FTA will be hosting the 3rd Annual Drug and Alcohol Program National Conference on April 30 - May 1, 2008. Sheraton Safari 12205 S. Apopka-Vineland Road Orlando, Florida Attendees are responsible to make hotel reservations.

This free two-day conference will include speakers from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Office of the Secretary's Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC), FTA auditors, FTA Drug and Alcohol MIS Program and Newsletter staff, and professionals from the DOT Drug and Alcohol testing industry (including a Medical Review Officer, Substance Abuse Professional, Urine Collector, Breath Alcohol Technician, and representatives from State DOTs, and both rural and large transit systems). The conference will consist of a number of courses as well as panel discussions on a variety of current topics and issues. Registration for the Conference as well as the wait list are both full, and registration is closed. Additionally, members of the FTA Audit, MIS Team and various subject matter experts will be available throughout the conference to review transit employers' policies, annual MIS reports and will be available to answer regulatory and other questions and provide assistance. All speakers will be available at a scheduled time before or after their sessions to answer your specific questions. This year, panel discussions have been added. These facilitated sessions will have two or three panelists at the front of the classroom who will talk about their experience and it will be run like a question and answer session, designed to promote best practices sharing and networking opportunities. View this year's agenda The following 90-minute sessions and panel discussions will be offered. Multiple sessions and panel discussions will run concurrently throughout the two day Conference: How to Review your Collection Site for Compliance Panel Discussion: Operational Issues Small Systems Face New Drug and Alcohol Program Manager (DAPM) Training *Pre-registration is required to attend this course* Reasonable Suspicion Training (2 hour course - will fulfill requirement for 2 hour mandatory training) *Pre-registration is required to attend this course* Panel Discussion: The Audit Process Best Practices Panel Discussion: Operational Issues Large Systems Face Post-Accident Thresholds The Role of the Medical Review Officer (MRO) Panel Discussion: State DOTs: How to Manage your Program FTA versus FMCSA: A Regulatory Comparison Panel Discussion: The Role of a TPA The Role of the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) Mock Collection and EBT Demonstration How to Develop an In-house Training Program Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications *Important: The following two sessions require pre-registration and are on a first come first serve basis as space is limited. New Drug & Alcohol Program Manager (DAPM) Training - This 2 1/2 hour class will run the entire morning of Day 1. Reasonable Suspicion Training - This will satisfy 49 CFR Part 655 minimum training requirements. Certificates will be granted to all individuals that complete the 2-hour course. If you plan on attending the Post-Accident Thresholds Course please bring several blank copies of your Post-Accident Report Forms to record the post-accident scenarios that will be presented. Note: Courses subject to change Click here to see presentations from the 3rd Annual Drug and Alcohol Program National Conference. Please join us for a "Peer Social" on Wednesday April 30th 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM On-site at the hotel, in the Courtyard Cabana.   ~Light refreshments and cash bar~ On-site registration will be available on Tuesday, April 29 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM and Wednesday, April 30th from 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact The FTA Drug and Alcohol Team at (617) 494-6336 or email us at FTA.DAMIS@Volpe.Dot.Gov Hotel Info: The Sheraton Safari, where the conference is being held, is holding a limited number of rooms at a special room rate of $99 per night, available until March 29, 2008. You must reference the FTA Drug and Alcohol Conference to receive this rate. The Sheraton Safari's telephone number is: 888-354-1356 or 407-239-0444 Website: www.sheratonsafari.com The following hotels, and many others, are located near the Sheraton Safari Hotel: Country Inn and Suites (407) 239-1115   Holiday Inn Express Lake Buena Vista (877) 410-6681   Staybridge Suites (407) 328-0777 View this year's agenda. Registration for the Conference as well as the wait list are both full, and registration is closed.