Reminder: the Opioid Response Network has accumulated a list of resources and trainings that may be useful to you during this public health crisis. Resources can be found here.

The Opioid Epidemic and COVID-19: How Social Determinants of Health Create Differential Impacts

The Opioid Response Network is also developing appropriate educational materials related to COVID-19 and updating other virtual resources specific to substance use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery with a focus on special populations and addressing social determinants of health. Please read and share this material on how social determinants of health create differential impacts.

ORN Enhances Staff Skills at Leading Outpatient Center

Valley Health Associates (VHA) in Salinas, CA, reached out to the Opioid Response Network when looking for support to build capacity and sustainability for the organization’s medication assisted treatment and recovery programs. Amy Bravo, Executive Director, VHA, asked ORN to play a part in building up the skills of her substance use disorder staff. ORN provided local training and technical assistance for VHA on many fronts. More than 200 staff participated in six separate trainings during the summer of 2019. Read the full story here.

Community Collaborations in Monroe, Louisiana

Through 2019, ORN planned and executed eight community collaborations across the country. In December, ORN partnered with the Northeast Delta Human Services Authority and the Louisiana Department of Health to facilitate strategic discussions around addressing substance use disorders and the opioid epidemic in the Delta region.

More than 20 people attended the two-day event. Topics covered included evidence-based approaches to prevention, treatment and recovery; effective approaches for youth and adolescents; family-centered care; and stigma reduction approaches. A significant part of the meeting focused on hearing about the impactful work happening across the Northeast Delta region and Louisiana and identifying strategies that can support the state's ongoing initiatives to more effectively address the opioid epidemic.

ORN received an increase in requests within Louisiana to support capacity building. Communities across the country can plan similar meetings by submitting a technical assistance request here.

Educational Video Series to Support Substance Use Disorder Treatment

The Boston Medical Center’s Office Based Addiction Treatment Training and Technical Assistance team has launched a video series aimed at providing clinical care teams with education on topical issues in the field of addiction treatment. The videos were produced by 1623 Studios out of Gloucester, MA and are accessible in the Opioid Response Network repository and here.

American Indian/Alaska Native Technical Assistance Support

To help address the opioid crisis in tribal communities, SAMHSA provided ORN with supplemental funding in 2018 to increase access to culturally appropriate and evidence-based education and resources. The ORN American Indian/Alaska Native workgroup, which was born as a result, has developed presentation slides to illustrate the support it can provide. The slides are intended for those audiences whose providers or community are Tribal, or work with Tribal communities and can be found

here.

Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse Considerations During COVID-19

From SAMHSA: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Americans are required to stay home to protect themselves and their communities. However, the home may not be safe for many families who experience domestic violence, which may include both intimate partners and children. To help families and communities address intimate partner violence and child abuse health concerns, please read the following, which contains resources.

FY 2020 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Abuse Site-Based Program

From the Bureau of Justice Assistance: The Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) was developed as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) legislation. COSSAP’s purpose is to provide financial and technical assistance to states, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments to develop, implement, or expand comprehensive efforts to identify, respond to, treat, and support those impacted by illicit opioids, stimulants, and other drugs. The closing date is May 21, 2020. More here.