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

• Mass.gov COVID-19 Updates
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
• CDC

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

• NAADAC

• The National Council for Behavioral Health
  • Resources and Tools for Addressing Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • COVID-19 Guidance for Behavioral Health Facilities (PDF)
• 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 to Treat Substance Use and Mental Health Problems: What Families Need to Know
• 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 twice-weekly TA calls – “COVID-19, Community, and Addiction Treatment” (open to those working in SUD treatment programs across the care continuum. Calls include a short didactic presentation related to COVID-19 and then opportunity for mutual support)
  • Tuesdays 3-4 PM
  • Thursdays 12-1 PM
  • Register here
• Institute for Health & Recovery (IHR) COVID-19 Resources
• Medical Consultation calls for BSAS ATS, CSS, TSS and Residential programs (purpose: to answer clinical questions;  share solutions, updates and resources; troubleshoot issues related to COVID-19 while maintaining access to services)
  • Mondays at 1 PM
  • Email Therese Fleisher for invitation link
•  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):
  • from Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
  • from the Health and Medical Coordinating Coalitions 
• 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)

The COVID Racial Data Tracker

Racial Data Transparency

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