Overview
Supported by a significant grant from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and directed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), the Ohio Substance Use Disorders Center of Excellence (SUD COE) stands at the forefront of addressing the state’s addiction crisis. This initiative is the result of a partnership between OhioMHAS and two key academic centers — the Center for Evidence-Based Practices (CEBP) and the Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Given Ohio’s ranking as fourth in the nation for unintentional drug-overdose deaths, the formation of the SUD COE is a critical step in combating this urgent public health challenge.
Our Mission
Provide technical assistance to the Ohio treatment provider network for implementation of practices with the best potential outcomes for high morbidity/mortality substance use disorders (SUD). Guided by a clear mission, the SUD COE aims to enhance the quality of care for individuals with substance use disorders across Ohio. We focus on developing a competent workforce, well- versed in administrative and treatment best practices, and equipped with the latest in evidence- based and emerging practices for substance use treatment.
Our Vision
- Training Access: Increase access to high-quality trainings for persons working with SUD clients that will produce optimal outcomes.
- Training Tools: Provide information, resources, and tools to implement evidence- based/evidence-informed treatment modalities that include best and promising practices in patient engagement, retention, and outcome evaluation.
- Building Dynamic Learning Communities: Establishing platforms for sharing knowledge and achieving our central objectives.
- Inclusion: Incorporate diverse interdisciplinary stakeholder perspectives to inform and promote practices that are culturally sensitive and relevant to minority populations and other special populations of interest.
- Quality Improvement: Improve and assist in sustaining provider performance in SUD treatment modalities by enhancing provider expertise in training their own staff, understanding research, measuring fidelity to a practice, and evaluating clinical and administrative outcomes.
- Applied Research: Promote implementation science frameworks and methods to improve the systematic uptake of research findings, evidence-based, and other promising practices into routine care.
Emphasis on Evidence-Informed Practices (EIPs)/ Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) / Evidence-Supported Interventions (ESIs)
Our training programs begun in the Fall 2023 and cover critical areas such as SUD supervision, treatment engagement, ethics in SUD treatment, and foundational SUD treatment principles. We deliver targeted training content and resources for:
- Clinical Staff
- Supervisory/Administrative Staff
- Peer Support Staff
- Social Workers
- Psychologists
- Chemical Dependency Professionals
- Medical Professionals • Quality Improvement Specialists
- Case Managers
Our Unique Understanding of EIP/EBP/ESI Implementation
Recognizing the complexity of EIPs/EBPs/ESIs implementation, we focus on factors like practitioner motivation, effective training strategies, and organizational change. Our experience shows that successful implementation hinges on comprehensive planning, buy-in at all levels, ongoing support, and a particular emphasis on high morbidity/mortality substance use disorders (SUD), ensuring heightened focus on services for underserved and special populations.
Our Legacy and Leadership
Under the guidance of Ric Kruszynski, LISW-S, LICDC-CS, the Director of CEBP, a leader in training, consultation, and program evaluation across 37 states and numerous countries, showcasing our global influence in the field of SUD treatment. Additionally, this project is jointly overseen by a dedicated leadership team comprised of CEBP and Begun professionals, including SUD practitioners, researchers, and administrators. Together, they bring a wealth of experience spanning community, state, national, and international levels to drive this initiative forward. The SUD COE operates with the guidance of a knowledgeable and broadly experienced advisory committee. This committee plays a pivotal role in identifying workforce development needs and directing the implementation of evidence-based and emerging best practices in SUD treatment.
What's Next?
Our training team is developing comprehensive, multi-modal training programs, including virtual events, learning communities, podcasts, and a rich online resource archive. New content is rolled out regularly. We are actively reviewing treatment literature to identify and endorse the most effective practice models which inform our evolving training content.
Contact Us
We understand the importance of communication and collaboration in the fight against substance use disorders. If you have questions, need support, or wish to sign up to receive our training updates, please email: sudcoe_comm@case.edu.