From: Methadone Maintenance Treatment: A Community Planning Guide (© 2009 CAMH)
The community working group:
- shares information about the community
- stays in touch with the attitudes (and changing attitudes) of the community
- confirms the need for MMT services in their community
- develops or finalizes a needs assessment report
- develops an action plan
- identifies potential barriers and possible solutions
- engages service providers in dialogue and participation
- educates the community about MMT
- oversees the implementation of the plan
- monitors the MMT program’s success and needs.
The main goal of the working group is to prepare an action plan. This plan:
- confirms the need for MMT services in the community
- describes the strategy that will be used to achieve short- and long-term goals
- outlines the treatment delivery model (See How is MMT delivered?)
- details the types of support services to be offered
- outlines how these services will be delivered
- delineates what resources partner agencies can contribute.
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Some working groups are formed before the needs assessment is done. In this case, the first goal is to establish consensus that there is a need for MMT services in the community. If it is agreed that there is a need, then the group moves ahead with the action plan. |
The working group reviews the initiative and the needs assessment report, and identifies any oversights or new developments. Upon establishing consensus, the working group develops an action plan suited to the needs of the community.
Use the action plan to:
- secure funding from your local LHIN or other potential sources
- educate and engage the wider community
- monitor the project’s progress
- celebrate achievements (milestones along the way).
A well-executed action plan founded on consensus among the working group members can lead to the successful establishment or expansion of MMT services.
Sometimes a working group may decide not to create an MMT program in their community. If this happens, the working group can still play an important community role. For example, it can meet to monitor trends in opioid drug use and determine whether MMT services may be needed in the future.
In Methadone Maintenance Treatment: A Community Planning Guide
Acknowledgements
Introduction
About methadone maintenance treatment
Getting ready
Establishing a community working group
Engaging the community
Developing a methadone maintenance treatment program
Implementing the program
Evaluating the program
Appendix: Do You Know... Methadone
References
Resources