Project Grant T6249325

INTEGRATED SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (SUD) TRAINING PROGRAM - VITERBO UNIVERSITY, A PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT UNIVERSITY, LOCATED IN LA CROSSE COUNTY, WISCONSIN, PROPOSES THE PROGRAM TITLED, "RECOVERY EDUCATION THROUGH SYNERGISTIC PARTNERSHIPS TO ADDRESS OUD FOR PRIMARY CLINICAL PROVIDERS (RESPOND)." RESPOND'S SERVICE AREAS WILL BE PRIMARILY IN RURAL SOUTHWESTERN WISCONSIN. SPECIFICALLY, THE PURPOSE OF RESPOND IS TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF PROFESSIONALS TRAINED TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (SUD) CLINICAL SERVICES IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY-BASED SETTINGS THAT INTEGRATE PRIMARY CARE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES, INCLUDING THOSE THAT SERVE PEDIATRIC POPULATIONS. RESPOND WILL PLAN, DEVELOP, AND OPERATE A 12-MONTH, FULL-TIME TRAINING PROGRAM THAT COMBINES DIDACTIC, EXPERIENTIAL, AND PRACTICAL TRAINING OVER A FIVE-YEAR GRANT PERFORMANCE PERIOD (JULY 1, 2023 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2028). THE OBJECTIVES ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1) INCREASE THE MOUD EXPERTISE WITHIN INTEGRATED HEALTHCARE SITES BY ESTABLISHING COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE/UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS THAT EQUIP STAFF WITH EVIDENCE-BASED BEST PRACTICES TO INCREASE POSITIVE PATIENT OUTCOMES AND REDUCE PROVIDER BARRIERS. CLINICAL STAFF (NURSE PRACTITIONERS, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, NURSES, COUNSELORS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS) FROM HIGH-DEMAND, HIGH-NEED RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS IN OUR REGION WILL DEVELOP POSITIVE ATTITUDES, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS IN MOUD TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES; 2) IMPLEMENT ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON EFFICIENTLY DEVELOPING AND DEPLOYING DIDACTIC EDUCATION ALONG WITH CLINICAL SUPERVISION TO ENSURE TRAINING CAN BE COMPLETED IN ONE YEAR, WHICH WILL IN TURN BENEFIT PARTNERS' SERVICES FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUD/OUD, AS WELL AS AID THE APPROPRIATE PRESCRIPTION OF MOUD; 3) INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY-FOCUSED INTERVENTIONS INTO THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT LEVERAGE THE UTILIZATION OF TELEHEALTH, ASYNCHRONOUS ONLINE MODULES, AND DIGITAL LITERACY BEST PRACTICES TO COLLECTIVELY IMPROVE ACCESS TO MOUD PROFESSIONALS IN RURAL HEALTHCARE SETTINGS; AND 4) INCREASE THE CAPACITY FOR THE DELIVERY OF EVIDENCE-BASED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL TRAININGS THAT ENHANCE ACCESS TO PROFESSIONALS AND EDUCATORS WITH MOUD EXPERTISE IN THE REGION. DISCIPLINES TO BE TRAINED: NURSE PRACTITIONERS, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS, HEALTH SERVICE PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, COUNSELORS, AND NURSES NUMBER OF TRAINEES EACH YEAR OF THE GRANT: 12 FUNDING PRIORITY 4: HAVE THE CAPACITY TO EXPAND ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUD SERVICES IN AREAS WITH DEMONSTRATED NEED, SUCH AS TRIBAL, RURAL, OR OTHER UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.