Massachusetts OTP TTA Center

OTP Staff Discussion Hour and Introduction to the Quality of Care Virtual Toolkit
2025-11-06 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual, MA, United States
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
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.

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.

Reimagining Patient-Centered Care in OTPs
2025-02-12 13:00 - 14:00
This webinar supported OTP staff in deepening their understanding of person-centered care and its impact on treatment outcomes. Presenters from Spectrum Health Services shared how they promote patient agency and collaborative decision-making, while a Recovery Coach with lived experience offered insights into navigating recovery and meeting the needs of individuals in care.

Telehealth Best Practices for SUD and Considerations for Engagement in Counseling
2025-01-14 12:00 - 13:30
This webinar explored strategies to improve patient outcomes through telehealth, with insights from CODAC Behavioral Healthcare and a spotlight on Massachusetts Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs). Topics included identifying barriers to telehealth, recognizing its effectiveness, and understanding the cultural shifts needed to support successful implementation in counseling settings for individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD).

Best Practices for Patient-Centered Care: Expanding Infectious Disease Testing in OTPs
2024-11-19 12:00 - 13:30
This roundtable brought together Massachusetts Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), and the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS) to discuss infectious disease testing and linkage to care. The session covered state and federal regulations, best practices, and strategies to expand testing for HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis in OTP settings.

Increasing Access to Take-Home Medications
2024-10-22 12:00 - 13:30
This roundtable featured Behavioral Health Network (BHN) and focused on strategies to enhance access to take-home medications in OTPs. OTP staff connected to share successes, challenges, and practical approaches to support patient-centered care.

Navigating Federal Regulations for OTPs: An Open Q&A with SAMHSA
2024-09-16 11:00 - 12:30
Please join us for an open Q&A session focused on the latest federal regulations for OTPs. Representatives from SAMHSA will be on hand to answer your questions, offering direct insights and clarifications on the new regulations. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to engage with the experts!

Impact of New Federal Regulations in Opioid Treatment Programs
2024-06-27 14:00 - 15:30, 2024-06-12 14:00 - 15:30
In June, OTP colleagues across the state joined to learn about the regulatory changes and discuss considerations for implementation. While these sessions were focused on community-based OTPs, some training content may apply to any OTP-certified program, such as Intensive 24-Hour Diversionary Medically Managed Withdrawal Management Services, 24-Hour Diversionary Medically Managed Withdrawal Management, Services, and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs Operated by Penal Facilities. Virtual opportunities were offered to detail the waiver from certain regulatory requirements and specific guidance to align 42 CFR Part 8 and 105 CMR 164.000.
Participants were able to ask questions to clarify guidance, discuss alignment with regulatory requirements, and identify opportunities for navigating the changes.
Discussion:

Overview of the changes within the new regulations.
Consideration of changes and how they may impact OTP daily operations and the patient experience.
Collective experiences and insights to navigate the path forward together.
