eNewsletter or Blog
This edition of the Mid-America ATTC newsletter highlights resources and events to support the behavioral health workforce, including Trauma-Informed Care requests, CLAS training opportunities, and harm reduction efforts in the Kansas City metro area. It also features holiday support toolkits, professional development resources, and a message of gratitude for those working in the field.
Published: November 21, 2024
Other
The attached practitioner-friendly report highlights findings from a national scan of probation and parole offices and staff was developed by New England ATTC Director, Rosemarie Martin, and the New England Region Opioid Response Network team in partnership with the American Correctional Association. Findings outlined in the attached report directly impacted the development of the HealtheKnowledge eLearning course, “Improving Outcomes for Individuals on Community-based Supervision with Opioid Use Disorders (OUD)” designed specifically for community supervision professionals and providers working with individuals with opioid and substance use under community supervision.
Published: July 1, 2024
Website
The New England ATTC, in partnership with Project MIMIC (Maximizing Implementation of Motivational Incentives in Clinics), has created a suite of contingency management training and technical assistance resources. The resources are broadly applicable, though likely to be especially relevant to opioid treatment programs. Specific resources include an overview of contingency management resources, an example contingency management session, a demonstration of how to track contingency management fidelity, and a discussion of how to design a contingency management protocol.
Resources can be found here: https://sites.brown.edu/projectmimic/training-materials/
Published: June 21, 2024
Website
The New England ATTC Co-Director, Dr. Sara Becker, has a Commentary out in Addiction titled, “Contingency Management Needs Implementation Science.” Dr. Becker was invited to contribute this commentary in recognition of her – and by extension the New England ATTC’s - reputation as a national leader in efforts to increase access to contingency management in specialty addiction treatment settings. This commentary asserts that efforts to increase access to contingency management must be informed by rigorous methods of implementation science.
Click here for access to the full text.
Published: June 17, 2024
Other
The New England ATTC held a Regional Advisory Board Meeting on 6/7/24 to share highlights over the reporting period and identify emergent areas of needs. Priority topics included advancing harm reduction throughout New England. The meeting minutes are available for download.
Published: June 7, 2024
eNewsletter or Blog
Third & Fourth Quarter Updates: April 2023 - September 2023
The goals of this newsletter are to share Regional Best Practices with regard to training and technical assistance (TA) initiatives, provide updates on regional strategic initiatives and curriculum development, and facilitate ongoing collaboration among state partners and programs. Please click here to view our collaborators over the prior reporting period.
View the Newsletter!
Published: March 31, 2024
Multimedia
In this virtual panel presentation, the 2024 Hall of Fame Award Recipients from the Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment, and Recovery will participate in a panel presentation discussing the importance of providing culturally-responsive care and ways practitioners can be more effective when working with African American clients.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this presentation, you will be able to:
Work more effectively with African American clients
Better provide cross-cultural care when working with African American clients
Be guided by research on best practices when providing culturally-responsive care in your work with African American clients
Articulate effective harm reduction strategies for African Americans with substance use disorders
PANELISTS:
Corrie Vilsaint, PhD
Dr. Vilsaint is the associate director of recovery health equity at the Recovery Research Institute and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. Her research focuses on addiction recovery capital, reducing discrimination among individuals in recovery, and racial health equity in remission and recovery. Dr. Vilsaint’s research is supported by the National Institute of Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol abuse and Alcoholism, and her work as a community psychologist has been awarded by the American Psychological Association.
Fred Dyer, PhD, LADC
Dr. Dyer is a practitioner, presenter, consultant, and writer specializing in providing culturally responsive treatment for African American adolescents, emerging adults, and emerging adult refugees. Dr. Dyer has over 100 scholarly publications on the treatment of mental health, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders for African American adolescents and emerging adults. He is also the executive director of Hope Recovery Center and a recipient of the key to the city for Laurel, Mississippi—an honor award to him by the city’s mayor in recognition of his innovative consultations and trainings on culturally responsive services for African American teenage girls in the justice system.
Chyrell Bellamy, PhD, MSW
Dr. Bellamy is a professor at Yale University's Department of Psychiatry, and she also serves as director of the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health, director of the Peer Support Services and Research, director of the Yale Lived Experience Transformational Leadership Academy, director of the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health. Dr. Bellamy also co-designs and conducts community-based participatory research with communities of color and people living with psychiatric Illness, substance use disorders, HIV, homelessness, and incarceration histories. Her research also focuses on healthcare disparities, sociocultural pathways of recovery, and the development of culturally responsive interventions.
