Governor Holcomb Announces Public Health Commission

On Aug. 18, Governor Holcomb announced the development of the 15-member Public Health Commission to be co-chaired by former Senator Luke Kenley and Dr. Judy Monroe. Monroe previously served as Indiana’s state health commissioner from 2005 to 2010 and is currently the president and chief executive officer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation. The commission will examine Indiana’s public health system and make recommendations to improve its structure, funding and operations. The commission will include subgroups to examine topics ranging from funding and resources to delivery of services and use of data. Appointments to the commission are forthcoming and the commission is expected to begin its work in September with a target to provide recommendations within a year. The full executive order can be found here or view a full recording of the announcement.

Substance Abuse Program Aims for Treatment Not Jail

Stronger with Support is a new diversion program developed by the Marion County Department of Health aimed at helping people with substance use disorder avoid jail and prevent overdoses. Referrals to the program will be made through the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, and the program will begin by targeting individuals facing felony syringe possession charges, which includes about 900 individuals. There are plans to eventually expand the efforts to individuals facing other substance-related charges. The Marion County Health Department will work with local community partners as well as the Marion County Public Defender’s Office on this project to provide participants with appropriate linkage to services.

Purdue's Regenstrief Center and IU Health to Lead Fight Against Opioids in Two Indiana Communities

The isolation and stress of the COVID-19 pandemic has only added to the opioid epidemic in rural America. In response, a team of university, healthcare, faith-based and local government entities have banded together to bring help to a part of rural, east-central Indiana. The Consortium for Opioids Response Engagement-East Central Indiana plans for focus prevention and treatment efforts to Blackford and Jay counties; two medically underserved populations that have seen significant mortality and opioid-use rates. To launch this effort, Purdue University received a three-year $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program. The effort will be led by Public Healthcare Advisors at Purdue’s Regenstrief Center with partners at IU Health, the Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition, Blackford County Community Corrections, Hester Hollis Concern Center and A Better Life-Brianna’s Hope. This program will run through August 2024 with aims to increase access to medication-assisted treatment, provide early intervention with a focus on health disparities and cultural insensitivities, and to form a seamless system of evidence-based prevention, treatment and recovery services.

Drug Overdose Dashboard

Looking for drug overdose data? State and county level data relating to drug overdose deaths, nonfatal overdoses, opioid prescribing and much more can be found on the Drug Overdose Dashboard. Additional overdose data can be found on StatsExplorer. Please reach out to the DOP team to ask data questions.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

The Role of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in Early Diversion: A Group Discussion

1 p.m. – 2 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Sept. 1

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) were established to provide a comprehensive collection of services that expand access to treatment, stabilize people in crisis, and provide needed treatment and recovery support services to those with the most serious and complex mental and substance use disorders. CCBHCs have shown to provide timely access to treatment for justice involved individuals. This panel discussion, with Q&A, will provide an overview of CCBHC funding mechanisms, program components and outcomes. In addition, two CCBHC sites will describe approaches to enhancing access to crisis care and early diversion.

To register for this event, click here.

Enhanced Prevention Learning Series: The Ripple Effects

4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Sept. 7

This is the first session in a four-part series about Ripple Effects Mapping (REM), an evaluation tool designed to identify the outcomes and impact of complete community work. REM provides the ability to collect stories of the direct and indirect impacts of community prevention work, while simultaneously being a reflective and engaging process for participants. The four sessions will occur every Tuesday in September and will be most useful for prevention practitioners, coalition coordinators, and allied partners working to prevent substance misuse in communities. This course is free and there is an opportunity to earn up to 11 continuing education credits.

For more information and to register for this event, click here.

Mental Health First Aid for Frontline Workers

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Sept. 8

Exposure to traumatic stress can be an occupational hazard for first responders and public health workers—and a major risk factor for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. This training on Mental Health First Aid will discuss protective and risk factors for frontline healthcare workers, the impact of traumatic stress on behavioral health, and evidence-based treatment options to support healing and wellness.

To register for this event, click here.

Adolescent Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment - Part 1 (SBIRT)

9 a.m. – noon EDT, Thursday, Sept 9

This will be part one of a two-part training series on Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for Adolescents; with the second installation from 9 a.m. – noon EDT Tuesday, Sept. 21. This segment will cover the pragmatics of implementation and screening measurement selection as well as provide an overview of Brief Intervention with adolescents. It will include a review of motivational interviewing and focused on evidence-based treatment for youth who need treatment for co-occurring disorders.

To register for this event, click here.