SWK X202 - Wired to Survive: Substance Use Neurobiology and Resilience for 988 Responders

This interactive webinar explores the neurobiology of substance use disorders and highlights dopamine, the brain’s reward pathway, and how different substances affect motivation and reinforcement. Participants examine how genetics, epigenetics and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) increase vulnerability to substance use, while trauma-informed and resilience-focused strategies help mitigate risk. The program emphasizes practical applications for fostering protective factors, supporting recovery and using person-first, strengths-based language. Participants also reflect on the narratives they tell themselves about the people they serve and learn strategies to reframe these perspectives in ways that promote empathy and effectiveness. Through polls, reflection prompts and interactive exercises, participants leave with a clearer understanding of both risk and resilience in substance use disorders. By integrating neurobiology with practical, perspective-focused tools, the webinar equips 988 responders to support callers with confidence and compassion.

What You’ll Learn

• Explain the role of dopamine and the brain’s reward pathway in substance use disorders.
• Analyze how epigenetics, ACEs and environmental factors contribute to vulnerability and risk for substance use disorders.
• Apply trauma-informed and trauma-responsive principles to support resilience, protective factors and person-first approaches in treatment and prevention.
• Identify strategies to build and strengthen resilience and protective factors that mitigate risky substance use and the development of substance use disorders.

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 C1 – substance use disorder & recovery knowledge (1.75) and C2 – counseling procedures and strategies as applied to those with substance use disorder (1) in the state of Ohio.

Additional Information

Development Date: January 2026

Target Audience: 988 crisis call line staff and other human services professionals

Content Level: Intermediate

Training Outline:

• Central nervous system regulation activity
• Dopamine and the brain’s reward pathway
• Basic overview of epigenetics & risk factors
• Resilience and trauma-informed care

Presenter: Kelly Steel, MSW, LISW-S
Founder of Steel Balanced Collective LLC

Kelly Steel, MSW, LISW-S, is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of Steel Balanced Collective LLC, where she provides clinical supervision and offers teaching and consultation on integrated behavioral health services rooted in trauma-informed, person-centered care. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in supporting individuals with mental health conditions, substance use disorders and complex co-occurring health challenges. She currently serves as a clinical care coordinator and behavioral health program manager at Southeast Healthcare and as a community lecturer at The Ohio State University College of Social Work. She is deeply committed to advancing trauma-responsive practices across systems and has led impactful initiatives, including the successful implementation of a $1.5 million Medication-Assisted Treatment program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to expand access to evidence-based substance use treatment in primary care. She has built a reputation as a trusted educator, supervisor and systems-level collaborator. She has contributed to regional health initiatives through leadership roles in the Columbus & Franklin County Addiction Plan and mentors emerging clinicians while also shaping innovative behavioral health programming.

Continuing Education Approvals

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 College of Social Work maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 4/30/25-4/30/28. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.    

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. 

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.

Submit an enrollment inquiry

If you have any questions, concerns or feedback about the training content or delivery format, please contact the 988 training team at 988trainings@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.

Email: 988trainings@osu.edu
Website: csw.osu.edu/continuing-education/988-lifeline-series