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?

Is your training available in other languages?

Course Outline

Your Journey Through the Open Doors Training: Open Doors Groundwork

Module 1: Opening the Door

Module 2: Understanding Youth Substance Use

Module 3: The Role of Relationship in Open Doors

Module 4: Unlocking Engagement—The Open Doors Key

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

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

Module 6: Guiding Youth to Appropriate Care and Support

Module 7: Keeping the Door Open

Download FAQ

Download Course Outline

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.

LANGUAGE & CULTURAL TRANSLATION

We are growing towards an inclusive program that provides our core training to non-English speakers who engage with youth—starting with Spanish, the predominant second language in California.

Training is now available!

Since Our Launch in March 2025

We are excited to share a major milestone. Open Doors has trained over 1000 people statewide!

As of July 2026:

Open Doors ‑informed Individuals

Coming Soon: Spanish

Our Core Training curriculum will be available in Spanish by June 2027.

Across California, This Work is Growing

More than 1,000 trusted adults across California are now better equipped to have supportive, nonjudgmental conversations with young people about substance use and other behavioral health concerns.

A Network of Caring Adults

Educators
Youth workers
Social service providers
Community-based professionals
Behavioral health partners
and others

These Open Doors-informed individuals are committed to showing up for youth in ways that are grounded in relationship, respect, and real conversation.

And we are just getting started.

If you work with young people ages 12–25, Open Doors can help you build the skills and confidence to engage youth in conversations that support their well-being, autonomy, and safety.

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