Background
What does a CoP do?
A CoP is a group of people with an interest and passion in a specific topic providing an opportunity to create, organize, revise, and share knowledge among members of the community. It encourages the translation of knowledge into action and provides a framework for information sharing, competence development, rich discussion, and mentoring; and creates, organizes, revises and shares knowledge among members of the community.
What will this SUD CoP do?
This CoP will consist of people who are engaged in the field of SUD treatment and prevention in any capacity including but not limited to individuals with lived experience, providers, family members, researchers, recovery peers and advocates. The group may issue reports and recommendations to the legislative chairs and ranking minorities of committees in both local and regional governments.
The SUD CoP will address the following:
- Identify gaps in substance use disorder treatment services;
- Enhance collective knowledge of issues related to substance use disorder;
- Understand evidence-based practices, best practices, and promising approaches to address substance use disorder;
- Use knowledge gathered through the community of practice to develop strategic plans to improve outcomes for individuals who participate in substance use disorder treatment and related services in Minnesota;
- Increase knowledge about the challenges and opportunities learned by implementing strategies;
- Develop capacity for community advocacy
CoP Member Expectations
The CoP will meet on a regular basis along with smaller working groups. Participants can attend as:
- Full Contributing CoP Members: Participation and input is expected in each full CoP meeting (monthly for the first three months and then quarterly for ~1.5 years) and includes completion of pre- or post-meeting work
- Specialty CoP Contributor: Participation and input is expected in meetings or workgroups focused on an area of interest or expertise and includes completion of associated pre- or post-meeting work
- Public attendee: Participation in meetings as desired with input reserved to the open-meeting discussion portion of the meeting agenda
Full or Specialty CoP members who have accessed SUD treatment services or have lived experience may be eligible for a stipend of up to $55 per meeting to compensate for their meeting time and related expenses. Individuals would not be eligible for a stipend if you are otherwise paid to participate in the CoP (i.e., attending on behalf of your employer).
Legislative Language
The commissioner of human services, in consultation with substance use disorder subject matter experts, shall establish a substance use disorder community of practice. The purposes of the community of practice are to improve treatment outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders and reduce disparities by using evidence-based and best practices through peer-to-peer and person-to-provider sharing. (Minnesota Statutes 2021, Chapter 254B.151)
Planning Meetings and Resources
Planning meetings for the CoP were conducted from May to November 2022 to initiate a dialogue and to seek feedback on specific aspects of this venture. Summaries and presentations from the planning meetings are provided below.
