Technical Assistance and Training
Ensure correctional providers understand OUD and OUD service delivery and community providers understand how to provide services in correctional facilities
Why is this important?
Most community providers haven’t had experience serving individuals who are incarcerated or providing services inside correctional facilities. Conversely, correctional facility staff and health care vendors may not be familiar with best practices for case management or MAT. Furthermore, there’s a general lack of standardization of MOUD practices in correctional facilities. In some cases, clinical care may not be aligned with best practices. And stigma and misconceptions about OUD care persist, which can compromise clinical care. Both partners in reentry work would benefit from training and technical assistance. For example, prison system staff have identified needs training on how to33:- Prevent MOUD diversion
- Screen for OUD
- Determine what type of MOUD to prescribe
- Coordinate with community providers
Strategy
SMAs can34:
- Develop a technical assistance marketplace that provides resources and direct assistance to community organizations that want to provide pre- or post-release services and become an enrolled Medicaid provider.
- Require providers and provider staff to receive appropriate training before delivering services under the reentry demonstration. For example, offer promising practice trainings to support care coordination.
- Recommend a suggested training curriculum, including a booster curriculum, for correctional staff and health care vendors.
- Leverage correctional staff at facilities that have implemented MAT to provide peer education and help to make the case that MAT improves the safety environment at facilities.
Example #1: New Jersey
The New Jersey Department of Human Services established 2 centers whose mission is to increase statewide capacity to provide standard-of-care treatment for individuals with SUD. These centers provide one-on-one education and training to jail clinicians on how to deliver relevant medications.
Read: What New Jersey’s Experience Tells Us About Correctional Treatment Programs
Example #2: California
California requires that all providers and provider staff, including providers in correctional facilities, have relevant experience and receive appropriate training before furnishing services under the reentry demonstration.
Access: Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP, page 79
Example #3: Washington
Washington contracts with the University of Washington Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute to provide technical assistance and training to jail partners. This includes ongoing guidance and support related to medical staff, medication and supplies, correctional staff, and systemic needs.
Explore: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in Jails Program