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    • We are thrilled to introduce Adrienne Shilton, a dedicated member of the Open Doors Advisory Board. Adrienne brings a wealth of experience in public policy and a deep commitment to supporting youth and families in behavioral health and substance use disorder prevention. In this Q&A, Adrienne shares her journey, her role in advancing the goals of the HCAI SUD Training Program, and her vision for recovery. Dive into Adrienne's inspiring story and learn what motivates her to create meaningful change in the field of behavioral health. Can you tell us a little about your background and what inspired you to get involved in behavioral health and substance use disorder training? I was pursuing a degree in public policy when I got connected to the Prop 63 (the Mental Health Services Act) campaign in 2004, and I was inspired immediately. One of my first activities was to tour a program in Long Beach called The Village, an integrated homeless services program run by a non-profit in partnership with the county, and this was what the Mental Health Services Act was all about. When visiting, I saw people at different points in their recovery journeys, many of whom talked about how the program saved their lives. It was so meaningful, and I will never forget those stories. I particularly resonated with the fact that every area of government and policy touches on access to these behavioral health services. I loved the idea of impacting across multiple points in the system. What is your current role and how does it relate to the goals of the HCAI SUD Training Program “Open Doors”? My current role is overseeing an amazing policy team at the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, working every day to break down access barriers for our most vulnerable children, youth, and families. Going into the Open Doors project, we’ll be putting pieces together on broadening our reach to adults working with youth, building a training curriculum for prevention and support. It will take all of our organizations working together to make this vision a reality. What motivated you to join the advisory board for this initiative? I am motivated by stories from the field including youth with lived experience, and I see this project as grounded in that. Every day, we are trying to create programs that are more innovative, that allow us to intervene earlier in someone’s life, etc. and stories of recovery from youth keep me going. I have to remember the lived experience piece a lot, and talk to family members, because it’s easy to forget when we’re bogged down in details and frustrations. At the end of the day, lots of organizations working in behavioral health have the same goals, but how we get there can vary. Finish this sentence: "Recovery is . . ." Recovery is a journey. There is no one “right” path or approach. What matters is that we are stepping up and doing more to support young people who are suffering. We want to intervene with young people before substance use has created a different life for them.
    December 9, 2024 | ,

    Meet Adrienne Shilton: Open Doors Advisory Board Member

    We are thrilled to introduce Adrienne Shilton, a dedicated member of the Open Doors Advisory Board. Adrienne brings a wealth of experience in public policy and a deep commitment to supporting youth and families in behavioral health and substance use disorder prevention. In this Q&A, Adrienne shares her journey, her role in advancing the goals…

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    teens talking in front of lockers
    October 16, 2024 |

    Governor Newsom Signs AB 2711 and SB 997: Advancing Public Health Approach to Drug Infractions in Schools 

    The signing of Assembly Bill 2711 and Senate Bill 997 by Governor Gavin Newsom marks a transformative moment for California’s schools, ushering in a new era where drug- related infractions will be addressed through harm reduction and a public health approach rather than ineffective punitive measures such as suspensions and expulsions. The Open Doors Training website will serve as a central hub for information, providing updates on the development of the training program, resources for those working with youth, and avenues for community involvement.

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    Open Doors logo
    September 30, 2024 |

    New Website Launch Empowers Community to Combat Youth Substance Abuse Through Accessible Training Program 

    The California Dept. of Health Care Access and Information, in partnership with the Catalyst Center, CAADPE, and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, proudly announces the launch of the Open Doors Training website, central hub for information about the training program, resources for those working with youth, and avenues for community involvement.

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    3 partner logos: CAADPE, Catalyst Center, National Council
    May 28, 2024 |

    Groundbreaking Partnership Aims to Combat Youth Substance Abuse and Overdose Deaths in California

    Through a dynamic partnership funded by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information, the California Alliance of Child and Family Services’ Catalyst Center, the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives, Inc. (CAADPE), and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing (National Council), we aim to address the urgent need for non-medical personnel…

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