Massachusetts OTP TTA Center

OTP 101 For Community Partners: Collaboration and Connecting Systems of Care
2026-02-26 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual, MA, United States
Providing patient-centered care for individuals receiving treatment services for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) requires coordination across healthcare and social service providers. Establishing connections and interagency collaboration among OTPs and community agencies, such as emergency departments, skilled nursing facilities, and correctional institutions, can support long-term recovery.
Participants will hear from Dr. Ruth A. Potee, a Massachusetts-based addiction medicine physician who speaks nationally on addiction, substance use, and the development of the teenage brain to audiences of parents, students, medical professionals, teachers, school counselors, emergency medical workers, courthouse staff, law enforcement, correctional officers, and the general public.
Dr. Potee has tailored this 1-hour webinar to provide key information to providers working with OTPs in Massachusetts. We hope to bridge basic awareness of OTP services with opportunities to partner, from navigating the 72-hour rule and chain-of-custody delivery to understanding the new flexibility in methadone treatment admissions.
This session is designed to leave plenty of time for Dr. Potee to answer your questions.
Who Should Attend?: All staff (clinical, administrative, and support) who work with patients who receive methadone for OUD.

Emergency Departments & Hospitals
PCPs, Pharmacies, & Withdrawal Management
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
Jails, Prisons & Legal Settings
OBATs & Community Health Centers
Peer Recovery Centers & Residential Programs

By the end of this session, participants will be able to::

Identify basic treatment elements of Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs)
Assess how biases and other barriers affect patient care
Summarize key changes in OTP patient care
Identify opportunities to partner with OTPs

Register for one of the upcoming sessions (Virtual, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST)
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Thursday, June 25, 2026

Continuing Education: Continuing education credits are available. Attendees must complete the event evaluation in order to receive educational credits.
National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC): This course has been approved by the Center for Excellence on Addiction at JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1.0 contact hours of educational credits. NAADAC Provider #255263. Center for Excellence on Addiction at JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
Individuals participating in educational programs offered by NAADAC Approved Education Providers are assured that the continuing education (CE) hours provided for each course will be accepted toward national credentialing by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP), as well as many of the individual state licensing/certification bodies in the addiction and other helping professions. It is at the discretion of the individual to confirm CE acceptance policies with their state licensing/certification board.

OTP Staff Discussion Hour with Samson Teklemariam
2026-02-19 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for an open forum designed specifically for OTP staff! This session will continue the conversation around self-care and addiction treatment with Samson Teklemariam. Samson will dive deeper into the vicarious trauma toolkit introduced in the Self-Care in Addiction Treatment: Addressing Burnout and Vicarious Trauma webinar, offering practical ways to apply these strategies in your work.
This is an open, intimate space to share your successes, ideas, and questions. We’ve carved out dedicated time for questions regarding the webinar, the tools, or anything for Samson in general as a clinician and SME.
Join our listserv to receive details to access the session and updates on the latest events & resources.

Self-Care in Addiction Treatment: Addressing Burnout and Vicarious Trauma
2026-02-18 13:00 - 14:00
Feeling burned out? You’re not alone. 93% of behavioral health employees have recently experienced burnout, according to the National Council on Mental Wellbeing. Join Samson Teklemariam, LPC, CPTM for this interactive training on preventing and recovering from burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. While staying healthy and self-aware is a professional requirement for helping those in need, the reality is that many addiction professionals find it difficult to prioritize their own care. This session uses evidence-based tools and interactive exercises to help you assess your current burnout level and create a realistic, personalized approach to professional wellness.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Examine practical applications for the 8 domains of self-care in addiction treatment and recovery settings.
Create an individualized vicarious trauma prevention toolbox that will include prevention skills, intervention strategies, and recovery steps.
Describe best practices for self-care as an addiction professional.

