The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) and the Virginia Institute of Government (VIG) are pleased to announce the launch of the new “Abatement Academy” for 2023. The Academy is composed of a series of FREE, bi-weekly webinars to highlight examples programs that align with nationally recognized principles for the use of funds from opioid litigation. The intended audience includes local government representatives, state agency professionals, and groups or individuals who provide services or support to people suffering from opioid use disorders.
The Abatement Academy will also include one-day in-person workshops on September 7 (Abingdon) and October 19 (Charlottesville).
Webinars will be held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month starting on May 25 and ending on December 14. The sessions will be broken down based on the following nationally recognized five principles:
April 27
How a Peer Run Recovery Organization is Saving Lives in Northern Virginia
Ginny Lovitt, Chris Atwood Foundation
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May 25
Providing the Full Continuum of Recovery Support at CARITAS
Benjamin Carr and Emily Lehmann, CARITAS
June 8
How our Community is Saving Lives Through Targeted Harm Reduction
Tammy Bise, Mt. Rogers Health District and Daniel Hunsucker, Lenowisco Health District
June 22
Measuring the Impact of a Fire/EMS Agency Connecting People to Treatment After an Overdose
Dr. Allen Yee & Batt. Chief Justin Adams, Chesterfield County Fire & EMS
Application to Distribute Naloxone as a Harm Reduction Partner Program in Virginia
2022 All Drug Deaths (All Substances)
Framework for Addiction Analysis and Community Transformation Packet
July 13
Measuring the Effectiveness of Certified Recovery Homes in Virginia
Anthony Grimes, Executive Director, Va Assoc of Recovery Residences
July 27
Evidence Proves that Certified Peers can Serve in Critical Positions Across the Continuum of Care
Robyn Hantelman and Tom Jackson, Virginia Recovery Advocacy Project
Aug 10
Horizon Behavioral Health’s Evidence-Based Approaches to Youth SUD Prevention
Aug 24
Youth and Adolescent Substance Use Prevention Strategies in Northern Virginia
Fairfax County Community Services Board
Abatement Academy, Fairfax County Youth & Adolescent Prevention Strategies:
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This page has info on fentanyl, fake pills, and photos. Fairfax County also has a communications toolkit there. Anyone can download and use these materials:
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Fairfax County Community Services Board provides fentanyl testing strips from:
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Folks interested in getting involved in Fairfax efforts, please check out and consider participating with the Fairfax Prevention Coalition:
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Sept 14
Recovery Academy – The High School Experience that is Changing Lives
Justin Savoy, Coordinator, Chesterfield Recovery Academy
Chesterfield Recovery Academy - Presentation
Progress Report from Chesterfield Academy
Chesterfield Recovery Academy - Update Report
Chesterfield Recovery Academy - Info Cards
Chesterfield Recovery Academy - Quick Glimpse Video
Chesterfield Recovery Academy - Webpage
Legislation that Established Chesterfield Recovery Academy
Chesterfield Recovery Academy – The High School Experience that is Changing Lives - Video
Sept 28
Resources and Methods to Overcome Barriers to Access
Kevin Roy and Leah Kaugman, Shatterproof
Oct 12
How Local Governments Can Create or Expand Recovery Courts and Alternative Dockets
Anna Powers, Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia
Oct 26
Serving Diverse Individuals in a Peer-Led Recovery Community Organization
Honesty Liller, McShin Foundation
Nov. 9
Community Engagement Leads to Support for a Treatment Facility in SW Virginia
Rick Mitchell, Bob Garrett, Linda Austin, Mended Women Treatment Center
Dec 14
Identifying Gaps and Measuring Your Impact – An Overview of the Framework for Addiction Analysis and Community Transformation (FAACT)
Leslie Egen, FAACT Program, DCJS