Recovery education through synergistic partnerships to address OUD for primary clinical providers (RESPOND)

Title : Recovery education through synergistic partnerships to address OUD for primary clinical providers (RESPOND)

Abstract:

Recovery Education through Synergistic Partnerships to Address OUD for Primary CliNical ProviDers (RESPOND) is a nine-month, asynchronous online training program developed at Viterbo University and supported by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant funding. The RESPOND program was created to address workforce shortages in rural and underserved communities by expanding the number of healthcare professionals trained to deliver integrated mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services, with a specific emphasis on opioid use disorder (OUD).

This conference session will provide an overview of the RESPOND curriculum, program structure, and implementation strategies. RESPOND prepares practicing nurse practitioners, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, psychologists, counselors, nurses, and social workers to deliver prevention, treatment, and recovery services using an interprofessional, team-based care model. Attention is given to equipping providers with the knowledge and skills needed to provide treatment for opioid use disorder, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and evidence-based counseling and behavioral health interventions.

The RESPOND curriculum consists of six modules delivered over nine months. Module topics include interprofessional team-based care; assessment and diagnosis of SUD, OUD, and co-occurring medical, mental health, and psychosocial conditions; pharmacological and counseling approaches including MOUD; telehealth delivery for rural and underserved populations; systemic and family-based approaches in behavioral health treatment; and trauma- and crisis-informed care with attention to adverse childhood experiences and neurodevelopment. The curriculum emphasizes practical application of skills, cultural responsiveness, and strategies to reduce disparities in access to care.

In addition to asynchronous coursework, RESPOND participants complete a practice-based project in collaboration with their agency. These projects are designed to strengthen local capacity for integrated SUD/OUD services and to support sustainable changes within participants’ organizations. The program culminates in a summit that brings together RESPOND partners and participants to share project outcomes, lessons learned, and emerging best practices.

This session is designed for clinicians, educators, administrators, and health system leaders interested in workforce development, interprofessional education, and scalable training models to improve access to mental health and SUD/OUD services in rural and underserved settings.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the structure, curriculum, and goals of the RESPOND training program and its role in strengthening the rural and underserved behavioral health workforce.
2. Identify key elements of interprofessional, team-based care for the prevention, assessment, and treatment of SUD and OUD, including the use of MOUD and telehealth strategies.
3. Discuss practice-based projects and lessons learned from RESPOND participants that can inform implementation of integrated mental health and SUD/OUD services in other community-based settings.

Biography:

Erin Miess, MSW, APSW, is the Director of Practicum Education and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work, Sociology, and Criminal Justice at Viterbo University. She also serves as the grant director for the RESPOND training program, which provides education on opioid use disorder for professionals who support individuals and families affected by substance use.

Erin earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is an Advanced Practice Social Worker. Since beginning her career in 2003, she has worked extensively with diverse and underserved populations across a variety of clinical, child welfare, and systems-level roles.

During her 10 years in child welfare, Erin witnessed firsthand the profound impact that opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders have on children and families. She later served at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, where she played a key role in implementing statewide system improvements designed to strengthen child welfare services and improve outcomes for families.

In addition to her work at Viterbo University, Erin continues to practice as a mental health clinician, providing therapy in community-based settings. Much of her clinical work focuses on individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, reflecting her ongoing commitment to supporting recovery and improving access to high-quality, compassionate care.