The Counseling & Social Work Department at Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary & Graduate School will host a free seminar in September to introduce attendees to the idea of using the evidence-based community intervention model called the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) to address communities in crisis.
Set for 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 15 in Teague Learning Commons on LBC | Capital’s Lancaster campus at 901 Eden Road or virtually, the “Reaching Communities in Crisis” event will present the SPF model through a Christian lens.
The seminar’s keynote speaker, Zachary Mahon, in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has successfully used this model to provide training to churches and other community partners to address his community’s needs related to substance use, mental illness, food insecurity and homelessness. Through his work with the SPF, Mahon has seen an increase in his ability to reach members of his community through partnerships in local school districts, police departments, local government and other nonprofit organizations.
Unfortunately, communities have become compartmentalized and disunified, which has proven to be a barrier to community health. As mental health professionals begin to use the SPF to understand the communities in which they work and live, they will be better equipped to reduce the problems within communities and begin to work as one holistic body. Through a faith-based perspective, Mahon will present how practitioners can begin to understand how communities can use the SPF model to support those in need.
Upon completion of this training, for which three Continuing Education Credits are also available, participants will be able to:
- Identify and develop strategic relationships to seek the overall health of a community.
- Identify risk and protective factors contributing toward a community’s overall health.
- Develop better strategies by understanding root causes and local conditions of problems.
Mahon serves as the Minister to Families at Compass Fellowship Church in Morrisville, Pa. He and his wife, Rebecca, regularly work with students, young adults, engaged couples and families with young children in both religious and non-religious capacities. He also is the director of the Solid Rock Youth Center in Morrisville and has worked throughout Bucks County to help churches and faith-based organizations partner with community members and local schools to form coalitions.
Additionally, Zach and Rebecca founded Kalos Strateia Consulting with a goal to bridge the gap between faith-based organizations and their communities. After graduating with honors from Cairn University, Mahon served in church ministry positions and community-based prevention organizations. The overlap between the missions of these organizations sparked his passion to see effective ministry happening in communities by meeting real needs and opening doors to spreading the gospel in new ways. With this passion in mind, he sought out a partnership and grant with SAMHSA to provide the SPF training through a Christian lens. Mahon is currently the only trainer in the region for this partnership.
Seating for the workshop is limited, and registration required at bit.ly/community-seminar-2023; registration closes Sept. 8. For more information, contact Dr. Day Butcher at dbutcher@lbc.edu.