Mindfulness News Post Archives

Using Opioid Settlement Funds to Strengthen Youth Prevention Programs

Elizabeth Porter2026-03-12T21:31:30+00:00

March 12, 2026, Durham, NC – States, counties, and community organizations across the United States are receiving opioid settlement funds intended to address the long-term impacts of the opioid crisis. While many communities are investing these resources in treatment and recovery services, prevention remains a critical part of reducing future substance misuse. For organizations responsible for allocating opioid settlement funding, prevention programs that build knowledge, skills, and protective factors among youth can play an important role in addressing substance misuse before it begins. Evidence-based prevention programs implemented in schools, afterschool programs, and community organizations can help communities make strategic use [...]

Using Opioid Settlement Funds to Strengthen Youth Prevention ProgramsElizabeth Porter2026-03-12T21:31:30+00:00

Available Now! Web-Based Mindfulness Program for Adolescents with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

Elizabeth Porter2026-02-19T19:47:52+00:00

January 14, 2026, Durham, NC – iRT is pleased to release the Aware Program for Teens with 22q11DS, a web-based, mindfulness training program designed to enhance the daily functioning of adolescents with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11DS). Why is this program important? Adolescents with 22q11DS tend to experience high levels of anxiety as well as challenges in social situations; however, few behavioral interventions have been developed to help this group of youth handle these challenges. Researchers and developers from iRT created the Aware Program for Teens with 22q11DS to fill the gap in resources for young people with 22q11DS. The program [...]

Available Now! Web-Based Mindfulness Program for Adolescents with 22q11.2 Deletion SyndromeElizabeth Porter2026-02-19T19:47:52+00:00

Addressing the Nationwide Addiction Crisis with Media Literacy Education, Mentoring, Mindfulness, and More

Elizabeth Porter2024-01-21T01:00:53+00:00

January 17, 2024, Durham, NC – The federal government and medical facilities across the United States have made substantial efforts to impede growth of the national opioid crisis, but trends in substance use have evolved in recent years making it increasingly difficult to thwart the addiction crisis. Updates on the decades-long opioid epidemic and prevention efforts have consistently made headlines as millions of Americans have faced opioid use disorders in the last three years. However, as rates of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl use continue to climb, it is vital to spread awareness of the pervasiveness of polysubstance use, in addition to [...]

Addressing the Nationwide Addiction Crisis with Media Literacy Education, Mentoring, Mindfulness, and MoreElizabeth Porter2024-01-21T01:00:53+00:00

iRT Researchers Lead a Session on Substance Misuse for Youth at the Teaming with Teens Event

Elizabeth Porter2023-07-19T17:25:04+00:00

May 22, 2023, Durham, NC – iRT Research Scientists Drs. Alison Parker, Allison Schmidt, and Rebecca Stelter presented at the 2023 Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina Teaming with Teens virtual event on May 6. The Teaming with Teens event brings child welfare professionals, caregivers, youth, and young adults together to discuss topics that impact youth in foster care. The focus of the May event was on substance misuse. As part of the Teaming with Teens event, iRT’s experts led a 2-hour session for youth and young adults entitled “Making Healthy Choices as a Teen/Young Adult.” 230 youth and young [...]

iRT Researchers Lead a Session on Substance Misuse for Youth at the Teaming with Teens EventElizabeth Porter2023-07-19T17:25:04+00:00

Dr. Parker Appointed to NCFASD Informed Board of Directors

IRT Inc2021-04-22T20:11:26+00:00

Durham, NC, March 25, 2021 - innovation Research & Training is ecstatic to announce Dr. Alison Parker’s appointment to the NCFASD Informed Board of Directors. NCFASD Informed is a non-profit organization of all volunteers with the mission “to create FASD informed communities to empower individuals impacted by prenatal exposure to alcohol.” The organization is dedicated to raising awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the community; this awareness may lead to an increase in the number of diagnostic opportunities for individuals with FASD as well as support and resources for individuals and their families. Dr. Parker is a Research Scientist [...]

Dr. Parker Appointed to NCFASD Informed Board of DirectorsIRT Inc2021-04-22T20:11:26+00:00

iRT Represents Prevention Central Suite At National Anti-Drug Forum

IRT Inc2023-01-11T21:22:13+00:00

Representing a suite of prevention products hosted on the Prevention Central website (www.PreventionCentral.net), researchers from innovation Research & Training (iRT) attended the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Leadership Forum in National Harbor, MD, from February 4th to 7th, 2019. Representing a suite of prevention products hosted on the Prevention Central...

iRT Represents Prevention Central Suite At National Anti-Drug ForumIRT Inc2023-01-11T21:22:13+00:00

iRT To Develop New Mindfulness Program For Youth With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

IRT Inc2023-01-11T21:26:01+00:00

iRT was awarded a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) to develop an online mindfulness training program, specifically developed for use by adolescents with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). iRT was awarded a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) to develop...

iRT To Develop New Mindfulness Program For Youth With 22q11.2 Deletion SyndromeIRT Inc2023-01-11T21:26:01+00:00

iRT Partners with UNC-Chapel Hill on Prestigious Internship Program

IRT Inc2020-12-29T16:54:58+00:00

Durham, NC, April 13, 2015—innovation Research & Training (iRT), a behavioral sciences research company, today announced an alliance with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for a prestigious psychology internship program. Durham, NC, April 13, 2015—innovation Research & Training (iRT), a behavioral sciences research company, today announced an alliance...

iRT Partners with UNC-Chapel Hill on Prestigious Internship ProgramIRT Inc2020-12-29T16:54:58+00:00

iRT Scientists to Present Research Findings, Prevention Programs at National Prevention Conference

IRT Inc2020-12-29T18:10:01+00:00

Durham, NC (September 12, 2014)—Scientists from innovation Research & Training (iRT) will be among researchers and practitioners presenting at the upcoming National Prevention Network annual research conference September 15-18 in Hartford, CT. Durham, NC (September 12, 2014)—Scientists from innovation Research & Training (IRT) will be among researchers and practitioners presenting at the...

iRT Scientists to Present Research Findings, Prevention Programs at National Prevention ConferenceIRT Inc2020-12-29T18:10:01+00:00

iRT Receives NICHD Award to Develop Mindfulness Education Program

IRT Inc2020-12-29T16:39:22+00:00

Durham, NC, June 10, 2014—innovation Research & Training (iRT), a behavioral sciences research company, today announced receipt of a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) to create and evaluate a mindfulness-based coping program for high school students. iRT Receives NICHD Award to...

iRT Receives NICHD Award to Develop Mindfulness Education ProgramIRT Inc2020-12-29T16:39:22+00:00