An Evidence-based Prevention Response to Pennsylvania’s Opioid Epidemic:

The Opioid Misuse Prevention ProjectPennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP)

Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD)

Evidence-based Prevention and Intervention Support Center (EPISCenter), Edna Bennett Pierce

Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University

Opioid Misuse Prevention Project (OMPP) Webinar OverviewFunding for this project is made possible by the PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs via a State Opioid Response Grant from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

• How serious is youth substance misuse in Pennsylvania?

• What works in prevention?

• What is the proposed approach and funding level?

• Who is eligible to apply?

• What are the specific expectations & components of the project?

• How to apply?

Overview | 2

Youth Substance Misuse in PennsylvaniaYouth and the Opioid Crisis in Pennsylvania

• Misusing prescription opioids2

5% of youth report misuse in their lifetime

• Access to prescription opioids2

39% of those youth who misused gained access from the medicine cabinet of their family members

25% of all youth say prescription drugs are easy to get

• The danger?25% of the youth who misused prescription drugs before age 14 were at elevated risk

for developing a substance abuse disorder later in life

1. Pennsylvania Youth Survey, 20172. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-adolescent-substance-use-disorder-treatment-research-based-guide The Problem| 3

Youth Substance Misuse in PennsylvaniaNot Just Opioids – Abuse of alcohol and other substances also matter!

• Rates of alcohol use in 8th, 10th and 12th grade in Pennsylvania is HIGHER than the national average2

• Past month alcohol use2

22.3% of 10th graders 9.3% of 8th graders

• Access to alcohol?2

41% of 12th graders gave someone money to buy it for them 40% of 8th and 10th graders took it without permission from a family member

• The danger?Alcohol use before the age of 15 increases risk of developing a substance use disorder in

adulthood1

The Problem| 41. Pennsylvania Youth Survey, 20172. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-adolescent-substance-use-disorder-treatment-research-based-guide

Important Question for Potential Applicants:

1. How severe is youth substance use locally?

What does your local school district PAYS data show?

How does it compare to the state averages?

The good news is we know what works!

The Problem| 5

…and what doesn’t work.

What Doesn’t Work in Prevention

• Scare Tactics Don’t Work for KidsScare tactics or dramatic stories

about overdoses can backfire, and tempt a youth to try the substance you are trying to prevent them from using.

• Adolescent brains are different This effects their risk-seeking and

decision-making.They are more curious about scary

or off-limit topics.

What Works in Prevention| 7

What Doesn’t Work in Prevention

What Works in Prevention| 7

What Works in Prevention: Trifecta Approach

What Works in Prevention| 9

What Works in Prevention

What Works in Prevention| 9

Risk Factors:

predictors of problem

behavior in

adolescence

Protective Factors:

conditions that

buffer against risk

factors

What Works in Prevention| 11

What Works in Prevention

© 2013 Center for Communities That Care, University of Washington

Community

Family

School

Peer/Individual

Prosocial orAntisocial Behaviors

What Works in Prevention| 12

What Works in Prevention

What Works in Prevention

Cross-contextual approaches are more effective than school, family, or individual focused programs alone!

What Works in Prevention| 12

Effective Programs for Opioid Misuse Reduction

Strengthening Families Program 10-14 (SFP 10-14)

• 7 Sessions

• One per week

• Two hours

• Caregivers and youth participate in fun, interactive skill and knowledge building activities.

LifeSkills Training (LST)

• Level 1: 18 Sessions

• 1-2 per week

• 50 Minutes

• Youth participate in fun role plays, and activities to build skills and knowledge

Effective Programs for Opioid Misuse Reduction | 14

LST and LST/SFP10-14 Outcomes- Parents are Key

https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-

events/nida-notes/2015/12/life-skills-

training-shields-teens-prescription-

opioid-misuse

For every $1 invested in LST and

SFP 10-14 combined prevention

approach Penn State’s Prosper

Project saved the state $1.89 in costs

associated with the misuse of

prescription opioids.

Effective Programs for Opioid Misuse Reduction | 15

By applying what we’ve learned from prevention science…

Schools, Communities, and Families Can Work Together to Prevent Substance Misuse Before it Starts.

