ADDICTIONS TRAINING OCTOBER 2014 Project ECHO Community Addictions Recovery Specialist (CARS) Program
Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center is pleased to announce an upcoming training through its Community Addictions Recovery Specialist (CARS) Program. The goal of the CARS Program is to expand access and improve outcomes of treatment for addiction by training and mentoring paraprofessionals - medical assistants, community health workers, health educators, and peer support specialists - to provide clinical and social support, health education, and appropriate referrals for patients in recovery or seeking treatment for addictions, with a focus on alcohol and opiate addiction.
Trainings through the CARS Program are free to paraprofessionals in health or behavioral health fields. No degree or certification is required, but participants MUST commit to incorporating knowledge and skills from the training into their work. Participants who successfully finish the program will receive a Certificate of Completion from Project ECHO. CEUs are also provided if needed. As with all Project ECHO programs, research and evaluation data will be collected and analyzed as part of the program's mission.
WHY FOCUS ON OPIATES AND ALCOHOL? New Mexico ranks #2 in the nation for opiate overdose deaths. New Mexico's death rate from alcohol-related chronic diseases has been #1 or #2 in the nation for the past 15-20 years. After alcohol and marijuana, the drug of choice for NM high school students is "pain killers to get high." There are effective medication-assisted treatments for both alcohol and opiate addiction.
ABOUT PROJECT ECHO Project ECHO is an innovative telehealth model developed at the University of New Mexico to treat chronic, complex diseases — such as addictions — in rural and underserved areas. Utilizing expert teaching, case-based learning, peer-to-peer education, and team-building, the ECHO model leverages scarce healthcare resources through web-based technology, promotes best practice protocols, improves patient outcomes, and measures outcomes to ensure safety and efficacy. Sanjeev Arora, MD, Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, is the founder and director of Project ECHO. Dr. Arora oversees the clinical, educational, and outcomes aspects of ECHO.
CURRICULUM AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS CARS certification from Project ECHO requires: Participation in an initial 2-day face-to-face training on October 2 and 3, 2014. The training will be held in Albuquerque. Participation in 8 weekly ECHO telehealth clinics which combine educational presentations, case-based learning, and participant discussion. The telehealth clinics will be held on Wednesdays from 8:30-10am from October 15 - December 17. Participants may attend in person (at Project ECHO) or connect via teleconferencing. Development of local referral lists for clients, including referrals for public health, counseling, and related addiction support services.
Project ECHO MSC07 4245 1001 Medical Arts Avenue NE Albuquerque, NM 87102 Tel 505-750-3246 Fax 505-272-6906
The CARS training uses a variety of teaching methods - PowerPoint presentations, group discussion, interactive exercises, small group work, and role plays - to provide participants both knowledge and skills necessary to effectively work with clients with addictions. The CARS curriculum includes the following topics:
Introduction to Project ECHO and the ECHO model The Science of Addiction Overview of Drug Use in New Mexico Communication Skills for Health Care Workers Stages of Change Model Harm Reduction Medication-Assisted Treatments for Opiate and Alcohol Addiction Psychosocial Support and Relapse Prevention Stigma and Addiction Professional Boundaries - the Roles of the Paraprofessional in Addictions Treatment
WEEKLY TELECONFERENCES Weekly teleconferences are part of all Project ECHO programs and are an important part of the learning process. In addition to educational presentations and participant discussion, teleconferences use case-based learning. This allows participants to present actual patient cases (no names used) to the group and receive feedback, positive critique, and suggestions for other resources or interventions. Teleconferences are a required part of CARS certification.
CARS participants may attend weekly teleconferences in-person at Project ECHO or via videoconferencing. Access to a computer with internet connection is required for teleconferencing. Project ECHO uses Zoom videoconferencing software, and our IT staff will assist participants in setting up and using this technology.
TO APPLY TO THE TRAINING PROGRAM Pre-registration for the CARS training is required. Project ECHO welcomes all applications from community health workers and health paraprofessionals in New Mexico with the support of their clinics/agencies and supervisors. To apply, please complete the program application and return it promptly to Project ECHO as indicated on the application.
For further information, please contact: Melissa Meier, Distance Education Coordinator, Integrated Addictions and Psychiatry Clinic (505-272- 5811 or [email protected]) or Jeanne Block, RN, MS, CARS Program coordinator ([email protected]).
Project ECHO MSC07 4245 1001 Medical Arts Avenue NE Albuquerque, NM 87102 Tel 505-750-3246 Fax 505-272-6906
APPLICATION Project ECHO Community Addictions Recovery Specialist (CARS) Program
Please print or type. Your supervisor must read the Program Description and sign this form before you submit it. Space is limited, so please complete and return BOTH pages ASAP by fax to (Project ECHO at 505-272-6906 (Attn: Melissa Meier) or by email to ([email protected]).
Name ______Job Title ______Employer/Organization Name ______Work Address ______City ______State ______Zip ______Work Phone (w/area code)______Cell/Other Phone ______Email______Fax Number ______Supervisor’s Name/Title ______Supervisor's Phone______
1. Please describe your role and the work you do at the clinic or organization where you work. ______
2. Please describe any experience (professional and/or personal) with substance abuse and/or addictions. (Note: You are not required to have previous experience with addictions to participate in the CARS training). ______
3. Why are you interested in participating in the CARS training program?______4. How would you use the knowledge and skills you gain in the CARS training in your work? ______5. Do you have work access to a PC or laptop with internet connection?
_____ Yes _____ No
Project ECHO Community Addictions Recovery Specialist (CARS) Program
Project ECHO MSC07 4245 1001 Medical Arts Avenue NE Albuquerque, NM 87102 Tel 505-750-3246 Fax 505-272-6906
FOR THE APPLICANT
I have read the Project ECHO CARS Program description and understand that I am applying for a training program that has the following requirements: Minimum mandatory time requirements include: 1) participation in a 2-day training in Albuquerque on October 2 and 3, 2014; 2) participation in eight (8) 90-minute telehealth clinics after completion of the 2-day training (Wednesdays from 8:30-10am beginning October 15); and 3) development of a local referral lists for clients, including referrals for public health, counseling, and related addiction support services. I understand I must have access to a PC or laptop with internet connectivity. I understand that I will be asked to present patient cases during the telehealth clinics and will comply fully with HIPAA requirements regarding confidential patient information. I understand that I MUST commit to incorporating knowledge and skills from the training into my work.
______Applicant Signature Printed Name Date
FOR THE APPLICANT’S SUPERVISOR
I have read the Project ECHO CARS Program description and my clinic/agency and I agree to support the participation of (participant's name) ______in the training program for community health paraprofessionals by allocating the necessary time and resources for his/her full participation in the program.
I understand that participants will be asked to present patient cases as part of the training (patient information will be de-identified and confidentiality will be maintained during presentations). I understand that Project ECHO is not providing financial compensation to the participant or clinic/agency but is providing the training at no cost. I understand that the clinic/agency is responsible for ensuring the participant has a quiet place available during the telehealth clinics and the appropriate computer and web internet connectivity or the time to attend the teleconferences at Project ECHO in person.
______Supervisor's Signature Printed Name Date
Title ______
Work Phone (w/area code)______Cell/Other Phone ______
Email______Fax Number ______
Project ECHO MSC07 4245 1001 Medical Arts Avenue NE Albuquerque, NM 87102 Tel 505-750-3246 Fax 505-272-6906