Trainings
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LIVE Virtual Trainings
Event
Beyond Consults: Embedding Behavioral Health in Post-Acute Care Teams
Event Date: August 14, 2025
6 - 7 p.m. ET
ACCME & NAB CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE.
The COE-NF in collaboration with the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed), gather clinical and operational leaders for an open, interactive, solutions-focused conversation on integrating behavioral health into post-acute care.
Moving beyond traditional consult-only models, presenters will share practical strategies for embedding behavioral health as a core component of interdisciplinary teams. Through a conversational format and opportunities for audience participation, attendees will gain evidence-based insights and actionable approaches to support sustainable, team-based behavioral health care in post-acute and long-term care settings.
Learning Objectives:
- Define the role of behavioral health in post-acute care.
- Explore best practices for care models that support behavioral health integration.
- Share strategies for effective interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Discuss the measurable impact of behavioral health integration.
Speakers: Tana Whitt, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC and Dr. Robert Russell
Event
Managing Substance Use Disorders (SUD) in Nursing Facilities Office Hours
Event Date: August 15, 2025
1 - 1:30 p.m. ET
Interested in receiving expert answers to substance use challenges you are facing in your nursing facility?
Join subject matter experts, Dr. Jenn Azen and Dr. Swati Gaur, during monthly office hours as they answer questions to your complex cases. No question is too big or small.
Monthly office hours are held on the 3rd Friday of each month from 1-1:30 p.m. ET.
Subject Matter Experts:
Swati Gaur, MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF
Medical Director, Alliant Health Solutions
Medical Director, Post Acute Northeast Georgia Health System
Jenn Azen, MD, MPH
Clinical Associate Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine
Attending Physician, UW Medicine Post-Acute Care Service Medical Director, UW Medical Center Addiction Medicine Consult Service
Primary Care Physician and Physician Educator, UW Medicine Primary Care Clinics
Event
Empowering Nursing Facility Care with CLAS! (Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services)
Event Date: August 19, 2025
2 - 3 p.m. ET
ACCME AND NAB CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE.
Nursing facilities serve a diverse population of racial and ethnic minority residents while providing high-quality care requires recognizing and addressing cultural and linguistic barriers. This webinar will introduce the National CLAS (Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services) standards, offering practical strategies for delivering respectful, effective, and equitable care. Participants will learn how to apply these standards to reduce health disparities and promote health equity in residential nursing facilities.
Learning Objectives:
1. Gain an understanding of the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards and their relevance in promoting health equity within nursing facilities.
- Learn to identify and analyze cultural barriers faced by diverse adults and other health-impacted communities in nursing home settings, facilitating better service delivery.
- Develop actionable strategies for implementing CLAS standards within facilities.
Speaker: Diana Padilla, MCPC, CARC, CASAC-TASAP
Event
Empathy and Compassion: Foundations for Person-Centered, Staff-Sustaining Care
Event Date: August 26, 2025
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ET
ACCME & NAB CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE.
The relationships formed between residents and staff in long-term care settings can foster mutual compassion and support overall well-being. In this training, Kristin M. MacDonald, PhD, MS, RD, will present original research highlighting the positive impact of experienced compassion at work on nursing facility direct caregivers. She will also clarify the distinction between empathy and compassion which are two closely related, but distinct elements central to person-centered care. Participants will take part in an interactive empathy mapping exercise focused on residents with complex behavioral health needs.
Learning Objectives:
- Define the concepts of empathy, compassion, and “experienced compassion at work.”
- Understand how compassion benefits the well-being of both nursing home residents and direct care staff.
- Learn how to use empathy mapping to enhance caregiving practices by applying key insights of empathy and compassion.
Speaker: Kristin M. MacDonald, PhD, MS, RD
Event
Opioid Stewardship in Skilled Nursing Facilities: Preventing Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Before it Starts
Event Date: August 28, 2025
2 - 3 p.m. ET
ACCME & NAB CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE.
Nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) often care for residents who are discharged from hospitals with opioid prescriptions for acute pain. In addition, many residents receive opioids for both acute and chronic pain management. However, prolonged use and higher doses significantly increase the risk of opioid use disorder (OUD).
In this presentation, Dr. Swati Gaur, MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF, and Dr. Jenn Azen, MD, MPH, will explore how nursing facilities can implement effective opioid stewardship practices to minimize harm. This includes ensuring the right indication, right dose, and right duration of opioid therapy. The session will also cover evidence-based alternatives to opioids, adjunctive pain management strategies, and guidance on selecting appropriate opioids when long-term use is unavoidable.
Participants will gain practical strategies to reduce opioid-related risks while optimizing pain management for residents.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand strategies for developing an opioid treatment program at your facility
- Discuss approach to assessing opioid orders on admission and create a plan to taper.
- Recognize approaches to managing patients on chronic opioids and keeping them safe.
- Implement an interdisciplinary opioid stewardship program and incorporate within a QAPI framework.
Speaker: Dr. Swati Gaur and Dr. Jenn Azen
Event
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Event Date: August 29, 2025
11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET
FULL
ACCME AND NAB CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training provides skills to contact and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use challenge or experiencing a crisis.
This session provides a MHFA certification for three years.
The training covers:
- Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and substance use challenges.
- How to interact with a person in crisis.
- How to connect a person with help.
- Expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care
The training is divided into three (3) parts:
Part 1 starts AFTER initial registration has been APPROVED by the instructor. Approved registrants will be emailed instructions on how to create an on-line profile using MHFA Connect and completing a pre-survey/quiz followed by a 2-hour self-paced online course. Registrants MUST complete Part 1 no less than 48 hours (two business days) prior to the scheduled Part 2 session.
Part 2 is a 5.5-hour live instructor led virtual training. Participants are required to be on camera the entire time.
Part 3 participants will return to MHFA Connect to complete the post test and evaluation, required to receive a certificate of participation.
7.75 NAB credits and 5.5 ACCME credits will be offered after completing this live training.
Registration is limited.
Speaker: Marti Vogt
Event
Managing Substance Use Disorders (SUD) in Nursing Facilities Office Hours
Event Date: September 19, 2025
1 - 1:30 p.m. ET
Interested in receiving expert answers to substance use challenges you are facing in your nursing facility?
Join subject matter experts, Dr. Jenn Azen and Dr. Swati Gaur, during monthly office hours as they answer questions to your complex cases. No question is too big or small.
Monthly office hours are held on the 3rd Friday of each month from 1-1:30 p.m. ET.
Subject Matter Experts:
Swati Gaur, MD, MBA, CMD, AGSF
Medical Director, Alliant Health Solutions
Medical Director, Post Acute Northeast Georgia Health System
Jenn Azen, MD, MPH
Clinical Associate Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine
Attending Physician, UW Medicine Post-Acute Care Service Medical Director, UW Medical Center Addiction Medicine Consult Service
Primary Care Physician and Physician Educator, UW Medicine Primary Care Clinics
Latest Tweets
Don't miss your chance for FREE #BehavioralHealth consultations from the COE-NF. The COE-NF grant ends 9/29/25. Act now to request help by 9/15/25: https://bit.ly/4mvXPSB #SubstanceUseDisorder
The #988Lifeline provides support for people in suicidal crisis or mental health distress with minimal law enforcement involvement, unless there is a safety threat. For help with a #mentalhealth, suicide, or substance use problem, contact 988. A caring counselor can help you.
Support residents with #Psychosis using non-pharmacological approaches. This COE-NF resource offers practical strategies for care teams. Explore it here: https://bit.ly/4nXeGyX