People with lived experience, health care providers and community partners across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont can strengthen their skills in supporting treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) as part of coordinated, community-based care through a collaborative, team-based approach with a new virtual learning series: Meaningful Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Care: A Team-based Approach, as part of the nationally recognized Project ECHO model.

This series will not only improve individual provider skills but also strengthen connections across systems, reducing professional isolation and improving continuity of care for individuals with opioid use disorder throughout the region.

Across rural northern New England, communities continue to face challenges with substance use disorders. While MOUD is recognized as the gold standard of care for opioid use disorder, many frontline providers say they need more training and real-world experience in delivering these treatments, especially in rural areas where isolation, workforce shortages, and fragmented service systems can make it difficult for patients to access consistent, coordinated care.

Providers and community professionals often serve individuals with medical, behavioral, and social service needs, but these systems often work separately, reducing collaboration and continuity of care. MOUD may be underused or inconsistently integrated into routine care, particularly outside of specialty settings.

That’s where the Meaningful MOUD Care ECHO series comes in.

This series aims to break down these barriers by bringing together interdisciplinary teams and people with lived experience in a supportive, interactive learning environment. Using the Project ECHO model, participants will engage in case-based discussions, brief didactic sessions, and peer learning designed to translate evidence into practice.

The program emphasizes integrating behavioral health services, harm-reduction strategies, and recovery supports into treatment while also addressing stigma through trauma-informed approaches.

The free series takes place on Zoom from noon–1 p.m. (ET) biweekly on Thursdays, running April 16 through September 17, and is designed for nurses, physicians, social workers, recovery coaches, peer support specialists, individuals with lived experience, and anyone who is interested in expanding their knowledge and practical skills in delivering MOUD.

Priority enrollment is given to participants from Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Those interested in joining this free, virtual series are encouraged to register and become part of a growing network committed to expanding access to meaningful, evidence-based opioid treatment.

REGISTER NOW

Continuing Education Information:

Nurses: North Country Health Consortium/NNH AHEC is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Northeast Multistate Division Education Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This activity has been approved for up to 12.0 Nursing Contact Hour(s). Activity #633 Provider Number N002976

Physicians: 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 North Country Health Consortium/NNH AHEC and Medical Care Development. The North Country Health Consortium/NNH AHEC is accredited by the NH Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The North Country Health Consortium/NNH AHEC designates this live activity for a maximum of 12.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Social Workers: This program has been approved for up to 12.0 Category A Continuing Education Credits by the National Association for Social Workers, NH Chapter, CE #4544 A-L.

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors: This program has been approved through the New Hampshire Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Professionals for up to 12 hours.

Others: Up to 12.0 Professional Hour of Continuing Education.

This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $474,667 annually with 100% funded by HRSA/ HHS under award number UU7TH54328‐01‐00. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

The Northern Border Rural Workforce program (NBRW) is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,598,549 with 0 percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.