Representative La Shawn Ford
Representative Ford is the representative of the 8th District of Illinois. He is founder of The Westside Heroin and Opioid Taskforce which serves as an innovative strategic model for creating recovery-oriented systems of care in underserved communities across the nation. The taskforce has mobilized over 33 organizations to work together in the community to reduce overdose and promote recovery on the west side of Chicago. These partners include persons with lived experience; the formerly incarcerated; recovery community organizations, substance use disorders and mental health treatment providers; mobile treatment providers; hospitals; and harm reduction specialists. Last year, the taskforce's work resulted in 2,000 fewer emergency calls for overdose thanks to the training it provided to over 3,300 community residents on the distribution and use of Narcan. The Westside Heroin and Opioid Taskforce was awarded the winner of the 2023 SAMHSA Behavioral Health Equity Challenge. Thanks to his dedicated service and contributions to the behavioral healthcare field, Representative Ford was named as the recipient of the Illinois Chapter of NAADAC's Advocate of the Year award and the Nelson Mandela Award for Justice.
Dr. Felecia Pullen
Dr. Pullen is a qualitative researcher exploring structural racism's impact on attaining recovery capital for people of color with histories of drug use. Her research has resulted in the creation of MRCAT, an assessment tool for professionals who develop recovery plans in partnership with clients. Dr. Pullen is also the president and CEO of three organizations: Let's Talk Safety, a not-for profit teen led prevention program; The Pillars, Manhattan's first OASIS-funded recovery community and outreach center; and The SAFETY Net, a teen-designed club house in Harlem. Dr. Pullen's policy advocacy and activism has been widely recognized. She has also delivered numerous workshops on culturally responsive recovery.
MODERATORS:
Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC
Mark Sanders is the Illinois state project manager for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC and PTTC. He is an international speaker and behavioral health consultant whose presentations and publications have reached thousands throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, West Indies, Lithuania, and Guam. Mark is the recipient of four lifetime achievement awards, including NAADAC’s prestigious Enlightenment Award, the National Association for Addiction Professionals’ 50th Anniversary Legends Award, the Illinois Certification Board's Professional of the Year Award and Jessica Hayes Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Barbara Bacon Award for outstanding contributions to the social work profession as an alumnus of Loyola University of Chicago.
Kisha Freed, BA
Kisha serves as an outreach program coordinator with CHESS BHE-TAC and has co-authored multiple blog series with Mark Sanders for the Great Lakes ATTC’s Counselors Corner blog. She is a certified professional coach with a special emphasis in emotional intelligence and mindful leadership. Utilizing her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Kisha has worked in her community helping people to get in touch with suppressed emotions through the creative arts, such as poetry writing, storytelling and hip hop and emotional intelligence online workshops. She is also an event host, public speaker, and performing spoken word poetry. She resides in Huntsville, AL with her two sons and two-year old granddaughter.
The Great Lakes A/MH/PTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.
Published: February 13, 2024
eNewsletter or Blog
The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.
The February 2024 issue features content from the Great Lakes ATTC celebrating Black History Month, including our upcoming 2024 Black History Month Panel Presentation. It also features a new educational brief on health equity in crisis systems, upcoming prevention trainings on drug trends in the region, and updates to the Classroom WISE curriculum for 2024. As always, you will also find links to all upcoming events and trainings hosted by the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC!
Make sure you're subscribed to our email contact list so you never miss a month of The Great Lakes Current newsletter, and thank you for reading!
Published: February 12, 2024
Multimedia
Talking To Change: A Motivational Interviewing Podcast, hosted by Glenn Hinds and Sebastian Kaplan, is a series of conversations exploring Motivational Interviewing (MI) and its influence on supporting individuals and groups as they make positive health and lifestyle changes.
Talking to Change: An MI Podcast. Episode 71: MI and Harm Reduction, with Dr. Kasey Claborn
In this episode, hosts Glenn and Sebastian talk to Dr. Kasey Claborn, a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor of Social Work and Psychiatry at the University of Texas in Austin. They talk about Kasey’s early MI story, what community outreach is, what harm reduction is and how it and abstinence can be considered part of a continuum. Dr. Claborn also describes ways to train harm reduction workers in MI and how to apply similar principles to peer support. Finally, the group discusses barriers to harm reduction and how to overcome them, how to adapt MI for use in a harm reduction context, and what kinds of political aspects of harm reduction might come into play.
