Communities that have been most effective in addressing issues resulting from ACEs have created methods that connect the efforts of the full range of community services. As a study in Maine illustrated, there is a 50% to 75% overlap among agencies of the people they are serving. But individuals needing help often have difficulty navigating the pathways between services. Agencies, too, can find it difficult to coordinate their services with each other.
Pinetree Institute facilitates collaboration across community sectors to assist them in dealing with complex issues. Generally, the focus is on one specific area or interconnected areas of concern. In addition to the pandemic, one of the most significant issues communities have been facing in recent year has been the opioid crisis and the related issues around substance use disorder.
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Recovery-Ready Community Roadmap
In considering substance use disorder as an example, most effective approaches to addressing these challenges have considered the underlying issues across the full range of contributory solutions from prevention to treatment and re-integration. These approaches are most effective when they adopt a trauma responsive approach that considers the underlying impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on the individuals who are experiencing personal health challenges.
“When people are behaving in apparently self-destructive ways, it’s time to stop asking what’s wrong with them, and time to start asking what happened to them.” - Dr. Robert Anda, CDC lead researcher, ACEs Study
Case Studies of Community Coordination at Work
Portsmouth Community Coordinated Response Initative
Pinetree Institute is facilitating the coordination of services in order to more effectively address the growing issues of the substance use crisis in the Greater Portsmouth Area. A leadership committee comprised of public and private service organizations serving Greater Portsmouth and the Seacoast Area has determined the barriers facing individuals and families impacted by substance use. The committee has identified 5 priority focus areas to address these barriers:
- Prevention Education on Trauma Informed Services
- Employment Services for Job Seekers and Employers
- Access to Services (Transportation / Telecommunication)
- Recovery Housing
- Coordination of Recovery Services
Portsmouth Coordinated Response to Substance Use Disorder reports progress.
Kennebunk Area Community Coordinated Response Initiative
In order to address the challenges to the community presented by substance use disorder and related issues, Pinetree is working with the Greater Kennebunk Community to bring together leaders from all sectors of the community including town government, schools, law enforcement, emergency responders, social services, medical facilities, addictions counseling, youth programs, businesses and other community agencies to look at potential areas for collaboration and coordination of services.
Click here if you would like to discuss how Pinetree can help facilitate a coordinated response initiative for your community.