Abatement Academy

Welcome to Abatement Academy

The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) and the Virginia Institute of Government (VIG) conducted the first round of “Abatement Academy” workshops in 2023. The recordings and related information are listed below under "Previous Abatement Academy Videos and Resources". The OAA is continuing with a second round of free “Abatement Academy” webinars for 2024 with topics, dates, and registration forms posted below. The 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.

The 2024 Abatement Academy will also include one-day in-person workshops on June 11 (Hampton), September 5 (Winchester) and October 10 (Fredericksburg).

Register Here for Workshops

Current Online Abatement Academy Workshops

July 25
Completing required OAA Annual Reports for Cities and Counties (due September 1)
Charlie Lintecum (OAA Director of Operations)
Video
Presentation

 

August 8
How EMS agencies in Virginia are connecting people to addiction treatment and recovery support.
Panel Discussion: Chesterfield Fire & EMS, Fairfax County Fire & EMS, Roanoke City Fire & EMS
Video
Presentation

 

August 29
Virginia's NEW naloxone distribution plan and statewide contract for naloxone purchase.
Va Dept of Health Naloxone Distribution team: Stepanie Wheawill, Alexis Page, Gretchen Dunn, Carolyn Lamere
Video
Presentation
Webinar Q&A

 

September 12
Financial management of opioid settlement funds (including grants) for Virginia cities and counties.
Virginia Lovell (Director of Finance, City of Newport News), Adam Rosatelli (OAA Director of Finance)
Video
Presentation
APA Guidance

 

September 26
Preparing your OAA grant application, Part 1: Types of OAA grants, eligible projects, availability of funds, and how to make your application more competitive.
Tony McDowell (OAA Executive Director)
Video
Presentation

 

October 10
Preparing your OAA grant application, Part 2: Training on the new OAA Grants Portal software.
Matthew Terrill (OAA Sr Business Analyst), Sharekka Bridges (OAA Sr Grants Compliance Analyst)
Video
Presentation

 

October 24
The free VCU/VASAM toolkit provides evidence-based best practices for opioid abatement programs at the community level.
Dr. Jackie Britz (VCU Wright Center)
Video
Presentation

 

November 14
Update on State Opioid Response (SOR) programs in Virginia.
Iva Brown (SOR Manager, Department of Behavioral Health & Development Services)
Registration Form

 

December 12
How local governments are using mobile services to reach people when accessibility is a challenge.
Piedmont Community Services Board / Mt. Rogers Health District
Registration Form

Previous Abatement Academy Videos and Resources

Principle 1: Spend the Money to Save Lives 

How a Peer Run Recovery Organization is Saving Lives in Northern Virginia 
Ginny Lovitt, Chris Atwood Foundation 

Providing the Full Continuum of Recovery Support at CARITAS 
Benjamin Carr and Emily Lehmann, CARITAS 

How our Community is Saving Lives Through Targeted Harm Reduction        
Tammy Bise, Mt. Rogers Health District and Daniel Hunsucker, Lenowisco Health District 

Principle 2: Use Evidence to Guide Spending 

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

Measuring the Effectiveness of Certified Recovery Homes in Virginia 
Anthony Grimes, Executive Director, Va Assoc of Recovery Residences

Evidence Proves that Certified Peers can Serve in Critical Positions Across the Continuum of Care 
Robyn Hantelman and Tom Jackson, Virginia Recovery Advocacy Project 

Principle 3: Invest in Youth Prevention 

Horizon Behavioral Health’s Evidence-Based Approaches to Youth SUD Prevention

Youth and Adolescent Substance Use Prevention Strategies in Northern Virginia 
Fairfax County Community Services Board  

Recovery Academy – The High School Experience that is Changing Lives 
Justin Savoy, Coordinator, Chesterfield Recovery Academy 

Principle 4: Focus on Racial Equity 

Resources and Methods to Overcome Barriers to Access 
Kevin Roy and Leah Kaugman, Shatterproof 

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 

Serving Diverse Individuals in a Peer-Led Recovery Community Organization 
Monique Runge, McShin Foundation

Principle 5: Develop a Fair and Transparent Process for Deciding Where to Spend the Funding 

Community Engagement Leads to Support for a Treatment Facility in SW Virginia 
Rick Mitchell, Bob Garrett, Linda Austin, Mended Women Treatment Center

Real-Time Overdose Mapping (ODMap): A New (Free!!) Tool for Virginia
Ali Burrell, Program Manager Office of National Drug Control Policy