The Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST): A Behavioral Health Workforce Development Curriculum

SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT) designed the Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST), workforce development curriculum, to prepare entry-level prevention practitioners to engage in a comprehensive, data-driven strategic planning process guided by SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework. The curriculum, which consists of an online course in prevention fundamentals followed by a 4-day, face-to-face training, provides an introduction to the fundamentals of substance abuse prevention, including current research and theory, planning, evaluation, and the cultural context of prevention. The CAPT has delivered the SAPST over 30 times, including adaptations for Native Americans/Alaskan Natives and the Pacific Jurisdictions. It has also delivered over 15 trainer of trainers (TOT) events that prepare state prevention trainers to deliver the SAPST. This session will describe the development, content, and methods of the SAPST; present findings about its effectiveness; and share tools that states can use to evaluate their own implementation of the training.   

During development of the SAPST, outcomes for the three pilot tests were assessed using a pretest posttest evaluation design, which included multiple items to measure changes in perceived prevention knowledge and items to measure objective knowledge. Data were also collected on participants’ satisfaction with the training, the degree to which they obtained new information/ideas, the likelihood that they would apply those ideas/information, and improvement in their capacity to carry out prevention activities.  In addition, observations about the design, delivery, and effectiveness of the training were collected from the trainers and from observers. During dissemination of the SAPST, a retrospective posttest design was used that included assessment of participants satisfaction with the SAPT, the amount of information/ideas they received, the likelihood that they will use the information/ideas, and the extent to which they are better prepared to implement prevention activities as a result of the training.     

 

Evaluations of the several pilot tests of the SAPST using a pretest posttest design showed participants were satisfied with the training had obtained new information/ideas; and were likely to apply the information/ideas. In addition there were statistically significant gains both in items measuring perceived knowledge about prevention, and in items measuring objective knowledge.  Results from over 25 implementations show consistently positive results; as examples: participants indicate they are very satisfied with the SAPT, are very likely to use information/ideas from the training, and are better prepared to implement prevention activities as “a result of the SAPST.”