The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65272

Hortensia Amaro, PhD¹, Luz Marillis Lopez, MSW, MPH², Brenda Zollercoffer², and Rita L Nieves, RN, MPH³. (1) Bouve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Stearns Building, 503, Boston, MA 02115, (617) 373-7601, h.amaro@neu.edu, (2) Boston Public Health Commission, 211 River Street, Mattapan, MA 02126, (3) Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, Boston Public Health Commission, 211 River St, Mattapan, MA 02126

This presentation describes a city health department-based approach to integrating trauma informed services into substance abuse treatment for women receiving services at the Boston Public Health Commission. The effectiveness of standard treatment was compared to the enhanced intervention on outcomes of women in three modalities of substance abuse treatment. The study group received an enhanced model of care that included clinical, service system and organizational change components. The clinical services intervention included: trauma-informed assessments, treatment plans, service coordination, leadership skills building groups, and trauma-specific groups. The enhanced model also included service system change approaches including the use of a common Co-Morbidity Screen and referral resource materials to assist providers to systematically screen for potential problem areas related to the client's substance abuse, mental health and trauma refer clients to services, assessments and/or education. In addition, an Interdisciplinary Resources Team, comprised of mental health, substance abuse and other agency staff met regularly to discuss specific cases, and to receive consultation on challenging coordination and integration cases. At the organizational level, provider cross-training on service integration, trauma, substance abuse and mental health co-morbidity is ongoing. A Steering Committee, Service Integration Roundtable and Consumer Integration Roundtable were used to coordinate inter-agency collaboration, train providers and engage consumers in the development and implementation of the model. We will describe implementation challenges and lessons learned and discuss implications for the provision of integrated and trauma informed substance abuse treatment for women.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• List five methods for integrating trauma informed services into substance abuse treatment for women.
• Identify strategies for implementing trauma informed approaches at the service system and client service levels of care.
• Discuss typical barriers to trauma services integration and identify solutions to these barriers.

Keywords: Drug Abuse Treatment, Co-morbid

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.