Get Trained

The urgency of this work cannot be overstated.

Youth who use drugs, whether occasionally or regularly, are at increased risk of harm or substance use disorder. We know there are effective tools and resources available to help.

Training is available now! Please submit an interest form to schedule training. We look forward to connecting with you soon! Additional training info is below.

Interest Form

adults communicating support to teens - collage

This training is for you if...

You want to be an ally for youth struggling with substance use and other behavioral health concerns.
You care about the youth in your community and don't want to see them struggle alone.
You want to strengthen your ability to connect with youth using informed, compassionate, open communication.
You are an adult in California who interacts with youth.
Medical or behavioral health clinical degree is NOT required.

We aim to equip you with:

Practical Skills

to engage youth, destigmatize conversations, identify youth needs, and refer to appropriate support.

Knowledge

to enable you to act with care and evidence-informed actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Open Doors Training project?

Who can benefit from the Open Doors Training?

Is the Open Doors Training free?

How is the Open Doors Training delivered?

Who developed the Open Doors training?

Does the Open Doors training focus on any particular substances or is it general talking points that could be applied to all substance use?

Is the Open Doors training focused on building relationships with a specific age range of young people?

Is the Open Doors training for youth?

Course Outline

Your Journey Through the Open Doors Training

Open Doors Groundwork

In this engaging 2.5-hour self-paced online module, explore the foundations of Open Doors with a focus on the past, present and future of youth substance use, the social and environmental factors that shape it, and the power of relationships to make a lasting impact.

Module 1: Opening the Door

Welcome to Open Doors! In this session, we’ll build a sense of community, explore the goals of the training, and set the stage for impactful learning.

Module 2: Understanding Youth Substance Use

We’ll dive into the spectrums of youth substance use, the factors influencing use, and how our understanding of these can influence our engagement with youth.

Module 3: The Role of Relationship in Open Doors

Learn how Cultural Humility, the 5 R’s of Restorative Justice, and Harm Reduction come together to shape a relational approach to engaging youth facing substance and other behavioral health issues.

Module 4: Unlocking Engagement—The Open Doors Key

Learn Open Doors’ evidence-based tool to effectively engage with youth. This session provides interactive skill-building to apply the principles of Open Doors and build authentic relationships.

Module 5, Part I: Engage with Intention—Effective Strategies with Youth

Explore proven engagement techniques that foster open, supportive conversations around substance use and other behavioral health issues.

Module 5, Part II: Engage with Intention— Overcoming Barriers to Connection

What stands in the way of connection? Explore practical strategies to identify and navigate barriers that may hinder engagement, creating opportunities for every youth to feel seen and heard.

Module 6: Guiding Youth to Appropriate Care and Support

You don’t have to have all the answers —just the right tools! This module focuses on helping youth identify their needs and connecting them with the care and support they deserve.

Module 7: Keeping the Door Open

Your journey doesn’t end here! Wrap up the training by strengthening connections within the Open Doors community and exploring opportunities for continued learning and impact.

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Serving All Communities

California is a geographically large and diverse state. Our goal is to provide a training program that serves all communities. We're engaging a wide range of professionals and community members to guide us.

Advisory GROUP

The Open Doors Advisory Group, consisting of a diverse group of professionals and individuals with lived experience, will help to keep the training focused on our youth’s needs.

YOUTH COUNCIL

We are centering youth voices in our Open Doors project through a Youth Council (ages 15-26), ensuring our training reflects real experiences and needs. Their input will shape a youth-centered approach that strengthens supportive relationships and uplifts all communities.

Focus Groups

We are engaging our community through focus groups that will ensure representation of all voices in our curriculum, with an emphasis on elevating voices from historically marginalized and underserved populations.

Training is now available!

Please submit an interest form to schedule training. We look forward to connecting with you soon!