"Catching Up With COSSAP" Newsletter - Fifth Edition 2020. Read and share with colleagues! No images? Click here Supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) as part of the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP), the "Catching Up With COSSAP" Newsletter collects articles (many original to this publication), resources, and training announcements with the express goal of informing and engaging those dedicated to reversing the tide of America's substance abuse crisis. New COSSAP Virtual Site Visit Shows the Transformative Power of Peer Support
The inaugural COSSAP virtual site visit tells the uplifting story of the transformative peer recovery support work being done in southeastern Pennsylvania by a program called PRO-ACT. Through video interviews with program leaders and participants, the program’s groundbreaking efforts unfold in a way designed to showcase innovative approaches that COSSAP grantees can adapt to their own circumstances—the entire point of the site visits. As one program leader put it, “There is a power in someone with lived experience saying, ‘I have been where you are and I can see a future that’s a little different than where you are today—and I’d like to invite you to help see it, too.’” Read New COSSAP Virtual Site Visit Shows the Transformative Power of Peer Support for the full story. Stress, Addiction, and Native Americans: Stress takes a significant toll on American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations, not least owing to its strong relationship with relapse into addictive behaviors—and because stress is exacerbated by historical trauma and systemic injustices specific to tribal populations. For a deep dive into how stress affects behavioral health outcomes in Native American populations, ways to mitigate stress, and the implications of stress resiliency for tribal communities, read Stress, Addiction, and Native Americans: A Pathway to Healthier Living. Technological Innovations in the Justice System: Promoting Safety, Facilitating Recovery Pandemic-related necessity has forced courts, jail administrators, and community corrections personnel to adopt technological applications—such as text messaging, videoconferencing, and virtual home visits—to ensure that services continue for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. And while the cause of this shift may be temporary, the effect may not be. Many of these apps may become permanent components of comprehensive, evidence-based programming. For a detailed look at some of the innovative practices being employed by state agencies around the country and a list of helpful resources, read Technological Innovations in the Justice System: Promoting Safety, Facilitating Recovery. Critical Elements of Successful First Responder Diversion Programs The opioid crisis has generated an increase in calls for service by individuals with substance use and co-occurring disorders. In response, new law enforcement-led diversion and fire/emergency medical services-led initiatives are helping to reduce overdoses and overdose-related deaths by connecting individuals to community-based treatment and services. For a close look at the five critical elements required of a successful first responder diversion program, read Critical Elements of Successful First Responder Diversion Programs. Using Telehealth for Medication-Assisted Treatment in the Criminal Justice System Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder has been shown to reduce incidences of overdose or death. Yet by some estimates, fewer than 1 percent of correctional facilities offer MAT as part of their standard care—and those that do offer it may not have adequate plans for care coordination upon release. Offering virtual options through telehealth services is one way to address this challenge and has become a critical component of many systems of care. For an examination of the steps involved in implementing an effective MAT program through telehealth services, read Using Telehealth for Medication-Assisted Treatment in the Criminal Justice System. Stimulant Use Disorder: Specially adapted for this issue of Catching Up With COSSAP, this resource identifies training that recovery workers can access to expand their skill sets when working with clients with a history of stimulant use as well as recovery resources for client reference. Included in the article are a review of relevant stimulant use surveillance data and their implications; recommended workforce trainings; and examples of community referral resources, online recovery supports, and recovery applications. Read Stimulant Use Disorder: Resources for Recovery
Workers and Their Clients. New User-Friendly Online Tool Tracks PDMP Legislation and Regulations The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) has made it easier for interested parties to find information about proposed and enacted PDMP legislation and regulations through a new feature on its website that identifies all bills and regulations introduced at the state and federal levels related to PDMPs and tracks their progress throughout the year with quarterly updates. For more on this valuable new tool, read New User-Friendly Online Tool Tracks PDMP Legislation and Regulations. The COSSAP Digest is a compilation of COSSAP-developed publications, webinars, podcasts, and upcoming events. Webinars COSSAP Webinar: Making Data-Driven Decisions to Enhance Your Diversion or Deflection Program COSSAP Webinar: Arlington County Public Safety Response to the Opioid Crisis Upcoming Events COSSAP Collaborative Webinar: Examining the Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Substance Use Among Tribal Populations Funding Opportunities FY 2021 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program Solicitation BJA's RSAT Program assists states with developing and implementing RSAT programs within state correctional facilities, as well as within local correctional and detention facilities, in which inmates are incarcerated for a period of time sufficient to permit substance abuse treatment. Read the RSAT for State Prisoners Program Solicitation. FY 2021 Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Solicitation Read the Harold Rogers PDMP Solicitation. FY 2021 Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program Solicitation Read the Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Discretionary Grant Program Solicitation. Help Is Available: COSSAP TTA for Grantees and the Field At Large Don’t forget: The COSSAP Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Program stands ready to support you—grantee or not! An easy online process matches your request with a TTA provider (or team of providers) with the right mix of expertise. The process is provided to requestors free of charge. Learn more here; jump right to the TTA request form here. BJA’s COSSAP is a collaborative effort that includes the training and technical assistance teams from Advocates for Human Potential, Inc.; the Altarum Institute; the Center for Health and Justice at TASC; the Institute for Intergovernmental Research; the National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College; the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Training and Technical Assistance Center; and RTI International. |