Policy Consultation
SAAS includes respected leaders in the prevention and treatment of addictive disorders who have been called on repeatedly by SAMHSA, NIAAA, NIDA and other federal agencies, as well as their state governments, to advise on policy and program structure. These leaders are available through SAAS to provide guidance on the capabilities and needs of the field, integration of training and technical assistance with federally-supported resources (e.g., ATTCs), knowledge application strategy, collaboration with state agencies and other policy and programmatic issues.
Research
SAAS has the ability to identify individuals and prevention and treatment programs to participate in surveys, focus groups and other research activities. SAAS member associations include providers representing the entire continuum of prevention and treatment approaches and settings. Those programs serve a diverse array of population groups.
Information Dissemination
SAAS member state provider associations have mechanisms in place for the dissemination of information to community-based programs of prevention and treatment. The state associations sponsor education and training for providers through annual and periodic conferences and utilize websites, newsletters and other mechanisms. SAAS is in a position to identify state association meetings on specific subjects, or workshops/panel presentations within larger meetings and ensure that information and training materials are disseminated in those settings.
Training of Trainers
The education and training activities of state provider associations present the opportunity to institutionalize and sustain science-to-service training for providers. SAAS has the capability to identify individuals in each of its member state provider associations to be trained as trainers. SAAS can work with member associations and the trainers to plan presentations, workshops or other educational opportunities at their annual or periodic meetings.
Use of Providers as Consultants
Training and technical assistance activities must be informed by and reflect the perspective of community-based programs that face the daily challenges of treating people with addictions. Through the direct link with treatment programs that SAAS offers, SAAS can identify senior program and clinical staff who can serve in a consultant pool. As mentors and consultants, community-based providers can help to shape training and technical assistance activities to reflect the cultural, economic and social environment in which programs operate.
