SSD Consulting

09/10/2026

I am excited and proud to announce the release of my first children's book! I wrote it quite a while ago, but thanks to my niece, Emily Thurber, I finally finalized the artwork and layout and put it all together. It is currently available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback formats, and the hardcover version is coming soon. It's a story about the fun my sister, Leslie Thurber, and I had as kids while caring for our favorite mother cat and her five kittens. It's a great story to help young children learn to love and care for animals. It may be different from what I usually write, publish, and share, but it is definitely the most fun read.

Consider it a great Christmas gift for your young children or grandchildren: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HKCMF15V.

30/09/2026

I am honored to present my research again this year at the 7th Edition of Global Conference on Addiction Medicine in Boston. I am also honored to assist and serve as a conference moderator.

✨ Presenter Spotlight — .s.dixon.3!

We are pleased to feature from SSD Consulting, United States, as an Oral Presenter (In-Person) at the 7th Edition of Global Conference on Addiction Conference, hosted by Magnus Group!

Stephanie Schweitzer Dixon will present:
“Suicide prevention strategies for the law enforcement profession”

The presentation will contribute to discussions on su***de prevention, behavioral health, mental health, and strategies relevant to the law enforcement profession.

📅 October 19–21, 2026
📍 Boston, Massachusetts, USA | Hybrid Event
🔗 https://addiction-behavioral-conferences.magnusgroup.org/register
📞 Phone: +1 (702) 988-2320
📱 WhatsApp: +1 (540) 709-1879

Join researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, academicians, and experts from around the world for knowledge exchange, scientific discussions, and meaningful professional connections at GAB 2026.

We look forward to welcoming Stephanie Schweitzer Dixon and all participating professionals to Boston!

29/09/2026

What part of the grant proposal is most difficult for you to write? I used to find the evaluation component and creating a logic model to accompany the proposal the most difficult. Others may find the budget the most challenging. As a peer reviewer, I have reviewed many well-written grant proposals, including the evaluation section. Interestingly, peer reviewers most often deduct points from the total allowable for the goals and objectives section. The goals are usually well-written and broadly describe what the applicant hopes to achieve with the proposed project. However, the objectives are typically the weakest component of the proposal. They often lack specificity, measurability, and time specificity. We have learned how objectives should be SMART. However, we now recommend making them SMARTIE.

I’m planning to create a short training on how to write goals and objectives, ensuring the objectives are SMARTIE. I am interested in learning from other professionals: do you struggle to write goals and objectives, or do you think what you write is specific and measurable, but the reviewers disagree and deduct points in this section of the proposal? If anyone wants to share their experiences, I would love to start a conversation about this topic.

15/09/2026

Yesterday, while watching television, I saw a commercial from a business that sells prescription medication online. In today's world, where the Internet dominates retail sales, people are likely to buy prescription medication online, often because the advertised price is so low. However, the dangers of buying medication through an online business (excluding ordering from CVS, Walgreens, or any reputable, licensed pharmacy) far outweigh the benefits of saving a few dollars. Do you know for certain you are getting that medication in its potent, regulated quantity? Do you know for certain you are even getting the medication at all? Illegal online pharmacies may sell a mixture of counterfeit, diverted, unapproved, misbranded, or otherwise illegally dispensed medications. We cannot determine how many counterfeit pills are sold every year because these businesses are operating illegally. However, here are some frightening statistics about illegal online pharmacies:
💊 In 2024, the CDC reported that a DOJ investigation identified illegal online pharmacies that had manufactured and shipped millions of counterfeit prescription pills to tens of thousands of Americans. These pills were sold as medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam/Xanax, and stimulants but frequently contained fentanyl or methamphetamine.
💻 Nearly 95% of websites offering prescription-only drugs online operate illegally, according to the CDC and National Association of Boards of Pharmacy statistics.
💊 The DEA reports that 5 out of every 10 fentanyl-containing counterfeit pills tested by the DEA contain a potentially lethal dose, and people don't necessarily know they're purchasing fentanyl. Counterfeit pills are made to resemble medications such as oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and Adderall.

My opioid awareness training discusses these risks and how this is happening, resulting in overdose deaths. Learn about these risks and the importance of avoiding these online purchases so you can prevent an overdose death. Take the course here: https://lnkd.in/gvNeT8yS.

21/08/2026

🚨 NEW COURSE Available: Behind the Submit Button:

What Grant Peer Reviewers Really Look For: You submitted the grant. Congratulations 🎉...

But Now what?

For many applicants, the review process feels like a black box. Months can pass between submission and a funding decision, leaving organizations wondering what reviewers noticed, where they lost points, and why a strong proposal may still go unfunded.

