COVID-19 Resources for the MA Substance Addiction Workforce
Resources for Massachusetts substance addiction services providers related to the COVID-19 emergency are provided below.
This list will be updated at least weekly.
To submit a resource, contact us. Put “COVID-19 resource” in the subject line.
General Information and Updates
Substance Addiction & Healthcare Specific Information and Updates
Massachusetts
- BSAS Guidances for Substance Addiction Service Providers
- Boston Medical Center
- Helplinema.org (The Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline)
- RIZE Massachusetts
National
- Addiction Technology Transfer Centers' Pandemic Response Resources
- American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) COVID-19 Resources
- Center for Connected Health Policy Telehealth Coverage Policies in the Time of COVID-19
- Prevention Technology Transfer Centers' Pandemic Response Resources
- SAMHSA MAT
- SAMHSA COVID-19
- The National Council for Behavioral Health
- NASADAD
Support and Training / TA (including how to use technology to provide services)
- Telehealth Learning and Discussion Series for SUD Treatment and Recovery Support Providers
- Telehealth Plays Key Role in Addiction Treatment During Coronavirus Pandemic
- Providing Telehealth Services Now and Beyond
- First Steps Together
Getting Started with Virtual Groups
- ATTC offers Technical Assistance related to COVID-19 upon request: contact NETWORKOFFICE@ATTCNETWORK.ORG or 816-235-6888
- Boston Medical Center Training/TA sessions – “COVID 19 related sessions as well as SUD topics”
- Institute for Health & Recovery (IHR) COVID-19 Resources
- Drop-In Virtual Training & Support: Behavioral Health and Community Services Managers
Recovery Supports
- Online/Phone Resources for Recovery Support, Parenting, and COVID-19. Compiled by the Institute for Health and Recovery.
- NAADAC Peer Recovery Support webinar series
- BRSS-TACS/Recovery Live. Ask any questions via email.
- BRSS-TACS general TA page
- COVID-19 Informational and Safety Posters
- Share the Facts about COVID (PDF)
- Handwashing (English, PDF)
- Handwashing (Spanish, PDF)
- Stop the Spread of Germs (English, PDF)
- Stop the Spread of Germs (Spanish, PDF)
- Hazelden's Tips for Staying Connected and Safeguiarding Your Addiction Recovery
- Health Resources in Action "Social Distancing and Recovery from Substance Use" guidance page
- William James College COVID-19 page
- SUD/COVID-19 Educational Module - from Hilary Connery, MD, PhD at McLean Hospital - a basic slide deck for use with people seeking services, which should be updated and adapted as appropriate. This version was from 3/23. PowerPoint PDF
Licensing / Certification Information and Updates
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (BSAS)
Contact Ian Bain with questions
Executive Order Extending Professional Licenses
Order to Rescind and Replace 3/29/20 Order Regarding Licensed Health Care Providers
- Education Hours: 100% online/remote education hours for initial licensure continue to be accepted by BSAS.
- CEUs: BSAS has suspended the requirement for face-to-face CEUs during the COVID-19 emergency.
- Practicum:
- The requirements will need to be completed in full
- If a program has moved to telehealth, and appropriate supervisors sign off on hours, they will be accepted.
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (MBSACC)
- Testing has been suspended for the duration of the epidemic.
Providing In-Person services – Workforce Support
- Processes for Requesting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (note: additional processes may be available):
- DPH Guidance for Substance Addiction Service Providers - this links to the anchor for addiction services on the general DPH Guidances page. There are additional useful guidances in other sections of the page as well.
- Personal Protective Equipment FAQ
- MA COVID-19 PPE Guidelines and Priorities
- Resource Request Form
- MA COVID-19 PPE Request Process Chart
- Guidance for Local Boards of Health - includes resources for communicating with the public and for individuals in making decisions for themselves.
- National Center for PTSD: Managing Healthcare Workers' Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak
- SAMHSA Letter: confirming SUD Treatment is essential service and requires PPE
Equity
Double Jeopardy: COVID-19 and Behavioral Health Disparities for Black and Latino Communities in the U.S (from SAMHSA Office of Behavioral Health Equity)
ATTC's Social Determinants of Health and COVID Discussion Series (registration required; recordings will be posted to the linked page)
National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health
Opioid Response Network's COVID-19 Special Population Resources (resources are not only related to opioids)
Funding Strategies and Support
National Council Financing ECHO - 3 sessions, recordings will be made available
- Recording and materials from Session 1: Extending the Runway - Weekly Cashflow Projections
FCC Telehealth funding opportunity - outpatient programs eligible
Note
Key issues identified by providers include:
- delivering services online (technology and adapting to varying availability, considerations for treatment, billing, records/EHR connectivity, home monitoring)
- keeping safe those who provide and receive services in person
- prescriber guidance (e.g. Buprenorphine)
- legal changes affecting privacy (42 CFR, HIPAA)