Thursday, November 5th at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor ($65 registration fee)
You are invited to attend Maine’s 2026 Nurture ME Summit, The Power of Perspective: Dismantling Stigma and Bias to Strengthen and Support Families, on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Stigma manifests in a magnitude of ways, substantially influencing health disparities, access to care, and mental health outcomes. This year’s summit will focus on the impacts of individual and structural stigma within maternal and child health and ways we can combat these effects to strengthen and support families in Maine.
The summit’s content is aimed at medical providers, behavioral health clinicians, social service providers, prevention professionals, public health educators, and community members.
The summit includes a keynote speaker, plenary session, panel discussions, and 10 breakouts!
Keynote Speaker & Plenary Panel:
- Keynote - Kendra Gludt, Director of National Programs, Proof Alliance
- Plenary - Susanne Schmidt, Award-Winning Performer and Storyteller
- And 10 breakout sessions to choose from
Date: November 5, 2026
Location: Cross Insurance Center - 515 Main St., Bangor, Maine, 04401
Time: Doors Open at 7:45
Welcome Remarks to End of Day: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For more information and to register visit: https://web.cvent.com/event/
Webinars:
Reaching Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) Where They Are: Substance Use Prevention and Treatment
Wednesday, October 7th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm, Zoom
Hosted by MCD Global Health
Substance use can have significant effects on the health and development of adolescents and young adults. This session will equip pediatric primary care providers and clinical teams with practical, evidence-based strategies to prevent, identify, and address substance use among youth. Participants will review current trends, apply validated screening tools such as CRAFFT, and explore motivational interviewing and motivational enhancement techniques for engaging young people at different stages of readiness. The session will emphasize developmentally appropriate, patient-centered communication, early intervention, warm handoffs, and the use of family, community, and national resources to improve outcomes.
For more information and to register visit: MPBHP's Pediatric Psychiatry ECHO
Psychedelics in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders and Other Psychiatric Disorders
Wednesday, October 7th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm, Zoom
Hosted by CCSME
Learning objectives:
- Review the historical timeline of psychedelics
- Discuss the mechanism of action of psychedelics
- Evaluate literature to determine psychedelics role in therapy for substance use disorders and other psychiatric disorders
For more information and to register visit: https://
SUD Care Continuum ECHO®: Prevalence, Withdrawal and Approaches to Care for Kratom Use
Wednesday, October 7th from 12:00pm – 1:15 pm, Zoom
Hosted by Grayken Center for Addiction Training and Technical Assistance
As part of the twice-monthly SUD Care Continuum ECHO® series, Nancy Regan-Brooks, MSN, FNP, CNM, CARN-AP, will describe current trends and prevalence of kratom use in the U.S, including the impact of substance use on consent, and identify symptoms of kratom withdrawal. She will also determine interventions for the management of kratom use. The didactic will be followed by a de-identified patient case presentation from an ECHO® participant and recommendations from the panel of experts and attendees.
For more information and to register visit: https://www.addictiontraining.
Between the Leaves: Prevalence, Withdrawal and Approaches to Care for Kratom Use
Thursday, October 8th from 3pm – 4pm, Zoom
Hosted by Grayken Center for Addiction Training and Technical Assistance
This training aims to increase learners’ understanding of kratom prevalence, misuse patterns, and clinical management. The activity provides evidence-based content that enables healthcare providers to accurately characterize kratom use, recognize signs and symptoms of kratom intoxication and withdrawal, and understand associated health risks. Improved knowledge is expected to reduce under-recognition of kratom-related concerns and promote more informed, consistent, and patient-centered care across interprofessional practice settings.
For more information and to register visit: https://www.addictiontraining.
