Description
October 22, 2024 | 12:00-1:00pm
Description:
Over the past seven years, Franklin County, Maine, has evolved from having minimal services and programs to address the opioid epidemic to developing a comprehensive network of support and initiatives. Central to this transformation has been Healthy Community Coalition’s (HCC) efforts in building community trust and acting as a community convener to enhance capacity through diversified partnerships. Through evaluation and community assessment, HCC effectively gauged community readiness and tailored the strategies accordingly. HCC’s efforts have focused on educating the public in a non-judgmental manner and meeting individuals where they are.
This has led to increased access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, a reduction in community stigma related to harm reduction, and the expansion of harm reduction services. Key initiatives include establishing a syringe service program (SSP), launching a harm reduction mobile health unit (MHU), creating a recovery center, and implementing innovative community initiatives. A cornerstone of HCC’s success is the establishment and sustainability of an active multi-stakeholder consortium that meets monthly. This consortium has been vital in increasing partnerships and fostering a collaborative community environment. HCC’s accomplishments stem from thorough planning, such as building community readiness and engaging those most likely to be resistant, including medical providers, law enforcement, first responders, and individuals with lived experiences. HCC’s comprehensive approach has led to significant progress in addressing the opioid crisis, demonstrating the power of community-driven solutions. As an organization, we aim to share our experiences and insights to guide and inspire similar efforts in other rural communities.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify 3-5 key community partners essential for a successful comprehensive approach to implementing harm reduction programs.
- Discuss the impact of key harm reduction initiatives in a rural community.
- Describe the strategies used in a rural community to build community trust and foster diversified partnerships.
Presenter:
Katherine Whitney Bio
Katherine Whitney, MPH, serves as a Program Manager at MaineHealth’s Healthy Community Coalition in Franklin County, where she leads critical initiatives focused on harm reduction and substance use prevention. She manages a range of impactful programs, including the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Overdose Response Implementation, HRSA RCORP Implementation, MeHAF SIIRG, and the Maine Prevention Network’s efforts in substance use and tobacco prevention. Katherine also oversees essential services like HCC’s Mobile Harm Reduction Services, the Franklin County Recovery Center and the Franklin County Syringe Exchange, ensuring comprehensive support for the community.
With over seven years of experience, Katherine has honed her expertise in program coordination and implementation, particularly in substance use strategies, community health education, grant management, and fostering community engagement for both prevention and harm reduction. She earned her Master’s in Public Health from the University of New England and is a certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer, bringing a well-rounded and deeply committed approach to her work in public health.
LeeAnna Lavoie Bio
LeeAnna Lavoie, MPH, has worked in public health her entire career, including leading community health coalitions for two Maine rural hospitals. She currently leads MaineHealth’s Healthy Community Coalition (HCC) that is based at Franklin Hospital, serving western Maine. HCC is well-established with a 40-year history and well-published outcomes (e.g., in JAMA), and is guided by a multi-sector community board. LeeAnna oversees the nearly $5 million in annual grant funding and $2 million in operational funding as well as the 30-member HCC team. This includes a robust substance use team that focuses on primary prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery efforts throughout Franklin County. LeeAnna is an appointed member on the Franklin County Correction’s Board of Visitors and works with a team to bolster and implement restorative approaches in the Jail for inmates who have substance use disorder. Additionally she is on the Franklin County Opioid Settlement Committee, with the responsibility to provide
Audience:
Prescribing clinicians and their teams
Continuing Medical Education
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education and CCSME. The Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education is accredited by the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education designates this regularly scheduled series for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
*Nurses and Nurse Practitioners will be awarded a certificate of participation with a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Contact Hours
1 contact hours for social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and behavioral health professionals.
1 Category I contact hours for psychologists. CCSME is a pre-approved sponsor and provider of Professional Education Activities for Psychologists.
1 contact hours for Alcohol and Drug Counselors pending approval by the Maine Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors
1 contact hours CHES. CCSME is a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
