Harm Reduction Efforts in Rural Maine
Description:
Over the past seven years, Franklin County, Maine, has evolved from having minimal services and programs to address the opioid epidemic to developing a comprehensive network of support and initiatives. Central to this transformation has been Healthy Community Coalition’s (HCC) efforts in building community trust and acting as a community convener to enhance capacity through diversified partnerships. Through evaluation and community assessment, HCC effectively gauged community readiness and tailored the strategies accordingly. HCC’s efforts have focused on educating the public in a non-judgmental manner and meeting individuals where they are.
This has led to increased access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, a reduction in community stigma related to harm reduction, and the expansion of harm reduction services. Key initiatives include establishing a syringe service program (SSP), launching a harm reduction mobile health unit (MHU), creating a recovery center, and implementing innovative community initiatives. A cornerstone of HCC’s success is the establishment and sustainability of an active multi-stakeholder consortium that meets monthly. This consortium has been vital in increasing partnerships and fostering a collaborative community environment. HCC’s accomplishments stem from thorough planning, such as building community readiness and engaging those most likely to be resistant, including medical providers, law enforcement, first responders, and individuals with lived experiences. HCC’s comprehensive approach has led to significant progress in addressing the opioid crisis, demonstrating the power of community-driven solutions. As an organization, we aim to share our experiences and insights to guide and inspire similar efforts in other rural communities.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify 3-5 key community partners essential for a successful comprehensive approach to implementing harm reduction programs.
- Discuss the impact of key harm reduction initiatives in a rural community.
- Describe the strategies used in a rural community to build community trust and foster diversified partnerships.
Audience:
Prescribing Clinicians and their teams
Continuing Medical Education:
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education and CCSME. The Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education is accredited by the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education designates this regularly scheduled series for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
*Nurses and Nurse Practitioners will be awarded a certificate of participation with a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™.
This course has been approved by Co-Occurring Collaborative Serving Maine (CCSME), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1 educational credits. NAADAC Provider #324712, CCSME is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
Contact Hours 1 contact hours for social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and behavioral health professionals.
1 Category 1 Contact hours for psychologists. CCSME is a pre-approved sponsor and provider of Professional Education Activities for Psychologists.
1 contract hours CHES. CCSME is a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
Speakers
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Katherine WhitneyMPHKatherine Whitney, MPH, serves as a Program Manager at MaineHealth’s Healthy Community Coalition in Franklin County, where she leads critical initiatives focused on harm reduction and substance use prevention. She manages a range of impactful programs, including the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Overdose Response Implementation, HRSA RCORP Implementation, MeHAF SIIRG, and the Maine Prevention Network’s efforts in substance use and tobacco prevention. Katherine also oversees essential services like HCC’s Mobile Harm Reduction Services, the Franklin County Recovery Center and the Franklin County Syringe Exchange, ensuring comprehensive support for the community.
With over seven years of experience, Katherine has honed her expertise in program coordination and implementation, particularly in substance use strategies, community health education, grant management, and fostering community engagement for both prevention and harm reduction. She earned her Master’s in Public Health from the University of New England and is a certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer, bringing a well-rounded and deeply committed approach to her work in public health.
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LeeAnna Lavoie MPHLeeAnna Lavoie, MPH, has dedicated her career to public health, including leading community health coalitions for two rural hospitals in Maine. She is currently the director of MaineHealth’s Healthy Community Coalition (HCC) based in Franklin County, serving western Maine. HCC has a 40-year history and has published outcomes in journals such as JAMA, under the guidance of a multi-sector community board. LeeAnna manages nearly $5 million in annual grant funding and $2 million in operational funding, as well as a 25-member team at HCC. This includes a comprehensive substance use team focusing on primary prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery efforts throughout Franklin County. LeeAnna is an appointed member of the Franklin County Correction’s Board of Visitors, collaborating with a team to enhance and implement restorative approaches in the Jail for inmates with substance use disorders. Additionally, she serves on the Franklin County Opioid Settlement Committee, where she reviews applications and provides recommendations to the county commissioners.
