Moderator: Elizabeth Nichols, MS, Manager, Department of Specialty Courts, Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts, and Member, Operation UNITE Board of Directors

CE Certified By: AMA,AAFP,ANCC,APA,CHES/MCHES,NAADAC,NASW,NBCC

Religious and faith-based organizations are essential health assets with unique expertise that is crucial to advancing the mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enhance and protect the health and well-being of the American people. Because so many people live their lives through their faith commitments, faith-based organizations are uniquely positioned to understand and serve their neighbors and communities in culturally competent ways. These organizations are often driven by faith to serve people of all faiths or none with compassion and commitment, and to provide them with food, housing, health care, family support, mental health support, addiction recovery, counseling, education and other essential services.

This session will review the strategies for partnering with faith communities in response to the opioid epidemic as outlined in the HHS Partnership Center’s Opioid Epidemic Practical Toolkit, which is available at http://hhs.gov/opioid-practical-toolkit. Participants will learn how faith leaders and community leaders, as well as concerned citizens, can support prevention efforts, reduce risk and provide support to those who are in and seeking recovery. Presenters also will address the particular challenges faith-based service delivery organizations experience as they seek to deliver essential services.

UPON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
- Describe how faith leaders and their community members are currently responding to the opioid epidemic.
- Recognize what faith communities need to understand in order to reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorders.
- Explain how to partner with faith communities to strengthen the community’s response to the opioid epidemic.