Published: December 20, 2023
Toolkit
We recognize that the holidays are a difficult time for many. Mid-America ATTC developed a holiday toolkit: How to Thrive During the Holiday Season. It includes tips for people in recovery and for those who support people in recovery, harm reduction techniques for those who want to cut back during the holidays, self-care ideas, LGBTQ+ and recovery resources, and more!
Author: Darla Belflower
Editors: Bree Sherry, Catie Holmes, and Jenny Ho
Published: December 12, 2023
Other
The New England ATTC, in partnership with RICARES, held the next monthly installment of the Recovery Science and Harm Reduction Reading Group series. We discussed a paper titled, “Predictors of Retention and Drug Use Among Patients With Opioid Use Disorder Transferred to a Specialty "Second Chance" Methadone Program” by Moses and colleagues. A summary of the discussion is available for download.
Published: November 30, 2023
Print Media
Mid-America ATTC partnered with Facente Consulting to launch a harm reduction consultation pilot program in early 2022. The goal of this program was to act as a harm reduction resource to empower individuals and organizations seeking to implement or improve evidence-based practices within their systems to reduce stigma and promote the safety and well-being of people who use drugs.
The poster outlines the findings of the pilot program.
Published: November 21, 2023
Other
The New England ATTC, in partnership with RICARES, held the next monthly installment of the Recovery Science and Harm Reduction Reading Group series. We discussed a paper titled, “Mobile low-threshold buprenorphine integrated with infectious disease services” by Rosecrans and colleagues. A summary of the discussion is available for download.
Published: October 31, 2023
Multimedia
The risk of fatal overdose has changed significantly in recent years, most notably with the emergence of the illicit opioid fentanyl and the increasing prevalence of polypharmacy.
In this webinar, presenters Michael Hite, MBA and Desislav Hite, MD discussed trends and patterns in overdose cases over the last 5 years, factors that can increase overdose risk including identifiable life events and mental health co-occurring conditions, and how different populations are affected across Region 10. They also discussed actionable interventions to enhance overdose safety including new medical devices and digital resources, harm reduction strategies, and collaboration with local community organizations.
Download slides | View recording
Published: August 24, 2023
Multimedia
Presenter: Paul LaKosky, PhD, Executive Director, Dave Purchase Project, Tacoma, WA
In this session, Dr. LaKosky presented a brief description of the evolution of Harm Reduction in the United States. He introduced some of the major players in the U.S. Harm Reduction movement and the impact of their actions on the lives of people who use drugs (PWUD). He also provided an overview of how he and his colleagues practice Harm Reduction at Dave Purchase Project/Tacoma Needle Exchange.
Download slides | Watch recording
Published: April 12, 2023
Multimedia
Presenters: Sean Mahoney, Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon
December 2022
It's one thing to believe in harm reduction but how do we actually have those conversations with people actively using substances? And what other things should we know about besides Narcan and clean needles? Peer and recovery mentor Sean Mahoney has been having these conversations for years and is excited to share his experience navigating these difficult conversations with safety, compassion and love. Mahoney has also seen how this conversation has changed over the years due to fentanyl, COVID and the emerging mental health crisis. Harm reduction for opioids and heroin for sure but also for meth, alcohol, benzos and beyond will be covered in this course as will the techniques and approaches to have a trauma informed conversation to let the people we serve know that their lives matter.
Download slides | Watch recording
Published: December 15, 2022
Multimedia
Throughout the month of September 2022, the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare in partnership with Recovery Idaho, Idaho Harm Reduction Project, and the Northwest ATTC hosted a series of online webinars titled “Recovery is Health, Health is Recovery." During the series, presenters discussed a range of topics relating to transmissible disease, treatment and precautionary measures, as well as harm reduction practices.
September 22, 2022
Presenter: Evan Burke, Idaho Harm Reduction Project
In this session, Evan Burke will provide an overview of harm reduction informed practices that can be incorporated into an individual’s drug use to reduce their risk of overdose. Read more about this session and its presenter.
Watch the recording | Download slides
Published: November 3, 2022
Multimedia
Throughout the month of September 2022, the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare in partnership with Recovery Idaho, Idaho Harm Reduction Project, and the Northwest ATTC hosted a series of online webinars titled “Recovery is Health, Health is Recovery." During the series, presenters discussed a range of topics relating to transmissible disease, treatment and precautionary measures, as well as harm reduction practices.
Part 6: September 22, 2022
Presenter: Evan Burke, Idaho Harm Reduction Project
In this session, Evan Burke provided an overview of harm reduction informed practices that can be incorporated into an individual’s drug use to reduce their risk of overdose. Read more about this session and its presenter.
