"Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)”, Daniel Santisteben, PhD, PI

SBIRT (Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment) is an evidence based intervention designed: 1) to identify problem drinking and the abuse of illicit or prescription medication and 2) to counsel the patient in a way that elicits motivation to change the unhealthy behavior.


The 3 year training grant received from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) funds SBIRT and Motivational Interviewing training to a diverse set of approximately 450 healthcare students and healthcare workers per year in the classroom and in practice settings. The SBIRT training program is designed to enhance the skills of nurses, nursing students, medical residents, social workers, and counselors to identify and treat unhealthy substance use behaviors that don't yet meet criteria for addiction. Partners include the UM School of Education, the FIU School of Public Health and Social Work, the University of Miami Hospital, Connect Familias, and Saint John Bosco Clinic.