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

CPA Southeast Region Meetings

Connect, collaborate, and learn with prevention professionals from across Pennsylvania’s Southeast Region!

CPA’s Southeast Region meetings provide opportunities to share updates, explore emerging prevention topics, exchange ideas, and strengthen connections with colleagues and state partners.

Upcoming 2027 Meetings

Monday, February 22, 2027
Virtual Meeting

Monday, May 17, 2027
In-Person Meeting

We will announce additional details, including meeting times, locations, featured topics, and registration information, as they become available.

Attending CPA regional meetings is free.

Highlights from Our October 2026 Meeting

Our October 19 virtual meeting featured “Creating Tech-Savvy Kids: Examining Prevention Education Programs for Elementary, Middle, and High School Students.”
Presenter: Leslie Houck, Berks County Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA).

The session focused on helping young people develop healthy digital habits through prevention education. Topics included gaming, social media, online behaviors, and age-appropriate strategies for elementary, middle, and high school students.

The meeting also included updates from state partners and opportunities for networking and discussion among Southeast Region prevention professionals.

Stay Connected

Check back for updates on our 2027 meetings, including featured presentations and registration details. We look forward to continuing to learn, share, and connect with prevention professionals throughout the 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.

1. To learn the definition of gaming and gambling
2. To learn the different stages of substance use disorder
3. To educate on how video games teach our youth how to gamble
4. 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

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.