Watch the recording | Download slides
Published: October 26, 2022
Multimedia
Throughout the month of September 2022, the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare in partnership with Recovery Idaho, Idaho Harm Reduction Project, and the Northwest ATTC hosted a series of online webinars titled “Recovery is Health, Health is Recovery." During the series, presenters discussed a range of topics relating to transmissible disease, treatment and precautionary measures, as well as harm reduction practices.
Part 1: September 7, 2022
Presenters: Evan Burke (Idaho Harm Reduction Project) and Norma Jaeger (Recovery Idaho)
In this session, Evan Burke offered a brief overview of the data on opioid overdose in Idaho and the response to it by government and community-based organizations. Burke also covered how to recognize and respond to an overdose and provide guidance about harm reduction informed practices. Norma Jaeger talked about the RxAware Program, which will address risks associated with opioids and pain management. Read more about this session and its presenters.
Watch the recording | Download slides | RxAware toolkit | RxAware flyer
Published: October 26, 2022
Multimedia
This presentation reviewed the philosophy of harm reduction as an intervention for substance use disorder and will examine the trajectory of harm reduction programming in Idaho since the legalization of syringe services in 2019.
A few learning objectives:
Be able to identify multiple forms of harm reduction as it pertains to a variety of potentially risky behaviors.
Be able to reframe substance use from a harm reduction model.
Be able to identify the benefits of a syringe service program and other harm reduction interventions to an individual and a community.
Increase knowledge about the implementation and growth of harm reduction programs in Idaho.
About the presenter: Marjorie Wilson, LMSW, MPH, is the Executive Director and co-founder of Idaho Harm Reduction Project (IHRP). IHRP is a drug user health program offering a syringe service program, naloxone distribution program, and HIV/HCV testing. Since 2019, IHRP has served the whole state through its mail-based services and has distributed supplies into all of Idaho's 44 counties.
Download slides | Watch recording
Published: October 24, 2022
Multimedia
In today’s video, we would like to discuss harm reduction and its importance and break down some of the stigma often associated with this topic.
Español
La reducción de daño
En el video de hoy, vamos a platicar sobre la reducción de daño y su importancia al igual que desbaratar el estigma que comúnmente acompaña a este tema
Português
Redução de danos
No vídeo de hoje, gostaríamos de discutir a redução de danos, sua importância e quebrar um pouco do estigma frequentemente associado a esse tópico.
Published: August 16, 2022
Print Media
This snapshot of information is intended to provide a quick resource to individuals, parents, professionals, and providers on Harm Reduction Awareness for the Latino population.
Español
CREANDO CONCIENCIA SOBRE LA REDUCCION DE DAÑOS EN LAS COMUNIDADES LATINAS
Esta reseña tiene como objetivo proporcionar recursos a individuos, padres, profesionales y proveedores sobre como crear conciencia de la Reducción de Daños en la población Latina.
Português
CONSCIENTIZAÇÃO PARA REDUÇÃO DE DANOS PARA COMUNIDADES LATINAS
Esta síntese de informações destina-se a fornecer recursos para indivíduos, pais, profissionais e provedores sobre Conscientização para Redução de Danos para Latinos
Published: August 1, 2022
Multimedia
Alaska presents a unique challenge for access to harm reduction services; prior to 2016 only 3 urban SAPs serviced the state, which includes over 200 tribal villages spread over 650,000 square miles. Since then, innovative strategies such as a local volunteer run syringe access program (SAP) in Homer, a SAP at a rural tribal medical clinic in Bethel, and a mail order tribal harm reduction program out of Anchorage, have greatly expanded access to services throughout the state. Additionally, rural medical clinics offer a critical access point for patients who use drugs to access medications and services to reduce risks and improve their health. This webinar reviewed the barriers to accessing harm reduction services in rural areas, and the strengths and opportunities rural communities have to offer in the development of new harm reduction programs.
Presented by Sarah Spencer, DO, FASAM
Webinar keyword: Specific populations
Published: April 29, 2022
Print Media
The New England ATTC co-hosted the Recovery Science and Harm Reduction (RSHR) Reading Group meeting on March 09, 2022 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. This discussion reviewed the article, “Hoots and harm reduction: a qualitative study identifying gaps in overdose prevention among women who smoke drugs.”
View the March 2022 RSHR Reading group meeting summary that includes a brief article summary and key themes that arose in discussion with the participants.
Published: March 17, 2022