Samson Teklemariam, LPC, CPTM is a nationally recognized clinical leader in Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) and a trusted voice in advancing patient-centered responses to the opioid crisis. As Vice President of Clinical Services for Behavioral Health Group, he oversees integrated counseling and treatment services across 22 states, leading the transformation of traditional OTP models into clinically engaged systems of care. Formerly NAADAC’s Director of Training and Professional Development, Samson collaborated with SAMHSA and HRSA on national workforce initiatives and is known for translating policy, data, and evidence-based practice into practical strategies that strengthen OTP teams and improve patient outcomes.
Continuing Education: Continuing education credits are available. Attendees must complete the event evaluation in order to receive educational credits.
National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC): This course has been approved by the Center for Excellence on Addiction at JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1.0 contact hours of educational credits. NAADAC Provider #255263. Center for Excellence on Addiction at JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
Individuals participating in educational programs offered by NAADAC Approved Education Providers are assured that the continuing education (CE) hours provided for each course will be accepted toward national credentialing by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP), as well as many of the individual state licensing/certification bodies in the addiction and other helping professions. It is at the discretion of the individual to confirm CE acceptance policies with their state licensing/certification board.

OTP Staff Discussion Hour with Eileen Rush
2026-02-05 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for an open forum designed specifically for OTP staff! Gain access to the following valuable resources, created in response to the SAMHSA Final Rule (Part 8) and DPH Guidance.

Screening Exam Form
Individualized Patient Counseling Plan
Monthly Take Home Assessment Form

This week’s session will be facilitated by Eileen Rush, LMHC. Rush has served as the Program Director at North Charles OTP in Cambridge since 2012, bringing extensive experience in regulatory work and clinical leadership.
This is is a casual, drop-in event where you can:

Chat with OTP colleagues about challenges, wins, and creative solutions
Discover helpful resources and best practices from other OTPs
Build new connections and strengthen our OTP community

No formal agenda—just drop in, join the conversation, and take what’s helpful to you. Join our listserv to receive details to access the session and updates on the latest events & resources.

Conflict Resolution: Strategies for Your OTP Team
2026-01-21 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for a practical learning session with Dr. Peter Fifield on the foundations of conflict resolution. This 1-hour session offers real-world examples and attainable practices that OTPs can apply to positively influence conflict resolution.
Key concepts covered:

Verbal and Non Verbal Communication
Trauma Informed Environmental Factors
AVADE (™) Basics

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

List 2-3 foundations of conflict resolution
Identify trauma-informed approaches to environmental factors in the OTP setting
Assess how verbal and non-verbal communication affects relationships

Peter Fifield, Ed.D MLADC, LCMHC is the Director of Behavioral Health Services at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, NH. He has a doctoral degree from the University of New England and is dual licensed in NH as a clinical mental health counselor and a master licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Peter has been a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers since 2011. For over twenty years he has been working in the field of trauma-informed integrated behavioral health and the treatment of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

OTP Staff Discussion Hour: Community Conversation on Direct Admissions
2026-01-15 13:30 - 14:30
This open discussion will be co-facilitated by Sasha Bianchi, MPH, Director of the OTP TTA Center, and Donna Beers, MSN, RN-BC, CARN, Associate Director, Hospital-Based Substance Use Disorder Care TTA at Boston Medical Center. We want to hear from staff about what’s preventing streamlined direct admissions, what’s working well, and what would make the process more feasible. No preparation is needed.
Share Your Experience Through our Direct Admissions Survey
This brief survey allows you to provide feedback about barriers, successes, and needed support related to direct admissions.
Take the Survey on Direct Admissions at Your OTP
Your participation, whether through the survey, the conversation, or both, will ensure that the realities of OTP operations inform the resources and support being developed for the field.
Join our listserv to receive details to access the session and updates on the latest events & resources.

OTP Staff Discussion Hour with Anthony English
2026-01-08 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for an open forum designed specifically for OTP staff! Gain access to the following valuable resources at this week’s session, facilitated by Anthony English:

Split Dose Scenarios
Methadone Induction (rapid induction vs when to avoid rapid induction)
Methadone Dose Adjustment Requests
BHN Methadone Missed Dose Policy
Missed Methadone Doses – Without Daily Fentanyl Use
Missed Methadone Doses – With Daily Fentanyl Use
Methadone Missed Dose – Calculator

This is is a casual, drop-in event where you can:

Chat with OTP colleagues about challenges, wins, and creative solutions
Discover helpful resources and best practices from other OTPs
Build new connections and strengthen our OTP community

No formal agenda—just drop in, join the conversation, and take what’s helpful to you. Join our listserv to receive details to access the session and updates on the latest events & resources.

