Expanding Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment in California
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) hired Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) to provide administrative and technical assistance for the state’s Hub and Spoke System (H&SS). The project seeks to ensure that California providers funded by H&SS can access workforce capacity for treatments including medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) for people with substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). AHP provides grant management services to distribute funding and technical assistance to grantees to help fulfill these funding goals.
For over 35 years, Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) has been improving health and human services systems of care and business operations to help organizations and individuals reach their full potential.
CHALLENGE
The California H&SS consists of specialized addiction centers with expertise in opioid treatment programs; these are referred to as “Hubs.” Each Hub is connected to multiple “Spokes,” which are offices or clinics with a buprenorphine prescriber. Spokes can refer patients with complex needs to the Hub in their region for stabilization. H&SS aims to solve three primary challenges:
- Limited access to MOUD for SUDs and opioid use in marginalized populations.
- An insufficient workforce of MOUD prescribers.
- A less than ideal Government Performance Results Act (GPRA) score across the state—a score determined largely by the submission of GPRA surveys conducted by prescribers to eligible patients; this score can affect the likelihood of future opioid response funding opportunities.
SOLUTION
AHP is the administrative entity for H&SS. As such, AHP oversees invoicing and payment, provides administrative technical assistance, and monitors data submission to the University of California, Los Angeles Integrated Substance Abuse Programs evaluation team. AHP’s grantee liaisons support regional H&SS facilities through conference calls and individually as needed. In support of H&SS efforts to improve California’s GPRA score, AHP is working with Aurrera Health Group to develop targeted marketing materials and communications to educate sites regarding the survey submission process and the potential impact on future MOUD support opportunities for marginalized populations.
RESULTS
AHP has successfully disbursed and overseen approximately $121 million of State Opioid Funding (SOR) in SOR Rounds 2–3 combined. AHP initiated an outreach campaign to educate grantees on the importance of GPRA scores to help the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) determine if another round of SOR funding is needed. The campaign has resulted in a significant increase of GPRA scores, meeting California’s goal by the deadline. SAMHSA is using these results to assess the need for a fourth round of SOR funding based on data collection and analysis of the impact on H&SS communities in Rounds 1–3. AHP is continuing to develop marketing materials, communications, and additional resources in preparation for another round of SOR funding disbursement needs and to support grantees.
About Us
Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) creates powerful solutions to improve health and human services systems. By partnering with the federal government, states, municipalities, healthcare systems, and nonprofits, we help people experiencing the greatest disadvantages lead full and productive lives. We are national leaders in training and technical assistance, research and evaluation, publishing, and dedicated consulting. On issues from workforce development to mental health, substance use disorders to housing and homelessness, we help our clients enhance behavioral health care through systems change. AHP was founded nearly 40 years ago to develop solutions for some of the biggest social infrastructure challenges across the nation. Our company has offices in metro Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Find out more at www.ahpnet.com.
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