In just a few short days, prevention leaders, partners and advocates from across the globe will reunite at CADCA’s 21st Annual Mid-Year Training Institute – our largest in-person Mid-Year to-date! As CADCA’s Vice President of Communications and Meetings, and on behalf of our staff, trainers and prevention partners, we cannot wait to welcome everyone back to the sunny city of Orlando, Florida. If this will be your first time attending, then you can look forward to an inspiring week packed with opportunities to learn the latest evidence-based prevention strategies, spark new connections and hear directly from the top leaders in the field.
To truly make this year’s theme of “Prevention Today for a Drug-Free Tomorrow” a reality, it will take our combined efforts and collaboration. Mid-Year continues to serve as the ideal setting to grow your prevention networks, and attendees will have dedicated time throughout the week to connect during the opening reception, continental breakfasts, refreshment breaks and more.
At the Opening Plenary and ONDCP Town Hall, you will hear from featured speakers, including Rahul Gupta, MD, MPH, MBA, FACP, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP); Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, PhD, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Deb Houry, MD, MPH, Principal Deputy Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); James Walsh, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), U.S. Department of State; Doug Simon, Director of the Office of Drug Control, Office of Policy and Budget, State of Florida; Robert Kordon, Student Member, Hernando Community Coalition; and Michael J. Nozile, Sr., CEO/Executive Director, Gang Alternative, Inc.
There will also be time to connect with CADCA staff, in passing or during prescheduled 1:1 meetings. Coalition Development Services and CADCA’s Evaluation and Research team will be available to meet throughout the week to discuss your community’s unique goals and challenges. Additionally, the Geographic Health Equity Alliance and the Public Policy team have partnered to provide 1:1 sessions where you can get all of your advocacy and lobbying questions answered. To schedule one of these sessions, be on the lookout for tomorrow’s “Know Before You Go” email, which will also cover what to expect on-site and answer any last-minute FAQs.
Additionally, CADCA continues to monitor local, state and federal guidelines relative to COVID-19 protocols. As things have shifted, we’ve been updating our event protocols to reflect these changes. There are currently no barriers to attendance for unvaccinated individuals. CADCA remains committed to the fact that layered prevention strategies — like wearing masks, staying up-to-date with vaccinations, self-screening and limiting yourself from exposure to COVID-19 — can help prevent severe illness and reduce the potential for strain on the healthcare system.
We look forward to seeing you next week and hope that you can fit in time to stop by and say ‘hello’ to myself and CADCA staff as we run into each other around the Gaylord Palms.
See you this Sunday,
Angelique Wilkins
Vice President, Communications and Meetings