OTP Staff Discussion Hour with Dr. Shannon Smith-Bernardin
2025-12-18 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for an open forum designed specifically for OTP staff! This is a casual, drop-in event where you can:

Chat with OTP colleagues about challenges, wins, and creative solutions
Discover helpful resources and best practices from other OTPs
Build new connections and strengthen our OTP community

No formal agenda—just drop in, join the conversation, and take what’s helpful to you. Join our listserv to receive details to access the session and updates on the latest events & resources.

Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategies for Opioid Treatment Programs
2025-12-17 13:00 - 14:00
Participants will learn how alcohol harm reduction strategies can meaningfully support patient recovery within OTPs.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Identify at least two alcohol harm reduction strategies that can be used in practice
Demonstrate effective ways to engage patients and colleagues in dialogue around alcohol using a harm reduction approach
Describe how integrating alcohol harm reduction strategies enhances recovery for OTP patients

Dr. Shannon Smith-Bernardin PhD, RN, CNL is a registered nurse researcher, educator, consultant, and health care practitioner. Since 2006 Shannon has worked in healthcare for people experiencing homeless, with expertise in sobering centers for the care of acutely intoxicated adults, alcohol harm reduction, managed alcohol programs, medical respite/ recuperative care, and street-based homeless engagement teams. Shannon has expertise in health services research, program development, and policy efforts. She is a nurse scientist at UCSF School of Nursing and Co-Founder & Immediate Past President of the National Sobering Collaborative, 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Continuing Education: Continuing education credits are available. Attendees must complete the event evaluation in order to receive educational credits.
National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC): This course has been approved by the Center for Excellence on Addiction at JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1.0 contact hours of educational credits. NAADAC Provider #255263. Center for Excellence on Addiction at JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
Individuals participating in educational programs offered by NAADAC Approved Education Providers are assured that the continuing education (CE) hours provided for each course will be accepted toward national credentialing by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP), as well as many of the individual state licensing/certification bodies in the addiction and other helping professions. It is at the discretion of the individual to confirm CE acceptance policies with their state licensing/certification board.

OTP Staff Discussion Hour with Beth Lafontaine
2025-12-04 13:00 - 14:00

OTP Staff Discussion Hour with Dr. Peter Fifield
2025-11-20 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for an open forum designed specifically for OTP staff! This is a casual, drop-in event where you can:

Chat with OTP colleagues about challenges, wins, and creative solutions
Discover helpful resources and best practices from other OTPs
Build new connections and strengthen our OTP community

No registration or formal agenda—just drop in, join the conversation, and take what’s helpful to you. Join our listserv to receive details to access the session and updates on the latest events & resources.

Motivational Interviewing: Increasing Your Odds for Change
2025-11-18 13:00 - 14:00
This session will provide a review of motivational interviewing (MI), a collaborative approach to communication used to promote change. Key concepts that will be covered include the “spirit” of MI, which emphasizes collaboration, acceptance, compassion, and evocation. The presentation will also detail how MI helps people resolve their ambivalence about change and will discuss specific tools and strategies for dialogue, such as different forms of reflection and managing discord. The webinar will highlight the effectiveness of MI in eliciting “Change Talk” from clients, which in turn leads to more successful change.
Key concepts covered:

The “spirit” of Motivational Interviewing (MI) collaboration, acceptance, compassion, and evocation
How MI helps resolve ambivalence about change
Specific tools and strategies for dialogue, including reflection and managing discord
Effectiveness of MI in eliciting “Change Talk” from clients

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

Identify at least three tools or strategies for dialogue with OTP patients
Implement MI techniques that will elicit “change talk”
Describe the ways MI helps address ambivalence

Continuing Education: Continuing education credits are available. Attendees must complete the event evaluation in order to receive educational credits.
National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC): This course has been approved by the Center for Excellence on Addiction at JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1.0 contact hours of educational credits. NAADAC Provider #255263. Center for Excellence on Addiction at JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
Individuals participating in educational programs offered by NAADAC Approved Education Providers are assured that the continuing education (CE) hours provided for each course will be accepted toward national credentialing by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP), as well as many of the individual state licensing/certification bodies in the addiction and other helping professions. It is at the discretion of the individual to confirm CE acceptance policies with their state licensing/certification board.

