Since 1974, the Minnesota Prevention Resource Center, housed at ANSR, has hosted the annual Minnesota Prevention Program Sharing Conference to connect and engage prevention professionals around the state. The gathering is an opportunity for individuals from health departments, schools, nonprofit organizations and other groups involved in prevention work in Minnesota to come together, share ideas and learn from each other.
This year, the conference took place at Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake in Brainerd. The theme, “Support Connections. Build Prevention. Engage Communities,” focused on collaboration, expanding networks and supporting health and wellbeing through primary prevention.
In total, 258 people registered for the conference and 22 organizations set up exhibition booths. Rebecca Slaby, executive director of Amazeworks, kicked off the first day with her keynote session, “Creating Communities of Belonging as a Key Prevention Strategy.” On day two, a panel of experts discussed the changing landscape of cannabis legislation and prevention in Minnesota.
Fifty other speakers presented about their own prevention work and expertise in 26 breakout sessions across the two days. This includes three ANSR staff: Molly Schmidtke presented on the environmental impacts of tobacco product waste (left), Katie Engman presented on Benton County’s recent commercial tobacco ordinance and Elyse Levine Less presented on peer-to-peer vaping prevention strategies. All sessions were recorded to increase statewide access and will be available for registrants soon.
A big thank you to everyone who made this year’s conference such a huge success.
The 50th annual Minnesota Prevention Program Sharing Conference will be held on October 15-16, 2024 in St. Cloud. We hope to see you there! Contact madeline@ansrmn.org with any questions about the conference.