Kratom and its Derivatives in the Community: What Clinicians Should Know and What They Should Do
Tuesday, October 13th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm, Zoom
Hosted by CCSME
Objectives:
- Discuss the historical context and current use of Kratom and Kratom Derivatives in the United States
- Understand the basic physiology of Kratom, its metabolites, and its effects
- Understand current policy around Kratom in the United States
- Discuss patterns of Kratom Use, including Kratom Use Disorder
For more information and to register visit: https://
Do You Speak Teen? Communicating Effectively with Adolescents Through Structured Psychosocial Assessment
Wednesday, October 14th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm, Zoom
Hosted by New England ATTC
The New England ATTC is hosting a universal TA session titled, "Do You Speak Teen? Communicating Effectively with Adolescents Through Structured Psychosocial Assessment" with subject matter expert Laura Grubb, MD, MPH. Adolescents often present unique communication challenges for healthcare, behavioral health, and youth-serving professionals. Building trust, maintaining confidentiality, and conducting developmentally appropriate assessments are essential skills for identifying strengths, risk behaviors, and opportunities for early intervention. This webinar will introduce participants to the HEADSSS/SSHADESS psychosocial assessment framework and demonstrate practical strategies for engaging adolescents in conversations about home life, school, substance use, mental health, sexuality, safety, and overall well-being. Participants will learn techniques for conducting strength-based interviews, screening for substance use and other high-risk behaviors, and implementing brief interventions that support healthy adolescent development and informed clinical decision-making.
For more information and to register visit: https://attcnetwork.org/event/
Gas Station Pharmacology
Thursday, October 15th from 1:00pm – 2:00pm, Zoom
Hosted by ADEPT
The landscape of psychoactive substances is evolving faster than regulatory frameworks can keep pace. From semi-synthetic cannabinoids like Delta-8 to kratom-derived 7-OH, tianeptine, and nitrous oxide, behavioral health professionals are increasingly encountering clients who use substances that exist in legal gray zones, carry significant health risks, and are poorly understood by both the public and many clinicians. Join Dr. Aaron Weiner for an evidence-based overview of the most prevalent unregulated and semi-regulated psychoactive substances currently available at retail outlets, including their pharmacology, health risks, addiction potential, and regulatory status. Attendees will also explore practical, motivation-based clinical strategies for engaging clients who use these substances — moving beyond fact-delivery toward values-aligned conversations that build genuine readiness for change.
For more information and to register visit: https://web.cvent.com/event/
Discerning Between Substance Use, Misuse, & Substance Use Disorders, to Provide Appropriate Care & Support
Monday, October 19th from 10:00am – 12:00pm, Zoom
Hosted by Northeast and Caribbean ATTC
Prevention services are key to identifying and addressing risky levels of substance use to offer the appropriate level of support. The spectrum of effective prevention strategies helps to identify and address different levels of substance use and the negative health effects that tend to result from risky behaviors. This interactive learning event will inform on varying degrees of substance use and substance use terms, effects on health, and importance of transparency in language.
For more information and to register visit: https://attcnetwork.org/event/
Promoting Healthy Digital Media Use In Adolescence to Support Mental and Behavioral Health
Tuesday, October 20th from 3:00pm – 4:00pm, Zoom
Hosted by Northwest PTTC
Dr. Magis-Weinberg will explore how children and adolescents are affected by digital technology and social media use, and offer suggestions for substance use prevention professionals on how to promote healthy digital media use and prevent negative effects on mental and behavioral health.
This session will provide participants with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in promoting healthy digital media use among adolescents. Participants will learn to identify individual, social, and environmental factors that shape digital media use and describe strategies for supporting healthy digital habits across home, school, and peer contexts.
For more information and to register visit: https://pttcnetwork.org/event/
SUD Care Continuum ECHO®: Reframing 'Difficult' Patient Interactions in SUD Care
Wednesday, October 21st from 12:00pm – 1:15pm, Zoom
Hosted by Grayken Center for Addiction Training and Technical Assistance
As part of the twice-monthly SUD Care Continuum ECHO® series, Kristin Wason, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, CARN, will identify stigmatizing or biasing language in the medical record and explain how it can perpetuate clinical error, inequitable care, and negative clinician attitudes, and apply person-centered documentation strategies that communicate relevant information while minimizing bias. She will also use practical communication and de-escalation techniques to improve therapeutic relationships and reduce conflict during challenging encounter. The didactic will be followed by a de-identified patient case presentation from an ECHO® participant and recommendations from the panel of experts and attendees.
