Volume 8 │ Fall 2023

UR Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence Newsletter

Supporting rural communities as they write

a new chapter in the effort to overcome the overdose crisis.

Chapter Eight

Working Together in New Ways

In This Issue

• Rural Centers of Excellence modify focus
• Addressing stigma in care settings through stories of recovery
• Spreading the word about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• New primary care training module on synthetic opioids
• Supporting rural access to methadone treatment
• A selection of resources from partners

A New Focus

As the substance use disorder (SUD) crisis continues to take on new forms, the Rural Communities Opioid Reponse Program (RCORP) Rural Centers of Excellence continue to change with it. This fall, the three centers are transitioning to specific areas of focus. The University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction (UVM CORA) on SUD treatment, the Fletcher Group on recovery, and our center, UR Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence, on prevention.

In concentrating on SUD prevention, we look forward to partnering with rural communities to increase supports, remove barriers, and prevent the onset and progress of this chronic disease. In the weeks ahead, we will be collaborating with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to further define our efforts in prevention.

As in the past, the centers are coordinating efforts to better serve rural communities. Most importantly, we continue to build a network of committed people in rural communities across the U.S. to discuss challenges, share strategies, learn from each other, and offer support in reducing the harmful effects of SUD. Please reach out to our Program Assistance with your questions and ideas!

Our resources and programs to date

Since 2019, we have applied the knowledge of faculty at the University of Rochester Medical Center and our rural partners to adapt best practices to serve rural communities. Our programs and resources—available on the “learn” area of our website—are designed to address three areas: saving lives, making it easier to access treatment, and overcoming stigma.

For example, on the learn page you will find resources on naloxone, preventing overdose from combined substances, and suicide prevention; resources to expand access to and engagement in treatment including medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD); and resources to address stigma in communities and care settings that draw on the lived experience of people in recovery.

New Resources

Addressing stigma in care settings through stories of recovery

We recently published a resource page focused on overcoming stigma related to SUD in rural care settings, including emergency departments (EDs). The campaign aims to promote a stigma-free environment and connect individuals and families with treatment resources. In collaboration with providers and individuals with lived experience of SUD, it highlights recovery and the importance of a positive patient/provider connection.

This positive message is highlighted through posters we have created for display in care settings. Each poster features an individual in recovery or a provider who cares for patients with SUD and has a QR code that links to a short video with that person’s story.

To learn more about this campaign, please contact Program Assistance.

Posters to spread the word about 24/7 support

We have added six posters to our resource page about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to help rural communities spread the word. In addition to posters—which include a range of design layouts to choose from—the page provides important details about 988 and links for further information. The Lifeline offers help from trained counselors for people experiencing a suicidal, mental health, or SUD crisis, or to concerned family or friends, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s especially important for rural communities with limited mental health and SUD services.

Training on synthetic opioids for primary care practices

To help rural primary care practices as they respond to the changing landscape of opioid use disorder (OUD), the center has put out an online training module on synthetic opioids. This module is the last in a comprehensive training program for providers and staff on the treatment of OUD in primary care. Continuing education credit is available.

Presented by emergency and addiction medicine physician Jade Malcho, MD, the training provides background on synthetic opioids like fentanyl and fentanyl analogs and delves into initiating treatment and ways of overcoming barriers to treatment in rural areas. Dr. Malcho discusses the effectiveness of naloxone and the use of fentanyl test strips. She also addresses xylazine and how to care for patients who have been exposed to it. 

Implementation guide facilitates rural access to methadone treatment

We have published an implementation packet for the Rural Opioid and Direct Support Services (ROADSS) program. The ROADSS model was developed in 2019 to increase access to and retention in methadone treatment in rural communities. It involves a partnership between a central opioid treatment program (OTP) and auxiliary medication units or mobile methadone units. Those units focus on dispensing medications while the central OTP provides other services via telehealth. The model aims to make it easier for people with OUD to access medications including methadone closer to home.

The packet includes comprehensive procedures for operations and protocols for methadone dispensing. We also published a new checklist for staff training and onboarding, as well as a presentation, Welcoming Recovery, that organizations interested in establishing a new treatment facility can use to engage with community stakeholders. The presentation informs audiences about the disease of SUD, barriers to treatment, the benefits of improving access to treatment, what the ROADSS model is, and how it can help. 

Events

Community Education Group organizes summit in West Virginia

The Appalachian Syndemic Summit will focus on the intersection of HIV, viral hepatitis, and substance use across the 13 states of Appalachia and in rural communities. It will be held May 19-21, 2024, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Registration is open!

HRSA Region 5 Rural Behavioral Health Workforce Virtual Summit

On September 6, the center presented to HRSA Region 5 grantees about our resources and programs, with particular focus on the “Community Conversations” workshops we are holding in partnership with rural organizations to reduce stigma around SUD. The Rural Behavioral Health Workforce Virtual Summit was hosted by HRSA’s Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs.

A Selection of Resources from Our Partners

Fletcher Group offers stipend for recovery programs to implement life skills training

Recovery homes and other community-based recovery programs can apply for a $1,200 stipend through the Fletcher Group to support implementation of the Successful Life Skills training program. The stipend is funded by the Elevance Health Foundation. The Successful Life Skills training program, now in its 27th year, comes with materials and equipment and is free of charge. The evidence-based program follows a four-point focus: building and maintaining motivation; coping with urges; managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; and leading a balanced life.

University of Vermont hosts webinar on new approaches to smoking cessation

UVM CORA offered a webinar on August 30 entitled “Reaching People Where They’re At: Smoking Cessation Delivery at Your Door.” The presentation discussed novel, evidence-based treatment for smoking cessation within rural areas. The speaker, Matthew Carpenter, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Hollings Cancer Center of the Medical University of South Carolina.

Report describes survey findings on SUD stigma and treatment needs in rural areas

Led by UVM CORA, the Rural Centers of Excellence collaborated to carry out a national survey exploring rural practitioners’ views about SUDs, stigma, and treatment needs and barriers.

Read UVM’s report of the survey findings.



RCORP-TA Rural Roads Podcast celebrates National Recovery Month

In recognition of National Recovery Month, RCORP–Technical Assistance produced a series of podcasts that include inspirational stories of recovery and important work being accomplished across the country.

Connect with us

We are posting updates and links to helpful information through social media. We invite you to connect with us!

We look forward to learning more about your community's needs and assisting you in your efforts. Reach out to our Program Assistance to start a conversation.

recoverycenterofexcellence.org

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 $15.7M 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.