Intercept Initiatives in Pennsylvania Rural County Jails and Hospitals: Treatment, Recovery, and Warm Handoffs

Thursday, April 13, 2023

9:45 AM – 11:00 AM

Location: A313-314 GWCC

Presenter(s)

Kelley B. McNichols, PhD, LPC, NCC, CADC, CCDP, CCTP

Assistant Director of Graduate Counseling Programs
Waynesburg University
Waynesburg University
New Kensington, Pennsylvania
Mike Krafick, CRS, CRSS

CRS Supervisor
Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission
Kittanning, PA

Moderator(s)

Duane Slone, JD

Judge
Circuit Court of the 4th Judicial District of Tennessee
Dandridge, TN

Intercept initiatives are essential to addressing the unmet needs of individuals presenting with substance use disorders in rural, medically under served areas. This session will feature intercept initiatives for three rural counties in Pennsylvania, which have targeted justice-involved individuals with opioid use disorders, as well as individuals that present to emergency departments indicating a substance use problem upon admission screening. Cross-collaboration with stakeholders emphasizing harm reduction, overdose prevention, improved access to treatment, and warm handoffs has been cost effective and sustainable; thereby reducing fatal overdose death and recidivism rates. Intercept initiatives in rural communities foster growth and change when everyone has a seat at the table.

Learning Objectives:

Assess how warm handoffs can enhance linkage between rural hospital emergency departments and inpatient units to treatment facilities for marginalized and underserved individuals in rural communities
Describe effective intercept initiatives that provide cost-effective and sustainable access to evidence-based substance use disorder treatment and recovery supports on a 24-hour, 7-days-per-week basis
Identify meaningful ways to expand MOUD among justice-involved individuals within the criminal justice system to reduce recidivism, relapse, and fatal overdose deaths