CPA is expanding from 4 regions to 6 new regions to better meet the needs of prevention professionals across Pennsylvania’s large and diverse communities. Regional meetings will be scheduled to provide accessible, local opportunities for collaboration.
These meetings will offer prevention professionals the chance to:
- Share and learn innovative strategies that are working in communities like yours
- Build meaningful networks with peers across the region
- Explore funding opportunities and resources to support local initiatives
- Discuss challenges and identify solutions with colleagues and experts
Our goal is to create a more connected, resource-rich environment for prevention professionals, ensuring support, ideas, and opportunities are available no matter where you work in the state.
Join us in your region to connect, collaborate, and strengthen prevention in your community. We’ll announce meeting dates and locations below.
CPA Southeast Region Meeting
Monday, October 19, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Virtual Meeting
Featured Session
Creating Tech-Savvy Kids: Examining Prevention Education Programs for Elementary, Middle, and High School Students
Presented by: Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA), Berks County
Helping Students Build Healthy Digital Habits.
Technology is an increasingly important part of young people’s lives. This session equips educators and prevention professionals with practical strategies to help students develop a healthy, balanced relationship with technology.
Participants will explore current trends in gaming, social media, and online behavior and examine prevention education approaches for students across elementary, middle, and high school settings. Participants will leave with practical tools and conversation starters to help students make informed, responsible choices and build healthy technology habits both in and out of the classroom.
Meeting Agenda
10:00 – 10:30 AM
Welcome & State Partner Updates
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Creating Tech-Savvy Kids, Presented by the Council on Chemical Abuse, Berks County
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Breakout & Networking
Registration
There is no cost to attend. Please register so we can plan accordingly.
We hope you will join us for this opportunity to learn, share, and connect with prevention professionals from across the Southeast Region.
CPA Northeast Region Meeting
Monday, November 16, 2026
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
In-Person / East Stroudsburg (location & address are listed after the agenda)
A light breakfast and lunch are included
Featured Session
Gambling and Gaming
Presented by: Jessica Budzak*, Prevention Professional and Lead SAP Trainer, Luzerne County
This session will explore gambling and gaming as emerging prevention issues, with a focus on their impact on young people. Gambling and gaming are among the most popular ways our youth learn to gamble. A discussion of video games, the definition of gambling, and how kids are learning when they play video games that relate to gambling. Education on the Stages of Substance Use Disorder, which relates to gambling and gaming, along with the changes in gaming throughout the years, will be discussed.
-
To learn the definition of gaming and gambling
-
To learn the different stages of substance use disorder
-
To educate on how video games teach our youth how to gamble
-
To understand how our youth are drawn to gambling in video games
Meeting Agenda
10:00 – 10:45 AM
Light Breakfast, Networking & Welcome
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Gambling and Gaming
Presented by Jessica Budzak, Prevention Professional and Lead SAP Trainer, Luzerne County
12:00 – 12:30 PM
Lunch & Networking
12:30 – 1:00 PM
CPA & Partner Updates
Middle Smithfield Township Cultural Center
147 Municipal Drive
East Stroudsburg, PA 18302
Registration
There is no cost to attend. Please register so we can plan lunch accordingly.
We hope you will join us for this opportunity to learn, share, and connect with prevention professionals from across the Northeast Region.
*Jessica Budzak has dedicated the past 25 years to drug and alcohol prevention. She earned bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Sociology from King’s College. After completing an internship in the drug and alcohol field, she spent two years working in clinical services before transitioning to prevention, where she has continued her career. Jessica earned her Certification in Prevention and completed her master’s degree and Trauma Certificate from Widener University. She currently contracts with the second-largest school district in Luzerne County, providing education to students in grades 3–8 on the dangers and impacts of drugs, alcohol, and gambling. She also serves on the Student Assistance Program (SAP) teams for four of the district’s seven schools and is a Lead SAP Trainer for Pennsylvania.