SWK X009 - On the Spot Support: Practical Strategies for Substance Use and Family Needs
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are complex and often require long-term intervention, yet many professionals find themselves in situations where time is limited and traditional therapy is not an option. This training will equip participants with practical, evidence-based approaches to effectively engage individuals struggling with substance misuse, even in brief encounters or phone conversations. Participants will also explore best practices for supporting families and loved ones who are navigating the challenges of addiction. Through interactive discussions and case-based learning, this training provides actionable strategies for engaging individuals in meaningful conversations about their substance use. The training provides tips to strengthen motivation for change and foster a supportive environment for family members. Attendees will leave with practical tools for immediate application in their work, whether in crisis response, case management or clinical settings.
Delivery Options
This training is constructed as a non-interactive, video-based asynchronous distance learning training.
Time to Completion
Total Asynchronous Time is approximately 2.75 hours.
Training Completion Requirements
- Participants must submit a pre-training survey, complete all coursework requirements, and pass the training post-test with a score of at least 80%. Unlimited attempts are allowed.
- The post-training evaluation survey will be immediately available once the required coursework and post-test are finished, and the evaluation must be completed to receive CE credit.
Technology Requirements
- Reliable internet connection
- Modern web browser (Google Chrome or Firefox recommended)
What You'll Learn
After completing this training, participants will be able to...
- Describe at least three brief intervention strategies that can be used to address substance misuse in non-traditional therapy settings.
- Apply motivational interviewing and harm reduction techniques in short encounters, including phone-based interactions.
- Evaluate effective approaches for supporters and identify ways to empower loved ones to navigate the challenges of supporting someone with a substance use disorder.
What You'll Earn
Social workers completing this training will receive 2.75 clinical continuing education clock hours under ACE.
This training is approved for 2.75 CE clock hours for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, as well as substance use counselors in domains C2 - counseling procedures and strategies as applied to those with substance use disorder (1.5) and C5 - family dynamics (1.25) in the state of Ohio.
Additional Information
Development Date: April 2025
Target Audience: 988 crisis call line staff and other human services professionals
Content Level: Beginner
Training Outline
- Introduction to substance use challenges, best practices for engaging individuals and brief interventions and motivational strategies
- Applying evidence-based approaches on the phone and during short-term encounters (case scenarios and practice)
- Understanding family roles and common challenges in supporting a loved one with SUDs
- Strategies for supporting families: Psychoeducation, boundaries and referral pathways
Presenter
Jimmy Portner, LISW-S, LICDC-CS
Community Lecturer, The Ohio State University
Jimmy Portner, LISW-S, LICDC-CS, has been a social worker in mental health and substance use for 20 years, focusing on advancing evidence-based practices. He is accomplished in Motivational Interviewing (MI), clinical settings, teaching and research, bringing over a decade of leadership experience in the national MI VA program. A member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, Portner has extensive expertise in the core components of MI, fidelity assessment and effective delivery methods. Portner is also a certified trainer and provider of Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT), a treatment targeting emotional overcontrol. Since 2014, he has practiced and taught RO-DBT, specializing in its application to complex, treatment-resistant cases. For over a decade, Portner has been a community lecturer at The Ohio State University College of Social Work. His professional interests include the intersection of culture and mental health, social signaling and innovative approaches to challenging conditions. Outside of work, Portner enjoys time with his wife, a fellow social worker, and their two children. He is dedicated to fostering connection and understanding, balancing leadership and mentoring with his passion for supporting the next generation of social workers.
Continuing Education Approvals
The Ohio State University College of Social Work provides approvals for continuing education for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists that are accepted by the state of Ohio Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist (CSWMFT) Board.
The Ohio State University College of Social Work has been approved by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals (CDP) Board as a provider of Continuing Education, approval number: 50-24068.
The Ohio State University College of Social Work, (Provider: 1628), is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The Ohio State University College of Social Work maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 4/30/25-4/30/28. Social workers completing this course will receive 2.75 clinical continuing education credits.
Certificates & CE Reporting
CE certificates will be available for download in your learner portal within 1 business day after submitting the evaluation survey.
Hours for those with Ohio licenses that are submitted with the evaluation survey will be reported to CE Broker every 14 days (twice per month).
⚠️ Note: You may only complete this training once for CE credit. You may revisit the content, but only one certificate will be issued and credit will only be reported to CE Broker one time.
Cancellations, Refunds, Grievances, Accessibility Requests & Learning
Please visit the Policies section of our website for more information on our processes for cancellations, refunds, grievances, training completions & certificates, participant conduct, and accessibility requests and learning accommodations.
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you require an accommodation to participate in this training, please contact CSW Accessibility as early as possible and in advance of the training start date by email at csw-accessibility@osu.edu or call 614-688-1657. Requests received at least 14-days prior to the date you plan to begin a training will generally allow us to provide seamless access, but the College will make every effort to meet requests that we receive regardless of lead time.
Contact Us
For questions about the enrollment process, payment options, technology, or training records, please submit an inquiry and our Enrollment Support team will assist you within 24 hours during business days.
If you have any questions, concerns or feedback about the training content or delivery format, please contact the CSW Office of Continuing Education at cswce@osu.edu. For questions related to the training content, our office will facilitate communication with the training instructor on your behalf and connect you, if applicable. Presenter contact information will be provided within the training for questions, feedback, or comments.
The Ohio State University, College of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education, 302 Stillman Hall, 1947 College Road, Columbus, OH, 43210.
Phone: (614) 292-3032
Email: cswce@osu.edu
Website: csw.osu.edu/continuing-education/