The New England ATTC is partnering with New Life Ministries II, Connecticut’s first Black-owned, faith-based, and peer-led recovery organization, to certify peers as Integrated Healing Facilitators (IHFs). IHFs are people who are in recovery and have been trained to use their life experiences as tools to assist individuals in all stages of their recovery. IHFs are available for one-to-one support to meet with an individual struggling with an addiction, mental health, or reentry-related issue. 

In July of 2024, 25 members of the faith-based, peer-recovery community received intensive training from New Life Ministries II and the New England ATTC to continue to build the capacity of the IHF program.

The New England ATTC and New England Opioid Response Network(ORN) have joined forces to organize a three-part training series at Casa Esperanza. This series will focus on the connection between substance use and health disparities, aiming to enhance the workforce's ability to tackle health inequities through the use of inclusive language and practices. Leading this initiative will be New England ATTC's Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, David Zelaya, PhD, and ORN health equity specialist Andrianna Maldonado, MA, Ed.M. Both experts bring extensive experience in developing and implementing evidence-based, inclusive, and equitable programs, with a specific focus on LGBTQ2SP+ and Latinx communities. Together, we aim to foster more inclusive and equitable workplaces for both staff and clients and to support organizational efforts towards health equity.

The New England ATTC is proud to partner with the Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) in Portland, Maine to provide state-of-the-art training and technical assistance in Motivational Interviewing throughout the New England region. Through the ATTC subcontract, HETI has been collaborating with the Portland Recovery Community Center to train residents at the Maine Department of Corrections in the empathy and compassion-based practice of Motivational Interviewing. One resident in particular, who is currently pursuing a degree at the University of Maine Augusta in substance use disorder, has taken their passion for Motivational Interviewing and helping others to new heights by working with HETI as part of an internship for their degree.

This resident engages with Motivational Interviewing by attending HETI’s weekly Learning Communities where they practice their MI skills, attending weekly Men’s Support Groups, and offering 1-1 Coaching for other residents as a Recovery Coach and as part of his education endeavor. This resident’s engagement in this program is breaking barriers within correctional facilities by offering support to other residents, and this model has become so important to the Department of Corrections, that this resident is now offering his expertise and experience in this program to the Tennessee Department of Corrections statewide. This success highlights how integral Motivational Interviewing is in supporting those in the Department of Corrections, and how transformative it can be for future residents who want to work within the department as Recovery Coaches and MI experts to support their peers in finding empathy, compassion, and a deeper understanding for one another. 

New England ATTC Director Rosemarie A. Martin is taking part in SAMHSA’s 2024 Evidence-Based Practices Resources Center (EBPRC) Summit currently taking place in Rockville, MD (July 8-9^th). In her role as an invited attendee, Dr. Martin, alongside over 60 federal and non-federal attendees, will guide the growth of SAMHSA’s EBPRC and ensure that the activities align with SAMHSA’s Strategic Plan. Dr. Martin will provide guidance to the EBPRC based on her experience and perspective, as well as the perspective of our NE ATTC constituents.

Summit objectives are to:

• Identify focal topics for the EBPRC’s 2025 evidence dissemination efforts and the most appropriate methods for disseminating such evidence, based on existing discrepancies between behavioral health evidence and practice

• Guide development of a searchable evidence library of programs and/or practices

• Assess how the EBPRC can bridge gaps between behavioral health evidence and practice, and provide actionable guidance upon areas of improvement

Together, SAMHSA, Dr. Martin, and the other invited attendees work to amplify the EBPRC’s role as the trusted resource for helping the nation access information to expand the use of evidence-based behavioral health treatment, as well as community-based and culture-driven programs.

The 32nd Annual Annual Virtual New England School of Best Practices in Addiction Services will take place from August 26, 2024 – August 30, 2024.

The late summer Best Practices 5-day event gives addiction and behavioral health professionals the  opportunity for in-depth study of areas of special interest. The program includes offerings in advanced clinical treatment in best practices and evidence-based practices treatment  approaches, a track for psychologists and experienced counselors, an advanced prevention track, current and emerging topics, and clinical supervision.

Visit the website to learn more about this opportunity!