Transforming Healthcare to Better Serve People Who Use Drugs

Overview

This online course is part of the Texas Opioid Training Initiative (TXOTI.org), an initiative that promotes evidence-based practices to reduce opioid and other substance-related harm in Texas communities. This course includes six unique modules that address a variety of factors that can affect the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs. The modules are presented by a diverse lineup of speakers who offer great insight and expertise when addressing these timely and relevant topics. While the information in this course is aimed at clinicians practicing in Texas, the core concepts are still applicable to any professional working with individuals who use drugs.

Use the BLUE Continue button at the bottom of the page to register for this activity.

Format

Each module consists of a video (MP4 format) along with presentation slides (PDF format) for the participants to view. Upon viewing the entire video, the participant must also successfully complete a test and evaluation to earn CE credit (see details under Continuing Education). Videos and presentation slides are accessible upon registering for the course via the BLUE button at the bottom of the page.

Modules

Each of the following video presentations is a separate course module. Click the corresponding light blue tabs at the bottom of the page for more information about each module.

System Transformation to Improve Care for People with Substance use Disorders in Texas
The Essentials: Evidence-Based Behavior Therapies for Substance Use Disorder
Out-of-Hospital Management of Patients Experiencing Psychosis Agitation Secondary to Stimulant Use
Breaking Chains: Navigating Substance Use Recovery In and Out of the Chriminal Justice System
Advancing Peer Services for Pregnant and Post-Partum Women with Substance Use Disorders
Addiction, Mental Health, and Homelessness: Barriers to Services

Presenters

Thank you to the following presenters for sharing their insight and expertise. Individual biographies and disclosures are accessible via the light blue tabs at the bottom of the page.

Chethan Bachireddy, MD, MSc, FACP, AAHIVS, Senior Vice President and Chief Health Officer, Harris Health System
Jane Hamilton, PhD, MPH, LCSW-S, Associate Professor, McGovern Medical School at UT Health Houston
Eva Thibaudeau-Graczyk, LCSW-S, Chief Executive Officer, Temenos CDC
Denise Beagley, MSc, Associate Director, Crisis & Justice Systems of Care, Banner Health
Maureen Nichols, BA, Associate Director of Programs, Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Noel Vest, PhD, Assistant Professor, Boston University School of Public Health
Jayme Whitaker, CADAC II, Vice President of Forensic Services, Indiana Forensic Services, Mental Health America of Indiana
Shanna Anderson, RSPS, Lead Peer, Unity Recovery
Daryl McGraw, MS, CAC, CCJP, Founder and Director, Formerly Inc
Heidi Abraham, MD, FAEMS, Chief Deputy Medical Director, Austin-Travis County EMS
Kim Griffith, EMT-P, FP-C, Captain, Austin-Travis County EMS
Kenny Pailes, NRP, Captain, Austin-Travis County EMS
Mike Sasser, EMT-P, Captain, Austin-Travis County EMS

Continuing Education

This online activity is approved for a maximum of 0.625 CEUs (6.25 contact hours) of continuing education credit (each module is accredited individually). To receive CE credit for each module, the participant must view the video in its entirety, complete the post-test (score > 70% within 3 attempts), and complete the evaluation. A certificate with CE credit can be accessed by clicking "View/Print CE Credit" listed at the top of the page. The CE certificate remains available in the learner's CE profile for future access. NOTE: Pharmacy CE credit is automatically transmitted via CPE Monitor using the NABP e-profile ID entered during registration.

Visit the CE accreditation information to view the different types of CE credit offered for this course.

Funding Disclosure

This presentation is supported by the Texas Targeted Opioid Response, a public health initiative operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission through federal funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, grant award number H79TI085747.

The views expressed in this online course do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, Texas Health and Human Services, University of Texas System, UT Health San Antonio, UT Austin, the U.S. or Texas Government, or any of the entities they represent.

