UR Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence newsletter |
Supporting rural Appalachian communities as they write a new chapter in the fight against opioid overdose |
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Chapter Four The Power of Partnership |
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Overcoming Barriers to Treatment and Recovery |
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This issue of our newsletter spotlights the power of partnership in addressing the substance use disorder (SUD) crisis in rural communities. This past fall, we partnered with St. Claire HealthCare in Morehead, Kentucky, to share their innovative approaches to helping individuals with SUD through a video and a special article that includes another video. We also partnered with the Transitions Clinic Network to present their program to increase access to care for individuals recently released from incarceration, with a focus on considerations in rural communities. |
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Partnerships Increase Access to MOUD |
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St. Claire HealthCare worked with the Northeast Kentucky Area Health Education Center (NE KY AHEC) to increase access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in the region, using a strategy that other rural communities may wish to implement. Their collaboration was focused on eliminating barriers that may deter clinicians from providing MOUD by building a training resource center that provides SUD and MOUD education. Cheryl McClain, MD, former St. Claire associate chief medical officer and currently Kentucky state medical director at BrightView Addiction Centers, describes the project and how rewarding it has been to help patients with SUD: “They want to be at that visit. They want to be a part of what they’re doing to get their quality of life back. Their stories are incredible, and they are so grateful. And that is very rewarding from a provider standpoint.” |
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Peers Help Patients Succeed from ‘First Day Forward’
Another program by St. Claire HealthCare, a member of the Northeast Kentucky Substance Use Response Coalition, addresses the needs of people with SUD who are transitioning from incarceration. The First Day Forward (FDF) jail reintegration program connects individuals with resources for their transition. Peer support specialists provide education, work with participants on their case plans, make sure their priority needs are met, and help with other steps and linkages. Upon release, peers provide a safe ride, support access to resources, are available to attend medical appointments and meetings, and stay connected with participants over time. Employment is a key focus of FDF’s holistic approach, says David A. Gross, MPA, director of NE KY AHEC. “You can have various other things in place, but if these individuals upon release can’t find a job then the chances of them relapsing and being right back in the same situation are much higher.” To address employers’ concerns, FDF holds forums where peers describe their own recovery and commitment to their jobs. Their presentations show how individuals in recovery “can really be a new source of employment and workforce development within the region.” |
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"First Day Forward was really beneficial for my recovery. It helped me connect to the recovery community within Clark County and the resources I needed to attain long term recovery. If it wasn’t for this wonderful program I would have gone back to using drugs/alcohol. This would have ultimately led to death or jail. I am forever grateful for this program and encourage all who can to participate. I have been moving forward since the first day of my release!" —Brandon, FDF participant, Clark County |
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Connecting Rural Communities with Transitions Clinic Network |
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TCN provides implementation assistance and structured support to primary care practices across the country. The key to every TCN program is the community health worker (CHW) who joins the primary care team. The CHW, who has lived experience of incarceration, connects with individuals before release, coordinates their care, and helps them navigate services. The CHW builds relationships with local organizations to pave the way for warm handoffs. TCN stresses broad community engagement and is attentive to the unique needs of each community.
Resources available include three videos, a fact sheet, workflows, a financial tool, CHW job description, and more.
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Our resource page features a range of best practices. We’re preparing to release more in 2022, and in May we’re hosting a national summit focused on health equity and stigma:
- Suicide Prevention: Training to address opioid-related suicide risk in rural communities
- Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Primary Care: Training modules to equip providers to integrate SUD treatment into their practice
- Ecosystem of Recovery: A comprehensive framework for supporting recovery across a rural community
- Drug Interaction and Overdose: Resources to reduce mortality related to combination of substances
- Behavioral Health Care Managers: Care of patients with behavioral health needs in rural primary care practices
- National Rural Substance Use Disorder Health Equity and Stigma Summit: Learn more and register
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Looking for more updates? Follow us on social media. |
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This HRSA RCORP RCOE program is supported by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $12.3M with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by HRSA, HHS or the US Government. |
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