OTP Staff Discussion Hour and Introduction to the Quality of Care Virtual Toolkit
2025-11-06 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for an open forum designed specifically for OTP staff! This is a casual, drop-in event where you can:

Chat with OTP colleagues about challenges, wins, and creative solutions
Discover helpful resources and best practices from other OTPs
Build new connections and strengthen our OTP community

The Quality of Care Toolkit was developed based on staff feedback, patient experience data, and regulatory guidance. It’s designed to help address common challenges, share promising practices, and support programs in enhancing service access and overall quality.
No registration or formal agenda—just drop in, join the conversation, and take what’s helpful to you. Join our listserv to receive details to access the session and updates on the latest events & resources.

OTP Staff Discussion Hour with MCPAP for Moms
2025-10-23 13:00 - 14:00

MCPAP for Moms: Addressing SUDs and Mental Health Needs in Perinatal Individuals
2025-10-21 13:00 - 14:00
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Describe the services and resources offered by MCPAP for Moms, including provider consultations, resource referrals, and patient outreach.
Identify the prevalence and impact of perinatal mental health conditions and substance use disorders, with attention to disparities among different racial and ethnic groups.
Access and navigate key community and national resources available to support perinatal individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges.

Continuing Education: Continuing education credits are available. Attendees must complete the event evaluation in order to receive educational credits.
National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC): This course has been approved by the Center for Excellence on Addiction at JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1.0 contact hours of educational credits. NAADAC Provider #255263. Center for Excellence on Addiction at JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
Individuals participating in educational programs offered by NAADAC Approved Education Providers are assured that the continuing education (CE) hours provided for each course will be accepted toward national credentialing by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP), as well as many of the individual state licensing/certification bodies in the addiction and other helping professions. It is at the discretion of the individual to confirm CE acceptance policies with their state licensing/certification board.

OTP Staff Discussion Hour with Anthony English
2025-10-09 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-09-04 13:00 - 14:00

OTP Staff Discussion Hour: Interested in Presenting at the 2026 Convening?
2025-09-25 13:00 - 14:00
An open forum designed specifically for OTP staff! On September 25th we held open office hours for anyone interested in learning more about the Spring 2026 OTP Virtual Convening (March 31 & April 1) and presenter process.
This session included a short (about 20 min) presentation with an overview of the convening, what we’re looking for in proposals, and a step-by-step walk-through of the application. The rest of the time was dedicated to Q&A.
See the reference page for interested presenters for the 2026 Convening.

OTP Staff Discussion Hour with EMO Health
2025-09-18 13:00 - 14:00

Naloxone Distribution in OTP Settings with EMO Health
2025-09-16 13:00 - 14:00
Access to naloxone remains core to providing patient-centered care in OTPs. This webinar will provide practical guidance for OTP staff on how to strengthen naloxone distribution, from understanding the law to navigating pharmacy benefits and improving workflows.
Participants will hear from the team at EMO Health:
Shawnna Smith, LICSW, Director of Substance Use Disorder Services: Shawnna has over a decade of experience across community health, correctional facilities, and addiction treatment settings, with a focus on advancing human rights and social justice.
Elthea Sykes, PharmD, RPh, Greater Boston Regional Pharmacist: Elthea brings extensive experience serving patients with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders, including leadership as a pharmacy manager in inpatient psychiatric care.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Summarize the law regarding naloxone distribution in substance disorder facilities and explain the legal requirements for OTPs
Describe how OTPs can help patients utilize the pharmacy benefits
Identify best practices and a potential workflow for distribution

Continuing Education: Continuing education credits are available. Attendees must complete the event evaluation in order to receive educational credits.
National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC): This course has been approved by the Center for Excellence on Addiction at JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 1.0 contact hours of educational credits. NAADAC Provider #255263. Center for Excellence on Addiction at JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
Individuals participating in educational programs offered by NAADAC Approved Education Providers are assured that the continuing education (CE) hours provided for each course will be accepted toward national credentialing by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP), as well as many of the individual state licensing/certification bodies in the addiction and other helping professions. It is at the discretion of the individual to confirm CE acceptance policies with their state licensing/certification board.

