141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

280645
Residential recovery services in Massachusetts – voices from the field

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 8:30 AM - 8:50 AM

Jane Moore, MSW, LICSW , Jane Moore Consulting, Jamaica Plain, MA
In 2011-12 the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS) undertook a comprehensive review of its residential substance abuse recovery system in anticipation of a re-procurement of service. Focus groups were a major component of this effort. In a series of 11 focus groups held around the state, current and former residents, family and friends, service providers, and other stakeholders, described their experiences and expressed their views about what residential services should and could be. Major areas explored include: serving persons with co-occurring disorders; integrating medication into a residential program (including medications for physical or mental health conditions as well as methadone, Suboxone, etc.); underserved groups such as young adults; the important role of case management; and the need for clinical supervision. This presentation describes the process and outcomes of these focus groups, and the BSAS action taken in response.

Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadership
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
Describe process and outcomes of focus groups with stakeholders in residential recovery services. Define a broad, transparent process of input in public agency procurement design. Explain findings of qualitative research on effective residential recovery services.

Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Quality Improvement

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As facilitator for this project, I designed, carried out and reported on the focus groups described. I have conducted similar qualitative research projects under state and federal grants. In addition, I have developed substance abuse treatment programming, including NREPP listed programs, and presented findings in peer-reviewed journals and national venues.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.