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The country continues to be adversely affected by the increased use of substances including but not limited to opioids. The increased use of opioids and other drugs has devastated families and overburdened the child welfare system. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of trained personnel to deal with the needs of families affected by opioids and other drugs. Paraprofessionals such as Community Health Workers and Peer Support Specialists, bring a unique perspective and set of skills to the care coordination of families who are affected by opioid use and other substances. However, while these individuals have been used to support the behavioral health workforce, they are still underutilized.

To address the shortage of trained health care professionals that work with families affected by opioids and other drugs, ºÚÁÏÍø established the ºÚÁÏÍø (SU) Eastern Shore Opioid-Impacted Family Support Program (OIFSP). The goal of the SU Eastern Shore OIFSP is to increase the number of Opioid Navigator Community Health Workers who are prepared to work with families who are impacted by opioid use disorders (OUD) and other substance use disorders (SUDs) in high need and high demand areas.

The Eastern Shore Opioid-Impacted Family Support Program developed didactic educational support and experiential field training opportunities for paraprofessional trainees, targeting children, adolescents, and transitional age youth whose parents are impacted by OUD and other SUDs, and their family members who are in guardianship roles.

Key activities of the Eastern Shore Opioid-Impacted Family Support Program include recruiting trainees, providing didactic training, an internship and in-service apprenticeship.