Words Matter: Stigma and Language in the OTP Context
2025-08-19 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for a thought-provoking webinar with Andrea Macone (BSAS) and Michael Jellison (MGH) as they explore how the language we use shapes public perceptions of substance use and recovery. Through real-world examples and open discussion, the speakers will address key questions such as:

Why do words matter?
In what situations can they matter most?
Are there times you would adjust your language depending on the audience?
What are some practical action steps for staff at Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs)?

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Describe the impact of language in framing what the public thinks about substance use and recovery
Give examples of alternatives to stigmatizing language
Get answers to questions about how to discuss substance use with your community using an affirming and strengths-based approach

Patient-Centered Care in OTPs: Aligning Practice with Federal Guidelines
2025-07-22 13:00 - 14:00
OTPs are uniquely positioned to deliver a full continuum of outpatient and intensive outpatient services, ensuring a patient-centered continuity of care as individuals move through recovery.
This webinar will explore how the fourth edition of The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria can be effectively applied within OTP settings to support best practices in holistic substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.
Participants will learn about The ASAM Criteria’s six assessment dimensions and how they are used to determine patient needs, guide clinical decision-making, develop treatment plans, and deliver person-centered care. The session will highlight how aligning OTP services with ASAM-guided treatment planning can improve patient engagement, enhance care coordination, and support long-term recovery.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Identify the six dimensions of The ASAM Criteria, and explain their role in individualized assessment and treatment planning in OTPs.
Describe how applying The ASAM Criteria supports patient-centered care and aligns with recent regulatory changes at OTPs.
Discuss how OTPs are well-equipped to deliver patient-driven care that adapts as patients move through different stages of treatment.

OTP Staff Discussion Hour
2025-06-26 13:00 - 14:00

Program Experiences – Enhancing Infectious Disease Services in the OTP Setting
2025-06-17 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for a webinar on infectious disease services in Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs). The session will begin with an overview of the DPH Best Practice Memo on Infectious Disease Testing and Linkage to Care in OTPs, followed by two guest presenters, from Everest Recovery and Lowell Comprehensive Treatment Center, who will discuss their experience receiving infectious disease technical assistance over the past year. They will share their current workflows for infectious disease testing and linkage to care, along with their notable successes and challenges in this area. Come with questions about infectious disease care and a readiness to share what’s been working well or been challenging at your practice!
By the end of this roundtable, participants will be able to:

Summarize the MA DPH Best Practice Memo
Examine infectious disease testing programs at two MA OTPs
Assess opportunities for enhancing infectious disease testing at their practice

May 2025 OTP Convening on Patient-Centered Care
2025-05-13 12:00 - 16:30, 2025-05-06 12:00 - 16:30
This two-part, statewide virtual convening brought together Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) professionals from across Massachusetts to explore patient-centered care strategies, share challenges and successes, and collaborate on real-world solutions. The agenda includes keynote speakers, regional discussions, interactive breakouts, and guided meditations to support learning and connection. This convening offers up to 6.0 CEUs across multiple disciplines. Certificates will be issued based on attendance and participation.
Visit the Virtual Convening – May 2025 OTP Convening on Patient-Centered Care page to learn about the sessions, speakers, schedule, and more.

Staff Discussion Hour
2025-04-16 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-03-19 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-02-19 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for a casual, staff-led drop-in session designed to connect OTP staff across programs. These open forums are a space to share challenges, celebrate wins, exchange ideas, and learn from each other—no registration or agenda required. Just drop in and join the conversation!

Caring for Pregnant and Parenting People in Opioid Treatment Programs
2025-04-09 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for a webinar exploring how Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) can create more supportive, person-centered environments for pregnant and parenting individuals. We’ll also discuss a recent Massachusetts policy change that helps keep families together by removing automatic reporting requirements for parents in stable recovery. Guest speakers from the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) and Behavioral Health Network (BHN) will share insights and strategies to improve care for this population.