Registration (FREE)

Register for this activity using the BLUE button at the bottom of this page (NOTE: If you have not claimed CE credit through this UT Austin College of Pharmacy CE Site, you will be prompted to create a CE profile before you can proceed with registration).
After registration is complete, save your email & password and bookmark this page for easier access in the future.
Return Visits : Click login (upper right screen) and enter your email & password. Do not use the blue button to log back in.

Steps to Complete Modules for CE Credit

Once you are logged in (your name appears in the upper right screen), follow the steps below to view course content and claim CE credit.

Select a module by clicking one of the light blue tabs listed below.
Within the module, scroll down to Presentation Materials to view the video and presentation slides.
After viewing the video/slides, take the test (3 attempts to score > 70%).
Upon completing the test, submit the evaluation to earn CE credit.

Questions

If you have questions about course content or CE credit, please email the UT College of Pharmacy Continuing Education Office: UTpharmacyCE@austin.utexas.edu

Fee

$0.00

CE Hours

6.25

CE Units

0.625

Activity Type

Knowledge

Target Audience(s)

Pharmacists
Pharmacy Technicians
Physicians
Psychiatrists
Physician Assistant
Social Workers
Counselors
Advance Practice Nurses (CME)
Nurse Practitoners (CME)

System Transformation to Address the Overdose Crisis

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Explain the evolving overdose crisis.
Identify updates to clinical practice that will align with evidence.
Recognize Medicaid’s role in expanding access to addiction care.
Examine innovative care models for the most vulnerable.

PRESENTER

Chethan Bachireddy, MD, MSc, FACP, AAHIVS

Senior Vice President and Chief Health Officer

Harris Health System

Chethan Bachireddy, MD, MSc, FACP, AAHIVS, is the Senior Vice President and Chief Health Officer for Harris Health System. He is currently leading the system’s efforts to improve outcomes and reduce inequities among the county’s most vulnerable residents. In particular, his work focuses on applying evidence-based practices and accelerating health equity through transformative partnerships with academic, business, community and government entities.

Financial Disclosure: Dr. Bachireddy has disclosed that he owns stock in the following companies: Amgen, Agenus, Mink Therapeutics, RadiantGraph

All relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies (commercial interests) that are reported by presenters and reviewers have been mitigated prior to starting their roles in the symposium.

Activity Number

0067-0000-24-001-H08-P/T

Release Date: Feb 29, 2024

Credit Expiration Date: Feb 28, 2027

CE Hours

1.25

The Essentials: Evidence-Based Behavior Therapies for Substance Use Disorder

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Review the main psychosocial treatments or interventions for substance use disorders that are identified as evidence-based; Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Relapse Prevention (RP), Contingency Management (CM), Motivational Enhancement/Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Brief Interventions (BI).
Explain the importance of these evidence-based practices and how they can increase motivation for the person to discover their path to engage in their own recovery.
Identify strategies to engage and retain individuals in substance use disorder treatment services.

PRESENTER

Denise Beagley, M.Sc.

Associate Director, Crisis & Justice Systems of Care

Banner Health

Denise Beagley, M.Sc. is the owner of Beagley Consulting, Associate Director of Crisis and Justice Systems at Banner University Health Plans, and works part-time as a Crisis Intervention Specialist for Chandler Fire Department. She has worked within the behavioral health system since 2002. Prior to working in Arizona, she completed her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Trinity College Dublin. While at Trinity College, her research focused on the Garda Síochána (police force in Ireland) and working under stress. Denise was appointed to the Arizona Parents Commission on Drug Education and serves as chair commissioner. Since 2005, Denise has served as an adjunct faculty for the Office of the Courts, Arizona Probation and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) instructor since within Maricopa County. She is a Faculty Associate at the Arizona State University at the School of Social Work. She has over 20 years of experience working under the umbrella of Psychology and Public Safety and serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to internal and external ASU departments and provider companies.

Financial Disclosure: Speaker does not have any financial relationships to disclose.

Activity Number

0067-0000-24-017-H08-P/T

Release Date: Feb 29, 2024

Credit Expiration Date: Feb 28, 2027

CE Hours

1.00

Out-of-Hospital Management of Patients Experiencing Psychosis Agitation Secondary to Stimulant Use

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Explain the differences between assessing/treating agitation in a clinical versus community setting.
Recognize, define, and scale agitation in a community setting.
Identify treatments for agitation in the presence of a substance use disorder.