Prevention is Key to Combatting the Opioid Crisis | 16

Project Overview and Funding

• Funding provided by:PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs via State Opioid Response Grant from

the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration

• Maximum award for initial 12 months: $275,000Funding for additional four years, contingent on availability and satisfactory review

• 6 Month Planning, Hiring and Training Phase Begins July 1, 2019

• First Year of Implementation of SFP 10-14 and LST6-months after start of project

• Funding availability10 sites (4 initial; 6 additional in Cohort 2)

Project Overview | 17

Project Overview

Proposed strategy for effective upstream prevention: 1. Evidence-based prevention infrastructure model such as Communities That

Care “CTC”, PROSPER, Community Schools, or Drug Free Communities

2. Local prevention workforce development through provision of high quality training and technical assistance for local practitioners

3. Public health messaging campaign, featuring social development strategy.

4. Delivery of LifeSkills Training (Middle School-level), and the Strengthening Families 10-14 programs

5. Evaluating program implementation and outcomes impact on reducing youth problems (e.g., opioid misuse) and promoting community health

Project Overview | 18

Project Goals

Overarching Goal: • Promote healthy youth development and prevent youth substance misuse.

Objectives• Promote healthy coping for youth and caregivers

• Decrease youth intention to try substances

• Promote youth caregiver communication about substance misuse

• Increase community use of drop boxes to decrease youth access to prescription drugs

• Decrease stigma associated with substance use disorder

• Promote awareness of the importance of early intervention

• Decrease the use of potentially harmful prevention strategies such as “scare tactics”

Project Overview | 18

Who is Eligible?

• School Districts, Single County Authorities, and non-profits:Schools are the ideal applicant

SCA's and other Non-Profit Organizations are eligible to apply as coordinating and/or fiscal agents with approval from the school district.

Evidence of strong collaborative relationships between Single County Authority, School, and Non-Profit(s) must be shown via partnership agreement (see appendix A in the Funding Announcement)

Who is Eligible? | 20

Who is Eligible?

Other Eligibility Requirements:Able to commit to a five year projectPast 2015 and 2017 PAYS ParticipationCommitment to participate in PAYS in 2019 & 2021 and share summary

reports for evaluation purposesInvolvement of a community prevention infrastructure model, ideal examples

include:• Community Schools

http://www.communityschools.org/aboutschools/what_is_a_community_school.aspx• Communities That Care http://episcenter.psu.edu/ctc• PROSPER http://helpingkidsprosper.org/• Drug Free Communities Coalition https://www.cadca.org/drug-free-communities-dfc-

program

Who is Eligible? | 21

Who is Eligible?

Multiple School Districts:• Joint applications from multiple school districts will be accepted

• All eligibility requirements must be met by all school districts

• All school districts must sign the Appendix A- partnership agreement

• Additional information must be provided within the proposal to show justification for a combined application. (See Multiple School District Application Questions)

Who is Eligible? | 22

Key Full Time Project Staff

Project Coordinator

• Oversee all aspects of project implementation

• Work closely with the EPISCenter

• Participate in Learning Community meetings

• Complete program and fiscal reporting

• Serve as a facilitator for SFP 10-14

Administrative Support Staff

• Coordinate all logistics for trainings, meetings, etc.

• Coordinate pre/post administration and data collection

• Data entry for pre/post and fidelity measures

• Coordinate ordering and securing needed materials

• Serve as a facilitator for SFP 10-14

Specific Expectations and Components | 23

Planning and Implementation

EPISCenter Technical Assistance• Intensive planning and readiness support for first 6 months of the project

• Monthly Learning Community calls for Project Coordinators and Administrative Support staff

• 1-2 site visits per year from the Implementation Specialist and/or Evaluation Coordinator

• Coordination of training

• Phone calls and email support as needed

• Coordinated development of public health campaign strategy and materials for local dissemination

Specific Expectations and Components | 24

Required Component

Public Health Messaging Campaign• Build awareness of healthy coping skills for stress and pain

• Build awareness of the risks that alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana pose to youth

• Build awareness of the importance of bonding, opportunities for pro-social activities, and rewards for prosocial activities to protect youth

• Promote the use of drop boxes for disposing of old medications

• Decrease stigma around substance misuse disorder and treatment

• Promote awareness of the importance of early intervention

Specific Expectations and Components | 25

Required Component

Communities That Care - Social Development Strategy (SDS)

• Develop at least one SDS facilitator (6-9 months after start of project)

