At Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS), we are committed to staying at the forefront of best practices and innovative approaches in the treatment of substance use disorders.
This commitment was on full display as several of our dedicated staff members attended this year’s Department of Health Care Services (DCHS) Annual Substance Use Disorder Integrated Care Conference. Held on August 13 – 15 at the Hyatt Long Beach and Long Beach Convention Center, attendees engaged with behavioral health, primary care, and substance use treatment leaders and keynote speakers.
Why Integrated Care Matters
Substance use disorders (SUD) are complex conditions that often co-occur with other mental and physical health issues. Treating these disorders in isolation can lead to fragmented care, missed diagnoses, and ultimately, poorer outcomes for individuals seeking recovery. Integrated care models, which combine behavioral health and primary care services, offer a more holistic approach to treatment, addressing all aspects of a person’s well-being. This conference provided an invaluable opportunity for our team to deepen their understanding of these models and explore new ways to implement them in our own programs.
Reaching the 95%
A highlight of the conference was the Plenary Speech titled “Redesigning Specialty Substance Use Disorder Systems to Better Reach the 95%”. This panel featured insights from leading experts including Dr. Gary Tsai, Director of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC); Phebe Bell, Director of Behavioral Health for Nevada County; Veronica Kelly, Director of the Orange County Health Care Agency; and Rhyan Miller, Deputy Director of Integrated Programs for Riverside University Health System. The central theme was “meeting people where they are,” emphasizing the creation of flexible, accessible services that can engage individuals within their own communities. The speakers shared innovative strategies aimed at improving accessibility, integrating services, and fostering community-based approaches that truly resonate with and support those in need.
Key Topics from the Conference:
The conference provided a comprehensive platform for our staff to learn from the latest developments in the field of substance use disorder treatment. Here are some of the workshops that our team found particularly impactful:
- Addiction Stigma Reduction Tailored to California’s Latinx Population
- Integrating Person-Centered Care in SUD Treatment
- Engaging the Missing in Treatment Population
- Strengthening Substance Use Disorder Service Delivery
- Developing a Behavioral Health Workforce Pipeline Strategy
- Deciphering the Codes: Connecting Clinical Services to Medi-Cal Billing Codes
- Coming Out Stories and Why They Matter When Working with 2SLGBTQIA+ Clients
- Facilitating Reentry and the Prison-to-Professional Pipeline
- Reducing High No-Show Rates for Outpatient Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Appointments
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) & Desensitization of Triggers and Urge Reprocessing
- Housing is Health: SUD Recovery Housing in LA County
- Burnout – Balancing Support with Professional Accountability
The ASAM Criteria 4th edition
In his closing plenary speech titled “Implications for California’s Drug Medi-Cal System of Care,” Dr. Brian Hurley, Medical Director of SAPC, emphasized the transformative impact of the ASAM Criteria 4th Edition on the state’s Drug Medi-Cal System. Dr. Hurley highlighted how the 4th Edition’s focus on a comprehensive continuum of care and multidimensional assessment can significantly enhance the delivery of substance use treatment. He noted that the updated criteria are instrumental in promoting individualized, patient-centered care that fully integrates services for co-occurring disorders. By aligning Medi-Cal services with these standards, California can ensure that all levels of care are better equipped to address the complex needs of individuals, ultimately leading to improved treatment outcomes and a more cohesive system of care.
Bringing It All Back to SMRS
The knowledge and insights gained from this conference will undoubtedly influence the work we do at SMRS. The event highlighted the importance of trauma-informed care, lowering barriers to treatment, and addressing co-occurring disorders—areas where SMRS has been a pioneer, particularly in treating co-occurring disorders within a residential setting. Our staff are already discussing ways to integrate these vital principles into our programs, ensuring that we continue to lead in providing the highest quality care.
At SMRS, we are committed not only to reaching the 95% of individuals who need our services but also to ensuring that the remaining 5% receive the best possible care tailored to their unique needs. Attending events like the Substance Use Disorder Integrated Care Conference is essential to our mission of supporting all individuals on their journey to recovery. By staying informed and connected with the broader field, SMRS remains at the forefront of compassionate, personalized care for substance use disorders.
