JSI Research & Training Institute Inc. (JSI) / Center for Excellence on Addiction is seeking interested substance use treatment, co-occurring behavioral health treatment, and recovery support service organizations in NH, ME and VT to join the Treating Addiction in Rural Areas ECHO. Please carefully review the following information and expectations. If your program meets the requirements, please complete this interest form to indicate potential participation in a five-year ECHO initiative.

Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a guided practice model that involves a multidisciplinary team of subject matter experts who meet regularly with community participants via video conferencing to increase knowledge and skills for the delivery of specialty care services.

The Treating Addiction in Rural Areas ECHO will:
  • Increase provider knowledge and skills to utilize The ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) Criteria 
  • Provide access to a multidisciplinary team of substance use disorder experts
  • Develop a learning community of substance use professionals throughout NH, ME and VT 
  • Utilize ongoing case-based discussions of participant-identified patients using The ASAM Criteria

Benefits to Participating Programs:
  • Yearly stipend of $1,000 for organizations from HRSA-defined rural areas
  • Support to procure technology and required equipment (e.g., webcam)
  • Expert technical assistance and training
  • Continuing education credits
  • Access to a free copy of ASAM Criteria: Treatment Criteria for Addictive, Substance-Related, and Co-Occurring Conditions 
  • 2-day introductory training with an ASAM expert
Each learning community participant of the ECHO will be expected to:
  • Attend one hour meetings every other week for the January to September ECHO period each year (Final scheduling will try to accommodate participant availability)
  • Join teleconference sessions with their cameras turned on (All ECHO learners will receive training in using videoconferencing software and will receive required technology in order to participate if needed)
  • Participate in a one-hour case presentation planning meeting.
  • Provide at least one case presentation to the learning community during the project period.
  • Participate in brief data collection activities. (Additional details to follow)
  • Work collaboratively in an effort to build an active learning community of participants and experts.
Eligibility:
  • Programs located in a HRSA-defined rural area (https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/about-us/definition/index.html) in New Hampshire, Maine and/or Vermont have preference
  • Program commitment to a five year engagement starting in January 2022: teams consisting of 2-5 individuals/year (10-25 participants over five years)
  • Ability to develop a team of individuals (2-5 staff/year) licensed/certified to provide substance use treatment, co-occurring behavioral health treatment, and recovery support services
  • Availability of team to attend 16, one-hour sessions every other week

Question Title

* 1. After reading the above statement of expectations and eligibility, is your program interested in participating in the Treating Addiction in Rural Areas ECHO?

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