place and by whom. It will also review what the barriers and best practices for mentoring programs entail. Participants will also learn activities that can be done with mentors to help them understand their own attitudes and behavior and how this might impact the “mentee.”

IC&RC Domain:  This course is designed to satisfy the domains of Education and Skill Development, Public Policy and Environmental Change, Professional Growth and Responsibility. Check with your certifying organization to confirm their requirements.

Goals/Objectives

By participating in this Distance Learning Course the trainee will: 

• Explore the role of mentoring in prevention
• Define mentoring, and its common program locations and types
• Become aware of seven elements of relationship building
• Review several research-based mentoring programs and how the principles of prevention apply
• Explore skills and knowledge an effective mentor should possess
• Learn best practices of mentoring programs
• Examine the steps of quality assurance for mentoring programs
• Learn a simple training model for mentors

Your Course Instructors:
Robin Rieske
Certified Prevention Specialist

Jo Romano
Certified Prevention Specialist

Robin Rieske is a Certified Prevention Specialist with a combined 17 years of experience in the fields of substance abuse treatment and prevention. She has been working as a Prevention Consultant/Community Organizer in the State of Vermont for the past 15 years.  Among other publications, Robin has co-authored the Ready to Test Manual:  Getting Ready to Test: A Review/Preparation Manual for the Written Prevention Specialist Examination. Her treatment background includes directing an adventure-based treatment program for youth in treatment and assisting in aftercare programming. Robin also works as both a state and federal grant reviewer for substance abuse programming. Her passion in the field of Media Literacy includes development of a grassroots effort on addressing the impact of media on public health issues. Robin serves on many local and state wide prevention organizations, coordinates Know Media and is the secretary for the Vermont Chapter of the Action Coalition for Media Education. Robin is founder of Consulting Works Associates and can be reached at rabiah@sover.net.

Jo Romano is a Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist and a Certified Personal and Professional Coach, Consultant and Trainer based in Montpelier, Vermont.  Jo's technical assistance and custom-tailored trainings are steeped in adult learning theory and practice. Jo is a community mobilizer. She mentors Substance Abuse Prevention specialists and community coalitions to develop and sustain successful research-based best practices in their prevention programming and planning.  She is an organizational development consultant with 35 years of demonstrated expertise in leadership development, change management, team building, conflict resolution, and customer service.  She has served diverse environments, ranging from state and local agencies, to private corporations, families, schools, and community coalitions. Jo's approach is described as respectful, warm, enthusiastic and direct. Her clients credit her with leading, coaching, motivating, and mentoring groups and organizations with excellence.  She is especially noted for setting an immediate tone for safety and open communication. Jo is delighted to hear from you. She may be reached at jo@greenmountainlifecoach.com.