Supporting Evidence-based Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) Services in New Hampshire through the New Hampshire Center for Excellence (NHCFEx)

Background: In 2009, the New Hampshire Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (NHBDAS) established the New Hampshire Center for Excellence (NHCFEx) as a resource for best practices in ATOD services. NHCFEx was developed to support the transformation of the state prevention system. Creating NHCFEx to support the systematic development of a regional network of prevention and treatment providers required innovation since NH has a relatively immature public health infrastructure.

Methods: Fundamental to the design of NHCFEx was: 1) an expert panel to guide development of evidence of effectiveness for promising practices, and to review and endorse evidence-based interventions and adaptations for NH communities; 2) action learning to improve implementation fidelity; and 3) data repositories to support data-driven decision making.

Results: Through the application of improvement science, technology transfer concepts, action learning and quality improvement (QI) tools and techniques, NHCFEx provides technical assistance, training, and support to NHBDAS, 10 regional networks and 43 prevention and treatment providers. A service-to-science application process supports emerging grass-roots evidence-based programs. The prevention network is evolving through the application of a community-based participatory research framework. Success is reflected in the expanded focus that spans the prevention and recovery-oriented continuum, and an enhanced funding base that includes local foundations.

Conclusion: NHCFEx provides a promising model for harnessing resources to build upon existing and to develop new substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery expertise, and to support the evolution of an evidence-based community-driven system in a primarily rural and socioeconomically diverse state.