That’s exactly why we created this course. "Behind the Submit Button: What Grant Peer Reviewers Really Look For" gives you an insider’s view of the grant review process from the perspective of experienced federal and state peer reviewers. In this course, you’ll learn:

🔹 How reviewers evaluate and score grant applications
🔹 What separates high-scoring proposals from average ones
🔹 Common mistakes that quietly cost applicants points
🔹 What reviewers look for in your narrative, budget, and supporting documentation
🔹 Why strong proposals can still miss out on funding
🔹 Practical strategies to strengthen your next submission

You can’t control how many organizations apply. You can’t control how much funding is available. But you can control how clearly, strategically, and convincingly your proposal makes the case for funding.

If your organization is serious about improving its grant strategy, this course will help you see the process from the reviewer’s side of the table.

📘 New Course: "Behind the Submit Button: What Grant Peer Reviewers Really Look For"

Available now: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g67Npbvp

21/08/2026

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the national observance, led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Facing Fetanyl, which honors and remembers the lives lost to fentanyl poisoning. Learn how you can help prevent fetanyl overdose deaths. My training is available at: ssd-consulting.com/courses. Act now to save a life!

19/08/2026

I
🚀 **Introducing SSD Consulting’s Virtual Lunch & Learn Series!**

Whether you’re new to grant writing or ready to sharpen your competitive edge, these live virtual trainings are designed to help you build stronger proposals and pursue funding with greater confidence.

📘 **Grant Writing 101**
Learn the fundamentals of grant writing and build a strong foundation for securing funding.

📅 Thursdays: **October 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2026**
⏰ 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

📈 **Advanced Grant Writing**
Take your skills to the next level with advanced strategies for developing competitive grant proposals.

📅 Tuesdays: **November 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2026**
⏰ 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

🎓 SSD Consulting is also a provider of training sessions accepted through the **Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI) Accepted Education Program**, giving eligible participants the opportunity to earn education points toward obtaining or maintaining the GPC credential.

**2 powerful trainings. 1 valuable investment in your grant writing skills.**

💻 Learn more and register:
https://ssd-consulting.com/courses

07/08/2026

🚨 NEW COURSE Available at the end of August: Behind the Submit Button: What Grant Peer Reviewers Really Look For:

You submitted the grant. Congratulations... Now what?

For many applicants, the review process feels like a black box. Months can pass between submission and a funding decision, leaving organizations wondering what reviewers noticed, where points were lost, and why a strong proposal may still go unfunded.

That’s exactly why we created this course. "Behind the Submit Button: What Grant Peer Reviewers Really Look For," gives you an insider’s view of the grant review process from the perspective of experienced federal and state peer review.

In this course, you’ll learn:
🔹 How reviewers evaluate and score grant applications
🔹 What separates high-scoring proposals from average ones
🔹 Common mistakes that quietly cost applicants points
🔹 What reviewers look for in your narrative, budget, and supporting documentation
🔹 Why strong proposals can still miss out on funding
🔹 Practical strategies to strengthen your next submission

You can’t control how many organizations apply. You can’t control how much funding is available. But you can control how clearly, strategically, and convincingly your proposal makes the case for funding.

If your organization is serious about improving its grant strategy, this course is designed to help you see the process from the reviewer’s side of the table.

📘 New Course: "Behind the Submit Button: What Grant Peer Reviewers Really Look For" Available at the end of August.

🔗 https://lnkd.in/dN_GSeer

07/08/2026

What happens after a grant application is submitted?

For many organizations, that part of the process can feel like a black box.

Months may pass between submission and a funding decision—but behind the scenes, peer reviewers are evaluating each application against specific criteria, scoring narratives, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and comparing proposals in an often highly competitive funding environment.

Our latest article, “Behind the Submit Button: What Grant Peer Reviewers Really Look For,” offers an insider’s perspective on the review process and explores:

🔹 What reviewers pay attention to when evaluating proposals
🔹 What separates high-scoring applications from average ones
🔹 Common issues that can quietly cost valuable points
🔹 Why strong proposals may still go unfunded
🔹 Practical ways organizations can strengthen future submissions

A strong grant strategy isn’t just about writing well. It’s about understanding how your proposal will be read, evaluated, and scored.

You may not be able to control the competition or the amount of funding available—but you can improve how clearly and convincingly your organization makes its case.

📖 Read the full article: https://ssd-consulting.com/insights/behind-the-submit-button-what-grant-peer-reviewers-look-for

21/07/2026

Massachusetts employers can receive grant funding from the Commonwealth Corporation to pay for staff training, including the Mental Health First Aid training from the National Council on Mental Wellbeing, which I teach. As a registered and preferred trainer on the grant program's list of statewide approved trainers, you can receive grant funding to pay the cost of the training. Reach out to me at [email protected] for more information, or visit my website to learn more about my trainings and services: www.ssd-consulting.com.