Technical Assistance

This section provides tips for locating and utilizing external technical assistance (TA) for MOUD (also referred to as MAT), some of which can offer pregnancy-specific advice. It describes what technical assistance may entail and resources to access technical assistance free of charge.

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Key Points

HOW

  • Identify what your technical assistance needs are (i.e. what do you need help with that would be useful for you to speak with/ learn from experts rather than a standalone training). This may include starting a new MOUD program, enhancing it for pregnant patients, working on community partnerships, and staff training.
  • Once the topic of technical assistance is identified, determine what modality (e.g. telephone, virtual, in-person) would benefit your staff and facility the most.
  • Determine whether you have funds for paid TA or will use free TA resources. The paid services are often more robust, tailored to your facility, and longitudinal, but many free services provide extensive help as well.
  • Use the resources provided to request the TA that is best suited for your needs and setting.
  • Discuss the best ways to maximize the TA you receive (i.e. what staff members should be involved, what information is useful for sharing, preparing questions for the TA expert, etc.)

 

WHY 

  • TA will help to address your challenges regarding MOUD for pregnant patients in jail and ensure you have the information and resources required to provide optimal care.
  • TA can come in many forms and can help with a variety of things, such as building capacity and policies for new services, staff training, and much more.  

 

KEEP IN MIND 

  • There is no TA that is specific to pregnant with OUD in jail. You may have to speak with multiple people with different expertise (e.g. OUD, pregnancy, jail-based care) and use their combined knowledge to address your challenge.
  • You can receive TA informally through your existing networks of jails and community providers. If you are familiar with a jail with a comprehensive system of delivering MOUD, connect with them to learn from their experiences.
  • TA may be a single interaction or can be ongoing depending on your needs. If you are just starting a MOUD program, consider more intensive TA upfront.
  • Provide as many details as possible during TA so their expertise can be catered specifically to your jail and community setting.

 

Deeper Dive

HOW 

There are many available options for free technical assistance for MOUD in jails. Some are offered in-person/on-site, via teleconference or by phone. Some are free, and some cost money. Some provide one-time help, and some are longer-term. To receive TA, it must first be requested by the jail.

Action Items

  1. Identify what your technical assistance needs are (i.e. what do you need help with that would be useful for you to speak with/ learn from experts rather than a standalone training). This may include starting a new MOUD program, enhancing it for pregnant patients, working on community partnerships, and staff training.
  2. Once the topic of technical assistance is identified, determine what modality (e.g. telephone, virtual, in-person) would benefit your staff and facility the most.
  3. Determine whether you have funds for paid TA or will use free TA resources. The paid services are often more robust, tailored to your facility, and longitudinal, but many free services provide extensive help as well.
  4. Use the resources provided to request the TA that is best suited for your needs and setting.
  5. Discuss the best ways to maximize the TA you receive (i.e. what staff members should be involved, what information is useful for sharing, preparing questions for the TA expert, etc.)

 

WHY 

Technical assistance (TA) involves receiving support and consultation from experts about an identified need or problem. TA can come in many forms and can help with a variety of things, such as building capacity and policies for new services, staff training, and much more.  TA for MOUD, especially for pregnant patients, in jail can help facilities tackle unexpected issues, plan for future challenges, and learn from others’ expertise. TA may also help build a network of support that can be utilized over time. While there are no TA resources tailored specifically to pregnant patients with OUD in jail, the resources provided may have strategies that can be tailored to pregnancy.

 

In short, TA is designed to address your challenges regarding MOUD for pregnant patients in jail and ensure you have the information and resources required to provide optimal care.

Resources

  • Bureau of Justice Assistance
    • Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) Training and Technical Assistance Program – Offers free onsite or virtual technical assistance in different modalities like training events, workshops, meeting presentations, or online resources. You can browse options by topic or audience!
    • Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program Technical Assistance Request – Provides free onsite or virtual TA consultation for challenges for new or existing programs. They’ll match with you a faculty with expertise or find someone who qualifies. You can request technical assistance or training!
  • University of California, San Francisco National Clinician Consultation Center – Free hotline to ask clinical questions in the moment! They have experts in pregnancy MOUD care too.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Harm Reduction Technical Assistance Center – Provides TA to anyone who offers (or plans to offer) harm reduction services to their community, including programs that provide substance use treatment. They’ll connect you with resources and experts free of charge!
  • National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC)
    • Technical Assistance resources – Assists facilities that are starting from scratch in design and/or implementation. Fees vary based on your identified needs, facility size, number of patients, and what specifically is requested.
    • NCCHC can also accredit full OTP programs and is the only authorized agency specializing in jails. Visit their website to request a free consultation and find out more information.
  • Health Management Associates – They have a ton of really useful, free online resources for jails on everything from how to stock buprenorphine to how to deal with diversion. They also can provide direct TA that is comprehensive and tailored, but it’s not free.