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Santa Fe Prevention Alliance And Santa Fe County Community Services Department To Co-Host “Mat 360: Creating A Circle Of Care Around Medication Assisted Treatment”

On Saturday, April 14, 2018, the Santa Fe Prevention Alliance in partnership with Santa Fe County Community Services Department will host a conference that aims to build community capacity to help people who are opioid dependent. The free event is sponsored by the NM Opioid State Targeted Response (STR) Initiative and will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. Diverse community members are encouraged to join an interactive day of learning focused on a medication assisted continuum of care.

Called MAT 360: Creating a Circle of Care Around Medication Assisted Treatment, the conference is open to any community member seeking to learn about effective healthcare for opioid use disorder and to improve one’s ability to support those who use opioids problematically. A core goal is to enhance collaboration among community partners to promote quality and effective MAT. Registration is required and available online at www.santafepreventionalliance.org.

Expert speakers will share from professional and personal experience to promote an understanding of individuals’ complex needs. Education will emphasize the value of nonjudgmental and trauma informed care and the integration of primary and behavioral healthcare.

“Our approach is to offer an informative and engaging event that gives voice to many perspectives,” says Jennifer Manzanares, Opiate Policy Coordinator for the Santa Fe Prevention Alliance and a member of the conference planning team. “Whether you’re a family member, nurse, teacher, social worker, police officer, or judge, MAT 360 will help you deepen your understanding of what it means to have opioid dependence, and how to work more collaboratively to help our communities in recovery.”

Conference sessions will address medication and pain management options, best practices related to assessment and support throughout treatment, and opioid overdose prevention and response. A culminating workshop will highlight the Santa Fe County Accountable Health Community project and encourage participants to form new partnerships and strengthen existing ones.

“It takes an array of supports and pathways to help people with opioid use disorder. Santa Fe County is excited to promote enhanced services and coordination so people seeking treatment can get the compassionate and effective care they deserve,” says Rachel O’Connor, Director of the Santa Fe County Community Services Department. “We expect MAT 360 to stimulate new ideas and connections and for participants to end the day feeling empowered and prepared to get to work.”

Registration is required and available online at www.santafepreventionalliance.org.

Sophie Andar
Santa Fe Prevention Alliance
505.467.2525
sandar@sfps.k12.nm.us  
www.santafepreventionalliance.org.