The Outpatient Clinic Expansion (OCE) Project will expand SS's Fall River Outpatient Clinic to become a behavioral health urgent care provider and offer integrated COD treatment and MOUD. - Steppingstone, Inc. (SS) is applying to SAMHSA’s TCE-Special Projects solicitation for $1,125,000 to expand our Fall River Outpatient Clinic to become a MassHealth qualified behavioral health urgent care (BHUC) provider and offer Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders (ITCD) and Medication for Opioid Use Disorders (MOUD). The population of focus is individuals with opioid use disorders who have chosen to receive medication-assisted treatment (MAT). The Project will enroll 240 individuals over the 3-year grant term. The project will prioritize under-resourced populations including Hispanics, individuals with co-occurring mental health disorders (COD), and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. To address the gap for timely treatment for persons who present with urgent needs, access to screening and diagnostic evaluation will be available within 24 hours, medication and psychopharmacology appointments within 72 hours, and treatment and follow-up within 14 days. Staff will be trained in the provision of ITCD and MOUD. Once enrolled, the OCE Nurse Practitioner and Clinicians will provide ongoing treatment and interventions to reduce risk, support treatment engagement and retention and promote an improved quality of life. Patients will be screened for both opioid use disorders and MHDs. They will be evaluated and inducted on buprenorphine/naloxone or another type of MOUD and begin treatment for CODs. Nurse Practitioners will closely monitor and regularly meet with each OCE participant to ensure effectiveness of treatment. OCE clinicians will provide comprehensive OUD psychosocial services utilizing evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. OCE will utilize Steppingstone’s expansive continuum of care, as well as linkage agreements with a variety of local organizations, to provide comprehensive recovery support services such as referral to permanent housing, employment, education, childcare, primary medical care, and other services as needed. The goals of OCE are to: • Build capacity to provide BH urgent care (BHUC) and implement strategies to address the need for integrated MOUD & COD treatment for high-risk, under-resourced populations in Fall River, MA. • Reduce substance use and increase number of individuals w/OUD or CODs receiving MOUD and and ITCD in Fall River, MA • Minimize risks associated with OUD and COD and promote treatment engagement. • Promote other positive outcomes by integrating treatment with recovery support services. OCE staff will also include a .5 FTE Project Director, a .5 FTE Assistant Clinical Director, Evaluator, 2 FTE Clinicians and 1 FTE Recovery Support Navigator. Other services will include peer services, crisis care, recovery planning, independent living skills training, discharge planning, and assistance obtaining entitlements and employment.
