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Welcome to the first bimonthly newsletter of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP).

It is our hope to publish this newsletter every other month for the foreseeable future. Every West Virginian is being impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Families and people with substance use disorder (SUD) are facing even greater challenges during this time.

Communication and knowledge are especially important in the COVID-19 world we live in. Social isolation is not a friend to people with SUD and their loved ones. To this end, we encourage people to stay connected however possible.

ODCP staff is available to help. We hope this newsletter contains information that you feel is useful. Please feel free to share. We wish you the best.

- Bob Hansen, Director

Meet the Director

Robert "Bob" Hansen, Executive Director of the Office of Drug Control Policy for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), plans and directs West Virginia’s efforts in combating the opioid epidemic. He was appointed to this position in December 2018 by Governor Jim Justice. Bob also serves as the Director of Addiction Services for Marshall Health.
 
Early in his career, Bob served as Director of DHHR’s Office of Behavioral Health Services. He then became President and CEO of Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, Inc. of Huntington, West Virginia, where he managed an annual budget of $44 million and 825 staff members.
 
Bob has served as a governing board member of Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital, President of the Behavioral Health Care Providers Association of West Virginia, and as a member of the statewide Governor’s Advisory Council on Substance Abuse. He earned a B.A. from Marietta College, and an M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling from Syracuse University.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
The 2020 legislative session was very positive when it came to bills concerning substance use disorder (SUD) with a number of proactive initiatives signed into law by Governor Jim Justice. The West Virginia Legislature convened in January for their annual 60-day session and considered over 48 bills with some impact on SUD. Of these, 36 became law.

The recently released West Virginia 2020-2022 Substance Use Response Plan details the initiatives that have been accomplished to date as well as outlines the strategic goals that set the course to combat the substance use disorder crisis for the coming years.

SUCCESS STORY
The West Virginia Department of Heath and Human Resources was part of the legislative allocation of funding for the Jobs & Hope WV program. ODCP has taken the lead on finding solutions to barriers to career employment for Jobs & Hope participants. The following is just one of the many stories of success.
Paula Settle became a participant of Jobs & Hope WV on July 24, 2019. She had just completed long-term treatment for substance use and was unsure of what to do next. She believed it was impossible to have a good job due to her background.  She wanted a job that gave her purpose, one where she could help people. Her Transition Agent, Anna Holley, helped Paula develop a resume and told her about Peer Recovery Coach training that was being offered through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Anna got her signed up and she completed the training! In the midst of this process, Paula also obtained her driver's license. She found a job that she really wanted after the training and applied. She was offered the job but had to apply for a variance through WV CARES. Paula and her Transition Agent sat down and gathered everything she needed for the application. After a suspenseful waiting period, it was approved! Paula is now a Peer Recovery Support Specialist, working a job that gives her purpose, financial security, and benefits for her and her family. She was able to get her own apartment and even buy her very own vehicle.
 
Check out a video featuring Paula below.
Find more information about Jobs & Hope WV 

Participants of Jobs & Hope share some of their successes.
RESOURCES
The Connections App from CHESS Health
The Connections for Recovery Initiative
The Connections for Recovery initiative entails the roll out of Connections, an evidence-based smartphone app, to support the treatment and recovery of West Virginians with SUD. The app is a component of the eRecovery solution from CHESS Health (see explainer video). The initiative also has an important role for West Virginia treatment providers to enhance patient relationships, strengthen their recovery, and increase their treatment adherence. 

In recent implementations in outpatient environments, use of the Connections App was correlated with a 51% reduction in early drop-out rates and 20-30% increases in treatment completion rates. 


 

The Connections App from CHESS Health is an engaging, evidence-based solution proven to improve treatment and long-term recovery outcomes for individuals with substance use disorder.  The key functions of the Connections App are:
  • Digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to teach and reinforce key recovery skills
  • Online, moderated discussion groups with peers and secure messaging with clinicians and peer recovery support specialists to address patient isolation and provide 24x7 support
  • Recovery progress tracking through daily and weekly check-ins, sobriety tracking, and treatment planning functions
  • Appointment and medication reminders to improve adherence
  • Video, audio, and written content to motivate and educate the patient

Office of Drug Control Policy
Overdose Data Dashboard

The dashboards represented below contain information about the number of suspected overdoses in West Virginia. The information is extracted and compiled using the most current technology and methodology available to display suspected overdose events. While the ER and EMS dashboards were published in January 2020, the fatal overdoses and Naloxone administration dashboards were published on May 15, 2020.
PROGRAM UPDATES
While West Virginia has had to divide its focus to combat the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it has not neglected its front line efforts to address the opioid epidemic still raging in our state. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) continues to advocate and support vital recovery resources that are needed now more than ever.
COLLEGIATE RECOVERY
 
ODCP has financially supported four collegiate recovery programs (CRP) in the state of West Virginia for the past two years. West Virginia University, Marshall University, West Virginia State University, and BridgeValley Community Technical College provide a safe harbor for individuals.  CRPs are a valuable asset for any university to recruit and retain students. Each program includes:
1. On campus recovery and outreach events
2. Recovery support groups
3. Substance free gathering spaces
4. Peer mentoring
5. Referral to community-based services and supports

FAMILY TREATMENT COURT

In 2019, the West Virginia Legislature passed a bill that allowed three Family Treatment Court (FTC) programs to be developed in Boone, Ohio, and Randolph counties. In 2020, two more FTCs were added in Nicholas and Roane counties. ODCP has invested time and funding to this evidence-based practice that assists families with SUD so they stay intact. FTC programs are a cooperative effort between the Circuit Court, Child Protective Services, and substance use disorder treatment providers, as well as anyone involved in the welfare of children in the foster care system.

MEET OUR NEW STAFF
Gary Krushansky, Strategic Planner, joined ODCP in June 2018.
Rachel Thaxton, Assistant Director, joined ODCP in April 2019.
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Copyright © 2020 WV ODCP, All rights reserved.

https://dhhr.wv.gov/Office-of-Drug-Control-Policy

Our mailing address is:
1 Davis Square, Suite 100, East, Charleston, WV 25301

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