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Upcoming conferences and events, new resources and publications, and job opportunities in the alcohol and other drug abuse and violence (AODV) prevention field. The information shared on this site does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Education or the Higher Education Center. The U.S. Department of Education and the Higher Education Center do not necessarily endorse the events and resources listed below, but offer this information as a service to the AODV prevention field.  

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced a new working definition of "recovery" from mental disorders and substance use disorders. The definition is the product of a yearlong effort by SAMHSA and a wide range of partners in the behavioral health care community and other fields to develop a working definition of recovery that captures the essential, common experiences of those recovering from mental disorders and substance use disorders, along with major guiding principles that support the recovery definition. The new working definition of recovery from mental disorders and substance use disorders is as follows: "A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential."

The press release is available at SAMHSA's Web site.

Register now: "Virginia Campus Safety Forum - Addressing Sexual Assault on Campus"
The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), in collaboration with Virginia public and private universities, is hosting this event. The forum will bring together experts in the field of campus sexual assault to discuss the latest research, policies, legal challenges, interdisciplinary cooperation, and reporting issues. National experts will discuss critical issues that affect the policies and procedures that must be in place for the proper management and investigation of sexual assaults reported to colleges and universities. Structured to encourage a cross-disciplinary approach to this complex campus and community public health issue, the forum will provide attendees with significant opportunities to share expertise and resources with colleagues from across the country. Facilitated question and answer sessions will promote participant interaction with subject matter expert panel members. Suggested participants include campus police and security personnel, municipal law enforcement with a connection to institutions of higher education, student life professionals, counseling and women's center professionals, prosecutors, mental health professionals, and other interested campus or community personnel.   

Dates: March 19-21, 2012

Registration Now Open for ACHA's 2012 Annual Meeting: "College Health - Architects of Change"

Among the goals of the American College Health Association (ACHA) 2012 annual meeting are to increase knowledge, update professional skills, and incorporate evidence-based guidelines and standards into college health practice; identify opportunities for collaboration and exchange of ideas among college health professionals, students, and leaders in higher education; gain greater understanding of programs and environments that enhance health outcomes for college students and campus communities; and recognize the effect of diverse cultures and experiences on the health of individuals and communities.

Dates: May 28-June 1, 2012

Location: Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, Chicago

To register, please visit the ACHA Registration page.

For the meeting-at-a-glance information, please visit the Programs and Events page.

Save the Dates: 2012 Healthy Masculinity Summit

The Healthy Masculinity Summit is the beginning of a pioneering two-year initiative, the Healthy Masculinity Action Project (HMAP), designed to engage men and women from all walks of life in promoting how men can be strong without being violent. The Healthy Masculinity Summit will prepare participants to form community working groups that will organize and host town halls focused on healthy masculinity issues. The mission of HMAP is to examine the intersections of stereotypical masculinity and violence and advocate for the advancement of healthy, nonviolent masculinity in ways that have a measurable, sustainable effect.

Dates: October 17-19, 2012

Location: Washington, D.C.

For more information, please visit the Men Can Stop Rape Web site. 

CADCA's Annual Survey of Coalitions

The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) 2011/2012 Annual Survey of Coalitions is now open for coalitions to participate. Participation in this survey can help coalitions (1) improve coalition dialogue: When you complete the survey, you can immediately download a summary report of your information. The report outlines the accomplishments of your coalition's work for the last 12 months, including sectors engaged, resources generated, strategies implemented, and planning products developed. These summaries provide valuable information to discuss at a coalition meeting or share with community stakeholders; (2) become eligible to participate in innovative projects - CADCA and other partnering organizations use the survey to select coalitions for involvement in various community-researcher partnership projects. These ground-breaking projects forge strong connections and collaborations between coalitions and the scientific community; (3) gain access to valuable networking information; and (4) bring a national focus to the local work of coalitions - CADCA uses the Annual Survey data to share valuable information with Congress. CADCA's Annual Survey is for all coalitions fighting alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drug use in their communities - you do not have to be a member of CADCA to participate.

To learn more about and to participate in the survey, please visit the CADCA Web site.

Margolis Healy 2011 Annual Survey: Higher Education Safety and Security

Margolis Healy & Associates is conducting a short survey, estimated to take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Participants' feedback will help the higher education community understand better trends that may shape and affect safety and security in the coming year. Margolis Healy will share the findings with the public through multiple channels, including its Web site, white papers, industry presentations, and discussions with policymakers and the media. All responses are anonymous.

To take the short survey, please visit the survey Web site.

Job Opportunities  

The following positions were recently posted to the Job Opportunities section of the Center's Web site:

Program Coordinator (Two Positions)

National Center for Higher Education Risk Management, LTD

Coordinator, Health, Promotion and Wellness

The Pennsylvania State University

Coordinator of Alcohol and Drug (AOD) Prevention

University of Connecticut

Prevention Specialist: Wellspring Student Wellness Program

University of Delaware

If you would like weekly e-mail updates on Office of Safe and Healthy Students programs, as well as other information related to school safety, substance abuse and violence prevention in education, and the promotion of student health and well-being, you may be interested in subscribing to ED's OSHS Prevention News Digest. Subscription information is at http://www2.ed.gov/news/newsletters/listserv/preventioned.html.