Training Mental Health and Substance Abuse Providers: Maximizing the Impact of Ryan White Care Act Funding

Date of Report: 01/2006
Source: Southeast ATEC

Problem : Metro Atlanta had scores of mental health and substance abuse professionals whose HIV training needs were not being met.

Solution : Using the AETC platform for maximum efficiency, fund training with Title I MAI dollars. The Southeast AETC (SEATEC) is now in its fifth year of training on aspects of dual diagnosis for this group of urban mental health counselors, substance abuse workers, and case managers, receiving on average $100,000 a year for a series of one-day trainings that reach 50?200 learners at each event.

	In 2002?2003, the training series Still Here focused on optimal substance abuse treatment programs for women with HIV. Still Here explored both residential and day treatment programs, recognizing that women may need different models and structures in treatment than men. The conferences examined some traditional substance abuse treatment models and found that many policies might not prove therapeutic for women. For example, direct confrontation might be an effective tool in substance abuse treatment for men, but it rarely works for women. As an alternative, the conference examined best practices in clinical programs for women and presented them along with the theoretical models that support those practices.
	In 2004, a gifted local actress helped SEATEC create and perform Darlene's Story , a dramatic narrative which explored the care needs of a homeless, schizophrenic, HIV-positive woman who uses crystal methamphetamine. The story was adapted from Lonny Shavelson's book, Hooked , which examines the barriers in community mental health and substance abuse treatment settings for clients with multiple, complex needs. The conference brought the impact of those barriers to life through one woman's experience.
	In 2005, SEATEC used a longitudinal, five-session model to expand the capacity of mental health and substance abuse professionals to address the cultural dynamics that profoundly influence clinical care. Using narrative therapeutic theory, the conference explored the dominant cultural narratives for clients in relation to sexuality and trauma, and for providers in relation to unrealistic expectations for successful clinical outcomes. The conference series, Keys to the First Doors , asked participants to commit to a full-day workshop each month for five months, in order to include ample opportunities for synthesis and practice.

In addition to the funding from Atlanta's Title I Planning Council, the Georgia Department of Human Resources ? Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disability and Addictive Disease supplemented SEATEC's efforts using HIV set-aside funds from its SAMHSA block grant, permitting SEATEC to expand training for substance abuse professionals outside the Title I catchment area into rural portions of the state. In Spring 2006, Title I training will focus on special populations with or at risk for HIV, including transgender persons, adolescents, older adults, and Latino(a)s.

SEATEC views this Title I-funded project as an opportunity to utilize AETC strategies and expertise to reach health care providers beyond the broad range of multidisciplinary, targeted AETC professions, and to develop training for a counseling-clinical setting rather than a medical-clinical setting. Through these efforts, SEATEC has trained more than 1,300 clinicians in Level I, II, and IV events during the past five years.

For additional information, please contact the Southeast AETC at (404) 727-2929.