PRESENTERS

Heidi Abraham, MD, FAEMS

Chief Deputy Medical Director

Austin-Travis County EMS

Dr. Heidi Abraham is the Chief Deputy Medical Director for Austin/Travis County EMS and for the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the EMS medical director for New Braunfels Fire Department, and Blanco County EMS. She continues to work clinically in the ER in addition to EMS field response. Dr. Abraham is double board certified in Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services, and has been active at the state and national level with various EMS organizations. She was one of the founding board members for the Texas chapter of NAEMSP, and currently serves as the chair of the EMS Medical Director's Committee for the Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council. Dr. Abraham provides clinical supervision for the community health and SUD programs within Austin Travis County EMS.

Financial Disclosure: Speaker does not have any financial relationships to disclose.

Kim Griffith, EMT-P, FP-C

Captain

Austin-Travis County EMS

Kenny Pailes, NRP

Captain

Austin-Travis County EMS

Both Kimberly Griffith, NRP and co-presenter Kenny Pailes, NRP are Captains with Austin-Travis County EMS's mental health crisis response unit, known as The CHPR Team. The Community Health Paramedic Responder Team has been innovating new ways to serve a vulnerable but growing population in the nation's tenth largest city for the past three years. Together, Kim & Kenny have developed, coordinated, and overseen the team's operating procedures and training. Through their use of novel approaches to mental health crises in the community, including overdoses and SUD, the CHPR Team have demonstrated 81% and 93% reductions, respectively, in the need for hospital emergency room and law enforcement use. Combined, the two Captains leverage over four decades of diverse public safety and emergency response experience. They both serve in a variety of specialty roles including an internal Peer Counseling Team, Explorer Post 247, and more.

Financial Disclosure: Kim Griffith and Kenny Pailes do not have any financial relationships to disclose.

Activity Number

0067-0000-24-020-H08-P/T

Release Date: Feb 29, 2024

Credit Expiration Date: Feb 28, 2027

CE Hours

1.00

Breaking Chains: Navigating Substance Use Recovery in and out of the Criminal Justice System

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Describe evidence-based practices and innovative approaches that support individuals in recovery within the criminal justice system.
Advocate for, and contribute to, systemic changes within the criminal justice system with new knowledge gained from this panel.

PRESENTERS

Noel Vest, PhD - Moderator

Assistant Professor

Boston University School of Public Health

Noel Vest, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the Boston University School of Public Health. As a formerly incarcerated scholar, Dr. Vest is an advocate for social justice issues and public policy concerning substance use disorder recovery and prison reentry. His research interests include mental health, substance use disorders, poverty, social justice, addiction recovery, and pain. He was recently awarded a K01 early investigator award from NIDA to study collegiate recovery programs through an implementation science lens. He received his PhD and Master’s degrees in Experimental Psychology from Washington State University. He recently finished a postdoc in the Department of Pain Medicine at Stanford University.

Financial Disclosure: Speaker does not have any financial relationships to disclose.

Jayme Whitaker, CADAC II

Vice President of Forensic Services, Indiana Forensic Services

Mental Health America of Indiana

Jayme Whitaker is the Vice President of Forensic Services at Mental Health America of Indiana, Director of the Integrated Reentry and Correctional Support (IRACS) program. a recovery advocate, and a person in long-term recovery. Jayme has worked as a peer guiding local and statewide system efforts around recovery ecosystem infrastructure development and peer service delivery in community, correctional and justice settings. Jayme uses his experience and knowledge to advocate and help those impacted by substance-use disorder and/or mental illness. Jayme is a strong advocate for all marginalized youth, adults and their families who are system involved or impacted by system involvement. Jayme believes in the hope recovery can offer everyone and the power of peers in providing adaptive solutions to challenging problems. Jayme is a father of four, proud grandfather and a life-long artist.

