168 - Assessing Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Training Needs Among Non-Traditional Providers in Rural Communities

Abstract Information: Rural residents experience significant health disparities related to substance use prevention and treatment. Many of the challenges faced by people with behavioral health conditions living in rural areas are due to issues related to whether services are accessible, affordable, available, and acceptable. To determine which areas providers of opioid and stimulant prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and/or nutrition services in rural communities felt they needed training, the Pacific Southwest Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Regional Center (PS ROTA-R) administered a needs assessment survey. Among supplemental nutrition assistance program education (SNAP-Ed) staff, cooperative extension staff, and community service providers (n=1,109), 37% reported having no or slight knowledge of referral strategies for individuals with potential substance use disorders; local coalition or other community efforts in place working to prevent substance misuse; awareness of treatment interventions for women who use stimulants; family support models for individuals in treatment for substance use disorders; accessing medication for opioid use disorder; and use of social media to decrease stigma related to opioid/stimulant use disorders. Whereas among State Opioid Response (SOR) and Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) providers (n=156), more than 30% reported having no or slight knowledge about peer support specialist training; skills in the use of Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT); and skills in the application of motivational interviewing. These results have guided PS ROTA-R’s planning of training and technical assistance activities designed to support nontraditional providers in rural areas.