Eastern Regional Meeting – Regions 1, 2, 3

The presenter will outline the steps needed to effectively document, code, and bill for services including screening for SUD/OUD and providing care during the induction, stabilization, and maintenance phases of MAT. Individual state Medicaid issues are too numerous and will not be specifically referred to on a state-by-state basis.

Gary Lucas, MSHI, Arch Pro Coding

Presenters will explain the role of RH within the continuum of care in this exciting and interactive presentation on emerging topics related to integrating social and medical models of recovery. They will focus on emerging issues in rural America resulting from the pandemic, its impact on the rates of SUD, and use of RH. Presenters will emphasize funding for the development of RH, the role of partnerships within the recovery ecosystem, and promising practices involving cross-sector collaboration in housing, corrections, treatment, and recovery supports.

RCORP Technical Expert Lead Andrew Bell will facilitate a panel discussion focused on gaining an understanding of the contours and expression of stigma in communities and exploring media partnerships for advancing public education to address stigma. 

Mandy Fauble, PhD, LCSW, Hamot Healthcare Foundation
Melissa Clark, MPA, Western Maryland Area Health Education Center
Amy Snodgrass and Alika Lopatka, West Virginia University Research Corporation
Erik Lamoreau, CADC, Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc.

The session will provide an overview of the challenges facing the rural behavioral health workforce and cover available resources and successful strategies that have been implemented in rural communities to address these challenges, especially in light of the opioid crisis.

Captain Christopher Bersani, PsyD, APBB, Region 1 Deputy Regional Administrator, ORO, HRSA, HHS
Mike Shimmens, MA, Executive Director, 3RNet

Ellenville Regional Hospital has been at the forefront of crafting innovative practices to reduce barriers for people with substance use disorders (SUDs). Beginning by culling opioid prescription rates in the emergency department and improving access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), the hospital has now developed a “High-Risk Mitigation” model that aims to prevent overdoses by alerting a team of professionals when a community member in their care is at increased risk for relapse or overdose. 

The workshop will present strategies to integrate HIV, hepatitis, and sexual health concerns into services for PWID. The session will focus on communication skills, assessment techniques, and building motivation among PWID to make healthier choices. Mr. Sacco will look at programmatic and clinical-level integration strategies and offer participants an opportunity to assess current service delivery models and develop a plan to enhance care. Mrs. Bell will introduce participants to resources and funding opportunities available through HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB).

Effective Harm Reduction Strategies for People Who Actively Use Opioids and/or Psychostimulants
Participants will learn evidenced-based harm reduction strategies to keep people who use opioids and psychostimulants alive with reduced disease burden. Presenters will discuss methods of engaging people who actively use opioids and/or psychostimulants, harm reduction interventions, overdose prevention and response, overamping prevention and response, and linkages to care.

Robert Childs, MPH, JBS International 
Christine Rodriguez, MPH, Vital Strategies

Grantee/Partner Video Showcase