HEALing Communities Study Resources

Opioid-Overdose Reduction Continuum of Care Approach (ORCCA) Practice Guide

This guide includes (1) a menu of evidence-based practices spanning the continuum of care to reduce opioid overdose deaths and (2) real-word tips for implementing the evidence-based strategies. This guide was developed for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Technology Transfer Centers (TTC) program.

Overdose Education & Naloxone Distribution Outreach Manual (English)

This manual aims to guide community members and agencies in launching effective opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution outreach campaigns, drawing from lessons learned from HEALing Communities Study - Kentucky. It offers suggestions on staffing, venues, scheduling, materials, attire, and tracking efforts, acknowledging the uniqueness of each community's needs.

Overdose Education & Naloxone Distribution Outreach Manual (Spanish)

Educaci n sobre la sobredosis y la distribuci n de naloxona Manual de acercamiento

New York's Peer-led Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Programs Build Trust, Save Lives

In New York state, more than 1,000 overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs are educating citizens about how to prevent and respond to an overdose. Read about three examples of community-led programs that work to spread information about overdose and get naloxone into the hands of people at highest risk.

Overdose Recognition and Response for Bystanders

A printable trifold brochure that instructs bystanders on how to identify an opioid overdose, call for help, and administer naloxone and rescue breathing.

The impact of the Communities That HEAL program on overdose deaths from opioids used in combination with meth and other drugs

Over three-quarters of the drug overdose deaths in the U.S. involved fentanyl, a powerful opioid that is commonly mixed with stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine (or meth). In recent years, rising amounts of people using opioids with other drugs has worsened the overdose crisis. HCS researchers found that in Communities That HEAL communities, there was a 37% reduction in overdose deaths from opioids mixed with stimulants like meth (not including cocaine).

How a national study empowered communities to use solutions supported by science to address opioid overdose deaths

The HEALing Communities Study set an ambitious goal to decrease overdose deaths through evidence-based practices; although the statistics didn't show changes in communities in the short-term, the study successfully put into action more than 600 evidence-based practices to communities that received the Communities That HEAL intervention. This summary of a scientific article explains the impact of the study on overdose deaths.

Toolkit For Preventing Opioid Overdoses At Your Organization

The Organizational Toolkit describes the various ways that businesses, faith-based organizations, schools and universities, nonprofits, and other community-based organizations can provide valuable support to prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts in their communities.

Phase 0: Preparation Road Map

The overarching goal of Phase 0 is to learn about the state of the opioid overdose crisis in your community and prepare to collaborate with local coalitions and other community partners to implement the Communities That HEAL intervention.

Phase 1: Getting Started Road Map

During Phase 1, coalition members will draft and approve a charter that describes their and roles and responsibilities. The coalition will also fill key leadership roles and review the Opioid-Overdose Reduction Continuum of Care Approach (ORCCA), a menu of evidence based strategies for responding to the opioid crisis.

Phase 2: Getting Organized Road Map

In Phase 2, your community coalition will review and discuss the menu of evidence-based strategies and develop a process for selecting the strategies to be implemented. Your coalition will also consider whether you?d like to create a communications campaign to raise public awareness or understanding of your overdose reduction efforts. Finally, during this phase, your coalition will identify needs and gaps in knowledge that can be addressed by bringing in technical expertise and additional resources

Phase 3: Community Profiles and Data Dashboards Road Map

Phase 3 focuses on collaborative development of a community-tailored profile and data dashboard. The data collected in Phase 3 will inform community action planning. This Road Map defines the process for developing and implementing both the profiles and dashboards.

Phase 4: Community Action Planning Road Map

The overarching goal of Phase 4 are for coalitions to (1) set clear goals related to reducing opioid overdoses and (2) select ORCCA strategies that advance those goals. Goals and selected ORCCA strategies should address the service gaps identified in community profiles.

Phase 5: Implementation and Monitoring Road Map

In Phase 5, coalitions will work with partners to develop implementation plans and implement selected ORCCA strategies. During this implementation phase, coalition members and partners will monitor progress, share lessons learned, and obtain technical assistance as needed. Coalitions will also work to expand and monitor communication campaign activities.

Phase 6: Sustainability Planning Road Map

In Phase 6, coalitions will develop a sustainability plan. The goal is to implement evidence-based strategies for reducing opioid overdoses by using and building upon the existing infrastructure in your community. Your coalition may decide to integrate these evidence-based strategies with existing substance use intervention models or community health planning processes, such as Communities That Care, Community Health Needs Assessments, or Community Health Improvement Plans.