Abatement Academy

Welcome to Abatement Academy

The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority's (OAA)  “Abatement Academy”  webinars  are free and highlight examples of programs and strategies currently operating in Virginia 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. Recordings and related information are listed below for each session. 

2025 Abatement Academy Sessions and Resources

February 13
Operation STOP! (by invitation only)
Tony McDowell, OAA
Video
Presentation

 

March 5 10:00 am – 11:00 am
State Agency Portal Training
Charlie Lintecum and Sharekka Bridges, OAA
Video
Presentation

 

March 12 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Open Q&A / Support Training for Cities and Counties
Charlie Lintecum and Sharekka Bridges, OAA 
Registration

 

March 13 11:00 am – 12:00 noon
OAA’s performance measurement standards 
Charlie Lintecum and Sharekka Bridges, OAA 
Registration

 

March 21 10:00 am – 11:00 am  
Open Q&A / Support Training for Cities and Counties 
Charlie Lintecum and Sharekka Bridges, OAA 
Registration

 

March 26 10:00 am – 11:00 am  
Open Q&A / Support Training for Cities and Counties 
Charlie Lintecum and Sharekka Bridges, OAA 
Registration

 

March 27 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
Henrico County’s kinship navigator program 
Gretchen Brown, Henrico Dept of Social Services 
Registration

 

April 10 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
Collegiate recovery programs in Virginia 
Thomas Bannard, VCU Rams in Recovery 
Registration

 

April 16 10:00 am – 11:00 am  
Open Q&A / Support Training for State Agencies 
Charlie Lintecum and Sharekka Bridges, OAA 
Registration

 

April 24 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
Recognizing and addressing stigma as a barrier to treatment and recovery  
Speakers – pending 
Registration 

 

May 8 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
An overview of the NEW OAA public-facing grants dashboard 
Matthew Terrill, OAA 
Registration

 

May 14 10:00 am – 11:00 am  
Open Q&A / Support Training for State Agencies 
Charlie Lintecum and Sharekka Bridges, OAA 
Registration 

 

May 21 10:00 am – 11:00 am  
Open Q&A / Support Training for State Agencies 
Charlie Lintecum and Sharekka Bridges, OAA 
Registration

 

May 22 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
Standing up Mobile Treatment - a "How-To" guide  
Speakers – Pending 
Registration 

 

June 12 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
Separating myth from reality – liability questions around the administration of naloxone 
Tiana Vazques, REVIVE! Health Education Specialist, DBHDS 
Tim Spencer, Roanoke City Attorney 
Registration

 

June 26 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
After the overdose: peer-based follow-up services  
Speakers – Pending 
Registration

 

July 10 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
Update on Virginia legislative efforts (and funding) that relate to opioid and SUD abatement 
Adam Rosatelli, OAA 
Registration 

 

July 24 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
Substance use education and prevention for kids: New efforts for Virginia’s youth 
Dept. of Education 
Va Foundation for Healthy Youth 
Virginia Extension Service 
Office of the Attorney General 
Registration 

 

Aug. 14 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
The University of Virginia (UVA) Health System's "SmART Clinic" - Street medicine, Access, Reduction, and Treatment project
Tracie Kostelac, UVA 
Registration 

 

Aug. 28 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
Establishing naloxone and harm reduction vending machines within at-risk communities 
Mike Fatula, City of Richmond 
Registration 

 

Sept. 11 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
Back to School Part 1: The Expansion of Recovery High Schools in Virginia 
Karen Grabowski, DBHDS 
Other speakers pending (Chesterfield, Va Beach, Loudoun) 
Registration 

 

Sept. 25 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
How to prep for an OAA operational review 
OAA Staff 
Registration 

 

Oct. 9 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
EMS-based administration of buprenorphine 
Speakers – pending 
Registration 

 

Oct. 23 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
Emergency room bridge programs and hospital naloxone take-home 
Jason Lowe, DMAS 
Dr. Brandon Wills, VCU 
Dr. Cheri Hartman, Carilion Clinic 
Registration 

 

Nov. 13 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
Back to School Part 2: Defining a role for law enforcement in school-based prevention programs  
Speakers -pending 
Registration 

 

Dec. 11 11:00 am – 12:00 noon 
Re-entry to Recovery (R2R) efforts at Dept of Corrections 
Allen Stewart, VADOC 
Registration