The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) will launch a new Training Management System (TMS) in January 2024. To facilitate the transition, the current TMS and DDAP courses in TrainPA will be frozen at 3:00 pm Thursday, December 7, until the system’s launch on January 4, 2024. DDAP emphasizes the importance of verifying matching email addresses in both systems to mitigate potential record loss during the migration process. Users are strongly encouraged to conclude any ongoing TrainPA trainings and finalize pending course evaluations within the current TMS before the freeze period. For further assistance, users may contact the DDAP Training Section via email.
DDAP
State Licensed 312 Recovery Houses, Far Short of Its Goal: RCPA Member Gaudenzia Quoted
More Than 300 Recovery Houses Now Licensed In Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announced today that 312 recovery houses are now licensed throughout the commonwealth.
Since the licensure program began, DDAP has provided hands-on technical assistance to recovery house owners and continues to work individually with applicants to ensure accurate submissions when applying. DDAP developed and now offers a new provider workshop that has helped to increase accuracy of applications, which further streamlines and expedites the licensure process.
The purpose of DDAP’s recovery house licensure program is to help empower sustained recovery for individuals with substance use disorder by ensuring a network of safe drug and alcohol recovery houses across Pennsylvania.
A listing of licensed recovery houses as well as information regarding the licensing application process can be found on the DDAP website.
Shapiro Administration Highlights “One-Stop-Shop” Services For SUD Treatment, Recovery In Luzerne County: RCPA Member Children’s Services Center Referenced
$19M Loan Forgiveness Not Enough to Rebuild Recovery Workforce: RCPA SUD Treatment Services Director Jason Snyder Quoted
Save the Date: DDAP to Host 2023 Emerging Drug Trend Symposium
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) will host the 2023 Emerging Drug Trend Symposium from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm on Thursday, November 9, at the Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, PA. The symposium will provide attendees with valuable insights into three key areas: the latest trends in drug use within Pennsylvania, shifts in overdose patterns with a particular focus on increasing rates of overdose deaths in communities of color, and the exploration of best practices and innovative strategies to effectively respond to these emerging drug trends. Registration details and an agenda will be available soon.
DDAP Releases Results From Workforce Climate Survey
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) recently conducted a comprehensive survey and listening session to assess the state’s substance use disorder (SUD) workforce. The Workforce Climate Survey results reveal a substantial workforce shortage, with 84% of the nearly 500 respondents citing it as a significant problem. The vacancy rate for SUD positions averaged 18%, with notable variations based on organization size and location. Larger, well-established non-profit organizations in metropolitan areas reported higher vacancy rates, and critical positions, such as counselors, nurses, entry-level professionals, and peer specialists, were particularly challenging to fill. Recruitment and retention issues were attributed to limited applicant pools and difficulties in offering competitive compensation.
The survey participants offered recommendations for both short and long-term solutions. These recommendations included increasing reimbursement rates, reducing education and experience requirements, alleviating paperwork burdens, and expanding student loan forgiveness and tuition reimbursement programs. In response to these findings, DDAP plans to use the survey data to inform its state plan, regulatory reform, and the allocation of opioid settlement funding. The department’s future efforts will focus on increasing the supply of addiction professionals, leveraging technology, addressing workforce distribution across the state, and enhancing workforce resilience to support Pennsylvania’s SUD workforce better and mitigate the ongoing overdose crisis.
DDAP Seeks Public Input on PA SUPTRS Block Grant Submission
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is inviting public comments on the Pennsylvania Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services (SUPTRS) Block Grant submission. The submission process consists of three parts: the draft of the Substance Use Prevention Treatment and Recovery Services Assessment and Plan, or Mini-Application, which is currently open for review; the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Report, which is to be posted in November; and the Annual Synar Report, which is to be available in December. These documents can be accessed here using “citizenpa” as the login and “citizen” as the password. Public comments are requested to be submitted electronically by September 30.
DDAP Secretary Addresses International Overdose Awareness Day in Memorial Event
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) aims to end overdose deaths globally, fostering stigma-free remembrance and recognizing the pain experienced by families and friends. This campaign raises awareness about the grave public health crisis posed by overdoses, igniting discussions and actions based on evidence-backed strategies for prevention.
Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones participated in a poignant memorial event at the state capitol this morning, Thursday, August 31. She highlighted the transformation of the Capitol steps into a temporary memorial, signifying the enduring memories of loved ones. Dr. Davis-Jones emphasized embracing emotions authentically on this day. Her call to action urges collective responsibility to honor lives lost, emphasizing overdose preventability and the hope of recovery from addiction. Additionally, she shared resources aligned with IOAD’s theme and addressed equity-related dimensions of the overdose crisis, including how racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately affected. Resources provided by DDAP include:
General Resources:
- Get Help Now Hotline
- Get Naloxone
- Find Substance Use Disorder Treatment
- Just Five — Substance Use Disorder Education and Prevention
IOAD Resources:
- PAStop — International Overdose Awareness Day Resources
- DEA — International Overdose Awareness Day
- CDC — Stop Overdose Website
Equity-Related Resources:
DDAP Launches Recovery Month With “Arts Heal” Kickoff Event on Sept. 6
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is celebrating the start of Recovery Month at 12:00 pm on September 6 at Pennsylvania’s State Capitol Rotunda with the “Arts Heal” event. This year’s focus is on the transformative power of art in recovery, with art displays, live performances, demonstrations, recovery speakers, and appearances by special guests.
Recovery Month is a time dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of substance use disorders and recognizing the achievements of individuals in recovery. Observed annually in the United States, it aims to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible. This yearly observance celebrates the millions of people in recovery and reminds us that behavioral health is essential to an overall happy life. Recovery Month is an opportunity to tell the world that prevention works, that treatment is effective, and that people can, and do, recover.
Throughout September, the initiative aims to honor individuals in recovery, spread hope, and raise awareness about the importance of behavioral health. There are meaningful ways to participate in Recovery Month, including:
- Save the date for the Sept. 6 kickoff event and spread awareness by sharing the flier;
- Emphasize the possibility of recovery from addiction through proper treatment and support, pointing to available resources on DDAP’s website;
- Show your support during “Purple Day” in September by wearing purple, sharing a photo on social media, and using hashtags like #RecoveryMonth and #Recovery; and
- Share your story of recovery as these stories inspire hope and strength.
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