Massachusetts Municipal Opioid Abatement Conference

March 19-20, 2024

Intended for municipalities receiving opioid abatement funding

This inaugural conference held in March of 2024 aimed to connect municipalities to the resources and tools needed to uphold the requirements of the State Subdivision Agreement. Panelists included government officials, community leaders, and people from across the Commonwealth with expertise in opioid prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery.

Questions and Answers from the Massachusetts Municipal Opioid Abatement Conference 2024

Massachusetts Municipal Opioid Abatement Virtual Conference Agenda

Day One – Tue. March 19th

Session Topics & Speakers
Opening Remarks Background on settlements and their significance in addressing the overdose crisis | Secretary Kate Walsh (EOHHS)
Understanding the opioid abatement settlement funds initiative Moderator: Sarah Ruiz
  • Overview & Update on Status of Settlement Payments | Sandra Wolitzky (AGO)
  • Overview of State Subdivision Agreement | Deirdre Calvert (DPH, BSAS)
  • Overview of recent legislation which modifies the allowed accounting for Opioid Settlement Funds | Deborah Wagner (DLS)
  • Overview of state laws governing municipal procurement | Maya French (OIG)

Slides | Day 1 Welcome, Keynote, and Session 1 Recording (Passcode: !y7T&LZb)

Promoting collaboration within and across municipalities Moderator: Sam Wong
  • Shared Services Agreements | Cheryl Sbarra (MAHB) & Kristin Black (OLRH)
  • Municipal Spotlight | Kelli Calo & Vivian Zeng (Sudbury Health Dept)

Slides |
Day 1 Session 2 Recording (Passcode: !y7T&LZb)

Day Two – Wed. March 20th

Session Topics & Speakers
Keynote The role of government in engaging people with lived experience in decision making | Commissioner Robbie Goldstein (DPH)
Facilitating inclusive and meaningful community engagement with priority populations Moderator: Julia Newhall
  • How to Engage People in Recovery | Maryanne Frangules (MOAR)
  • How to Engage People Who Use Drugs | Mary Wheeler (NOMAD)
  • How to Engage Families Who’ve Lost Loved Ones | Robyn Houston-Bean (The Sun Will Rise Foundation) & Franklin Cook (SADOD)
  • Municipal Spotlights | Jen Tracey (City of Boston) & Suzie Hauptmann (Town of Falmouth)

Slides |
Day 2 Welcome, Keynote, and Session 1 Recording (Passcode: @3A9y=W9)

Supporting community needs assessment and strategic planning Moderator: Scott Formica
  • Lessons Learned from HEALing Communities Approach to Community Needs Assessment and Planning | Carly Bridden (BMC)
  • Using Data to Inform Strategic Planning | Hermik Babakhanlou-Chase (BSAS)
  • Care MA’s role in supporting municipal opioid abatement | Jo Morrissey (JSI)

Slides |
Day 2 Session 2 Recording (Passcode: @3A9y=W9)

Sharing information about evidence-informed interventions Moderator: Nicole Schmitt
  • Prevention Program Spotlight | Jose Morales (BSAS)
  • Harm Reduction Program Spotlight | Brittni Reilly (BSAS) & Emily Levine (BIDLS)
  • Connections to Care Spotlight | Madeline Higgins & Dallas Clark (MA Substance Use Helpline at HRiA)
  • Recovery Program Spotlight | Danielle O’Brien (BSAS)

Slides |
Day 2 Session 3 Recording (Passcode: @3A9y=W9)

Recap and Closing Remarks
  • Wrap-up and thank you | Dr. Kiame Mahaniah (EOHHS)
Hosted by the Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) and Care Massachusetts: Opioid Abatement Partnership, the BSAS-sponsored training and technical service provider for opioid abatement.