Financial Disclosure: Speaker does not have any financial relationships to disclose.

Daryl McGraw, MS, CAC, CCJP

Founder

Formerly Inc

On June 10th, 2010, Daryl McGraw walked out of a Connecticut prison equipped with nothing more than his GED and six composition notebooks filled with what he called his 5-year plan for successful community reentry. Mr. McGraw hit the ground running; in a short period, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and a Master's Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership, both from Springfield College. Mr. McGraw has already accomplished more than many have done in a lifetime. Today, Daryl is a Certified Addictions Counselor, Recovery Support Specialist, and Criminal Justice Professional.

Financial Disclosure: Speaker does not have any financial relationships to disclose.

Shanna Anderson, RSPS

Recovery Support Peer Specialist

Unity Recovery

Shanna Anderson serves as a Recovery Support Peer Specialist at Unity Recovery. With a compassionate approach, Shanna offers unwavering support to individuals on their journey to recovery. Her lived experience and empathetic nature create a welcoming space, fostering a sense of community and empowerment within the Unity Recovery team.

Financial Disclosure: Speaker does not have any financial relationships to disclose.

Activity Number

0067-0000-24-015-H01-P/T

Release Date: Feb 29, 2024

Credit Expiration Date: Feb 28, 2027

CE Hours

1.00

Advancing Peer Services for Pregnant and Post-Partum Women with Substance Use Disorders

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Identify key takeaways for frontline peers working with pregnant/post-partum women with substance use disorder(s).
Develop strategies for community-level RSS workforce development.

PRESENTER

Maureen Nichols, BA

Associate Director of Programs, ARI: Director, South Southwest Addiction Technology Transfer Center

Steve Hicks School of Social Work The University of Texas at Austin

Maureen Nichols is director of the South Southwest Addiction Technology Transfer Center, located at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas Austin. She oversees implementation of the center’s strategies to accelerate the adoption and implementation of evidence-based addiction treatment and recovery-oriented practices and improve the knowledge and skills of the behavioral health workforce. The South Southwest ATTC is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and serves Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas).

Financial Disclosure: Speaker does not have any financial relationships to disclose.

Activity Number

0067-0000-24-009-H08-P/T

Release Date: Feb 29, 2024

Credit Expiration Date: Feb 28, 2027

CE Hours

1.00

Addiction, Mental Health, and Homelessness: Barriers to Services

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Describe treatment disparities among people experiencing homelessness with substance use disorders.
Identify integrated, trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions to address substance use disorders in permanent supportive housing.
Describe systems-level approaches for improving housing stability for persons with substance use disorders.

PRESENTERS

Jane Hamilton, PhD, MPH, LCSW-S

Associate Professor, Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Co-Director of the Center for Behavioral Health Equity and Outcomes Research

McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

Jane Hamilton, PhD, MPH, LCSW-S, associate professor in the Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, is a health services researcher where she co-directs the Center for Behavioral Health Equity and Outcomes Research. Over the last twelve years, Hamilton has conducted federally funded research on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of evidence-based mental health and substance use interventions aimed at achieving health equity among vulnerable populations. Her current research projects include the development of integrated behavioral health treatment for persons experiencing homelessness. Hamilton has a PhD in health services research and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship in mental health outcomes research both at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Financial Disclosure: Speaker does not have any financial relationships to disclose.

Eva Thibaudeau-Graczyk, LCSW-S

Chief Executive Officer

Temenos CDC

Eva Thibaudeau-Graczyk is a licensed clinical social worker and has worked in the field of homelessness since 1996. She is currently the CEO of Temenos Community Development Corporation. Previously, she served as chief program officer for the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, where she oversaw a large reduction in homelessness in the Houston area. Thibaudeau-Graczyk also sits on the steering committee of A Way Home America, a national initiative that works to end youth homelessness.

Financial Disclosure: Speaker does not have any financial relationships to disclose.

Activity Number

0067-0000-24-006-H08-P/T

Release Date: Feb 29, 2024

Credit Expiration Date: Feb 28, 2027

CE Hours

1.00