For more information and to register visit: https://www.addictiontraining.
Synthetic Cannabinoids and Hemp-Derived Intoxicants (HHS Region 3)
Wednesday, October 21st from 1:00pm – 2:30pm, Zoom
Hosted by Central East PTTC
This training will provide prevention professionals with an overview of the federal and state regulatory landscape governing hemp-derived cannabinoids, including emerging efforts to address regulatory loopholes and recent legislative actions. Participants will explore the pharmacology and health effects of synthetic cannabinoids and hemp-derived THC products, review current public health surveillance data and poison center trends, and examine the short- and long-term medical and psychiatric consequences associated with use, including intoxication, overdose, and psychosis.
Through case example and facilitated discussion, participants will gain practical knowledge to support prevention, education, policy development, and community response efforts related to the rapidly changing marketplace of intoxicating hemp products.
For more information and to register visit: https://pttcnetwork.org/event/
Art and Youth Mental Health
Thursday, October 22nd from 7:30am – 8:30am, Zoom
Hosted by Maine Pediatric & Behavioral Health Partnership
Creative expression can offer children and adolescents meaningful ways to communicate, process experiences, build connection, and support emotional well-being. Led by psychART co-founders and child and adolescent psychiatrists Dr. Saffron Homayoun and Dr. Megan Fisher, this webinar will explore the connections between the arts, psychiatry, and youth mental health. The session will also feature brief perspectives from Maine-based programs using the arts in community, school, or clinical settings and consider practical opportunities to strengthen this work.
For more information and to register visit: Webinar Registration - Zoom
The Buzz is Changing: Alcohol & Caffeine in a New Generation
Tuesday, October 27th from 1:00pm – 2:30pm, Zoom
Hosted by Operation Parent
From White Claws and Celsius to BuzzBallz and Alani, today's young people are surrounded by new products, powerful marketing, and mixed messages about alcohol and caffeine. Join Dr. Aaron Weiner of Prime For Life as he explores how these substances affect the developing brain, the myths and misunderstandings that can increase risk, and what young people are seeing online and in their everyday lives. Using Prime For Life's evidence-based approach, Dr. Weiner will share practical ways parents can help kids better assess risk, make healthier decisions, and navigate a culture where the buzz is constantly changing.
For more information and to register visit: https://rs9fo.share.hsforms.
Gambling: Changing Laws & the Youth Addiction Landscape
Thursday, October 29th from 11:00am – 12:30pm, Zoom
Hosted by Mid-America PTTC
This presentation explains how the changing laws and prediction market language affect the youth gambling landscape. Participants learn how executive functioning develops, why adolescents are especially vulnerable to risk-taking and problem gambling, as well as practical strategies for protecting healthy brain development. The material is designed to be engaging, interactive, and easy to understand for students, parents, educators, and clinicians.
For more information and to register visit: https://pttcnetwork.org/event/
Cannabis Use among Youth and Young Adults: Prevalence, Assessment, Dependence, and Comorbidities
Thursday, October 29th from 12:00pm – 1:15pm, Zoom
Hosted by New England ATTC
The New England ATTC in collaboration with Brown University is hosting a universal TA titled, "Cannabis Use among Youth and Young Adults: Prevalence, Assessment, Dependence, and Comorbidities" with subject matter expert Liz Aston, Ph.D. This webinar will explore cannabis use among youth and young adults, including prevalence, effects on the developing brain, cannabis potency and methods of use, and associated health and behavioral concerns. Participants will gain practical, evidence-informed approaches for assessing cannabis use and engaging youth, young adults, and families in nonjudgmental conversations about screening, communication, and risk reduction.
For more information and to register visit: https://attcnetwork.org/event/