• Participate in Parts One and Two of the SDS training (4 hours)

• Participate in one day Training of Trainers (7 hours)

• Organize SDS trainings for their community

Specific Expectations and Components | 26

Required Component

LifeSkills Training Program (LST)• Train all middle school Health teachers within first 6-months of the project

start date

• After training, begin delivery to all students over the following three year schedule:• Level 1: 18 sessions, Plus Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Module

• Level 2: 10 sessions

• Level 3: 5 sessions

• Administer pre/post measures for all youth

• Observe 20% of lessons for model fidelity

Specific Expectations and Components | 27

Required Component

Strengthening Families Program for Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14)

• Partner with one or more provider organizations

• Train 15 facilitators within first 6-months of the project

• Goal: All 6th grade families participate

• Begin delivery approximately 6-months after project start date: 4 cohorts, serve approximately 12-15 families/cohort

• 7 weekly sessions, 2.5 hours per session

• Administer pre/post measures for all youth and families

• Observe 20% of lessons for model fidelity

Specific Expectations and Components | 28

Determining Program Impact and Success:

• EPISCenter will provide training and support for local impact assessment

• OMPP Program Coordinator will work closely with EPISCenter staff to• Assess program impact using pre/post measures• Assess model fidelity using fidelity checklist tools• Use this data to maintain and/or improve quality of implementation• Use this data to communicate project successes to the community• Ensure PAYS survey is administered for grades 6, 8, 10 & 12 in 2019 and 2021• Track Social Development Strategy (SDS) trainings• Track public health campaign messaging activities

• Overall Project Evaluation will be completed by EPISCenter and PSU, with participation from project and site staff

Specific Expectations and Components | 29

How to Apply

• PCCD Funding Announcement to be released in Egrants:https://www.pccd.pa.gov/Funding/Pages/default.aspx

• Review the Funding Announcement for all due dates

• Required Partnership Agreement1. County Drug and Alcohol Office or Single County Authority2. School district superintendent, middle school building principals, health

teachers3. Local youth and family serving partner organization(s)

• Letter of support from Prevention Infrastructure ModelIdeal examples include: Communities that Care, Drug Free Communities,

Prosper, or Community Schools

How to Apply | 30

How to Apply

• Proposal Narrative: Due to the prescribed nature of this project, a detailed timeline has been

developed with a list of key deliverables. It is strongly recommended that applicants take the time to review this timeline and the full Funding Announcement prior to starting to write their proposal.

• For each required component, applicants are asked to share:Strengths

Plans for staffing

Plans for meeting key deliverables

How to Apply | 31

How to Apply

• Additionally applicants are asked to anticipate potential barriers and areas where they will need support.

• Important Note: the description of barriers within your proposal will not result in a loss of points in your application score. Failure to anticipate any barriers could be viewed as a lack of a thoughtful application, and may result in a lower score.

• Project budgets will be worked on with applicants with help by PCCD and the EPISCenter.

How to Apply | 32

Opioid Misuse Prevention Project (OMPP)www.episcenter.psu.edu/OMPP

How to Apply | 32

Questions?

1. All questions should be submitted to PCCD by emailing:

• RA-PCCD-OJJDP@pa.gov

• Use the Subject Line: Opioid Misuse Prevention Project Cohort 2

2. Questions and answers will be posted for the benefit of all applicants here: www.pccd.pa.gov/Funding/Pages/Funding-announcement-QA.aspx

• Select: Opioid Misuse Prevention Project Cohort 2

3. The EPISCenter will be unable to respond to questions about the project while the funding announcement is open.

How to Apply | 33

Not sure how to get started in Egrants? Watch this five minute tutorial! https://youtu.be/Hqb98cGGrE8

How to Apply | 34

Project Budget Planning Resources

•Excel Worksheet (revised)

•Brief Tutorial

•Located on EPISCenter’s OMPP websitehttp://www.episcenter.psu.edu/OMPP

Thank you!The EPISCenter is a collaborative partnership between the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), and the Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, College of Health and Human Development, Penn State University. The EPISCenter is funded by DHS and PCCD. This resource was developed by the EPISCenter through PCCD grant VP-ST-28768.

206 Towers Building, University Park, PA 16802

Phone : (814) 863-2568 Email: EPISCenter@psu.edu

www.EPISCenter.org

/EPISCenterPSU @EPIS_Center