Dec 22, 2022
The PHI Center for Health Leadership and Impact (CHLI) operates the California Overdose Prevention Network (COPN), a respected statewide learning network for coalitions, organizations and individuals working at the forefront of the overdose epidemic. COPN’s mission is to build a movement to strengthen connections within communities and provide access to knowledge, training, and resources to implement solutions that save lives.
COPN offers a monthly series of free webinars, workshops, and guided discussions to support local leaders in effective coalition building and overdose prevention strategies. Topics covered in 2022 included naloxone distribution, strategies for addressing toxic stress and burnout, and partnership strategies for local coalitions. The statewide learning network also disseminates a monthly digest to more than 2,200 subscribers with announcements of upcoming COPN webinars as well as external events, resources, funding opportunities, and new stories related to substance use and overdose prevention. COPN also hosts biannual convenings with learning and networking opportunities for local leaders across the state. According to the 2022 member survey, 98% of respondents agreed that participating in COPN is a good use of their time, addresses content that is a priority for them or their organization, and has improved their performance and impact. According to one member, “Before COPN we operated in a more isolated way…COPN has broadened our prospective and given us a sense of unity with other coalitions tackling our nation’s overdose epidemic.”
In addition to the statewide learning network, the COPN Accelerator is a 12-month cohort program to help local overdose prevention coalitions strengthen their performance and impact. This team-based program offers monthly workshops, guided tools, and coaching. Each cohort year addresses an emerging need in the field, such as strategies to strengthen coalition infrastructure, multi-sector partnerships, and data-informed strategies in harm reduction and youth engagement. COPN is currently running its fourth Accelerator cohort cycle to help local coalitions fortify their approach to health equity. 100% of respondents from the last cohort cycle said the program increased the effectiveness of their coalition and has potential for positive impact in their community.
Through a unique partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), COPN sponsors the largest AmeriCorps VISTA program dedicated to overdose prevention in the country. Through this program, up to 40 AmeriCorps VISTA assignees serve full-time in COPN coalitions and provides ongoing development and learning opportunities for AmeriCorps members in the field. To date, more than 70 AmeriCorps members have served in COPN coalitions across California.
Drawing on the success of COPN, CHLI also operates the National Overdose Prevention Network (NOPN) to connect leaders across the country. With more than 7,200 subscribers, this learning network offers national conversations that feature innovative practices in California and foster dialogue on trending topics including fentanyl treatment strategies, mental health first aid, and opportunities to leverage opioid settlement funding.
This project receives funding from the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
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Project Leads
Jan 14, 2020
Since 2018, CCI designed and led three programs focused on improving treatment for people with opioid use disorder (OUD). Combined, these programs supported more than 100 primary care health centers in California with designing new or expanding existing medication for addiction treatment (MAT) programs. The programs increased the number of active MAT prescribers by 191 providers – equivalent to more than two active prescribers per participating clinic. In addition, there was a combined increase of more than 2,199 patients receiving MAT. Many participants doubled or tripled the number of patients accessing MAT for OUD. Central to these successes was the creation of learning communities which offered a structured forum to develop new capabilities, share best practices, and discuss lessons learned.
CCI built on this success through two offerings:
- an Equity-Centered Community Learning Collaborative, focused on assessing and responding to SUD inequities and expansion of MAT access through community partnerships and
- the Learning Network, geared towards the general improvement and sustainability of MAT programs within community health centers through a less intensive, completely virtual program.
This project received funding from the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This project concluded in September 2024.
Dec 9, 2019
The California Substance Use Line (CASUL) was a round-the-clock, free tele-consultation service for substance use evaluation and management, made available to all California clinicians in any health care setting. CASUL was a unique collaboration between the California Poison Control System and the National Clinician Consultation Center at the University of California, San Francisco. CASUL offered on-demand, 24/7 assistance to clinicians of any level of experience. Through CASUL, expert physicians, clinical pharmacists, and advanced practice nurses were available to provide evidence-based guidance and clinical decision support on evaluation and management of opioid, alcohol, and other substance use. The CASUL helped clinicians by:
- Providing point-of-care assistance — no matter how basic or complex the scenario — and helping to guide treatment planning.
- Building skills, capacity, and confidence with substance use management or treatment, including connecting callers with general information and resources.
- Guiding development and implementation of protocols for opioid overdose/withdrawal and its aftercare.
- Welcoming follow-up calls for continued conversations.
This project received funding from the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This project concluded in September 2024.
Free tele-consultation on substance use evaluation and management is available to all California clinicians in any health care setting through the National Substance Use Warmline and the California Poison Control System. Their teams are staffed by expert physicians, clinical pharmacists, and advanced practice nurses who are available to provide evidence-based guidance on the evaluation and management of opioid, alcohol, and other substance use.
If you would like to be connected to the National Substance Use Warmline, M – F, 6 am – 5 pm PT, 1-855-300-3595. If you would like to speak with someone at the California Poison Control System 24/7, 1-800-411-8080.
Apr 10, 2019
California Youth Opioid Response (YOR California) is a partnership between the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) and Advocates for Human Potential, Inc., (AHP) which provides funding to organizations to implement and expand MAT and opioid use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services to youth and their family members. YOR California has provided support to organizations throughout California, spanning the continuum of prevention, intervention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services for youth and young adults.
YOR California recently awarded the third round of funds, providing a total of $12 million to 43 grantees. Funding is for implementation projects, which provide treatment services to youth, and capacity building only projects, which increase access to quality services but don’t provide direct treatment. The project also includes robust technical assistance to support grantee and other stakeholder’s efforts to address the needs of youth misusing opioids.
Learn more at yorcalifornia.cibhs.org.
This project receives funding from the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Project Leads
Apr 10, 2019
The Integrated Substance Abuse Programs at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA ISAP) is providing training services and technical assistance across the state of California to improve, expand and increase access to MAT services. The purpose of this program is to identify the barriers to prescribing buprenorphine and provide targeted mentorship, training, and technical assistance to address those barriers.
At project initiation in 2018, ISAP conducted a statewide survey to assess treatment needs of waivered prescribers, which served as the basis of the training/technical assistance plans. With continuing funds in 2020 and 2022, the program expanded to address fentanyl and stimulant use disorders, as well as the specific needs of youth and persons experiencing homelessness or unstable housing.
Through the Provider Support Initiative, providers, prescribers, and MAT team members can access consultation and mentorship; access live and on-demand web-based trainings; and participate in CA MAT ECHO clinics, which offer case-based learning utilizing the Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (Project ECHO™) web-based consultation mechanism. In addition, an extensive catalog of on-demand learning opportunities, most offering free CE and/or CME, is available.
This project receives funding from the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Visit the Provider Support Initiative page on the UCLA OASIS-TTA website to learn more.
Project Leads
