Subcommittees


Public Education

Co-Chair: Lyn O'Connell

Purpose – To coordinate actions between those working in prevention and education across the state concerning such tasks as developing a statewide anti-stigma campaign, creating an online repository for stigma and educational trainings, and creating a statewide curriculum for stigma trainers. Develop the portion of the strategic plan related to public education and stigma as well as assisting with the implementation of council recommendations in local communities. 

Community Engagement and Supports (Housing, Transportation, Employment, etc.)

Chair: Kim Tieman, Benedum Foundation
Co-Chair: Bev Sharp

Purpose – To develop action plans pertinent to local community involvement that defines SUD success. Include SBA, local mentors, schools, youth groups, associations, National Guard affiliates, faith-based organizations, business, industry and labor organizations. Advise regarding anti-stigma campaigns. Provide recommendations on best practices to help communities and local groups organize and combat SUD in their communities. Develop the portion of the strategic plan related to community engagement, housing, employment and related matters, advise regarding implementation and serve as subject matter experts in aiding local implementation and adoption of recommendations. 


Court Systems and Justice Involved Population (Including Re-entry)

Co-Chair: Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Co-Chair: Stephanne Thornton, Pubilc Defender Corporation and Resource Center

Purpose – To develop  action plans that define SUD success. Make recommendations and innovations assisting misdemeanor (and certain non-violent felony) offenders along a pathway to recovery (Jobs& Hope WV). Implement best practices and policy changes that streamline legislation and positively impact SUD. Develop the portion of the strategic plan related to the court system and reentry activities, advise regarding implementation and serve as subject matter experts in aiding local implementation and adoption of recommendations. 


Health Systems

Chair: Dr. Michael E. Kilkenny, Cabell/Huntington Health Department
Co-Chair: Emma Eggleston

Purpose – To develop actions among hospitals, EMTs and health departments and outpatient health care providers to define SUD success. Provide “downstream” analysis and recommend policy change as related to the innerworkings and networks of health care providers. Develop the portion of the strategic plan related to health systems and providers, advise regarding implementation and serve as subject matter experts in aiding local implementation and adoption of recommendations. 


Implementation

Chair: Dr. Matthew Q. Christiansen, Office of Drug Control Policy

Purpose – To publish a comprehensive Strategic Plan incorporating broad spectrum constituents and agencies. Compile, track and maintain quantifiable data measuring disposition of STRATPLAN benchmarks. Provide the interface between community partners and state agencies as necessary and appropriate. Make recommendations and facilitate implementation of Council recommendations. 


Law Enforcement

Co-Chair: Sheriff KC Bohrer, Morgan County Sheriff's Department
Co-Chair: Chad Napier, AHIDTA

Purpose – To develop S.M.A.R.T. actions to define SUD success. Promote relevant programs including but not limited to Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) and Quick Response Team (QRT) programs. Work with sister subcommittees to align initiatives. Provide input to improve state policy. Advise Council of emerging Techniques, Tactics and Procedures (TTP’s) that may impact strategic initiatives. Develop the portion of the strategic plan related to law enforcement activities, advise regarding implementation and serve as subject matter experts in aiding local implementation and adoption of recommendations.


Prevention

Co-Chair: Amy Saunders, Marhsall University
Co-Chair: Melanie Purkey, WV Department of Education

Purpose – To develop S.M.A.R.T. action plans pertinent to the prevention of SUD. Recommend methods and materials to educate communities, schools and organizations about alcohol, tobacco and SUD. Provide advice regarding media and social media prevention campaign. Develop the portion of the strategic plan related to prevention activities, advise regarding implementation and serve as subject matter experts in aiding local implementation and adoption of recommendations. 


Recovery Community 

Chair: Jon Dower

The WV Office of Drug Control Policy and the Governor’s Council on Substance Use and Prevention understands that people in recovery from substance use disorders play a critical role in addressing the epidemic of substance use and misuse in West Virginia. Therefore, The Council has convened a subcommittee comprised of people in recovery from a substance use disorder to provide meaningful input and represent the recovery community at-large. The Recovery Subcommittee is inclusive, diverse, and representative of the larger recovery community across the state. Each of the seven regions designated by legislation for the Ryan Brown Fund are represented with at least one person serving their respective region.


Treatment, Recovery and Research

Chair: Dr. James B. Becker, Marshall University 

Purpose – To develop action plans among recovery and treatment facilities that define SUD success. Provide empirical data that helps to outline the trends and problems of SUD in the state. Advise Council and government officials on recommended policy changes. Promote Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and other evidenced based activities, drug free families and address Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Develop the portion of the strategic plan related to recovery, treatment and research activities, advise regarding implementation and serve as subject matter experts in aiding local implementation and adoption of recommendations. Offer advice and assistance and direct relevant research activities concerning SUD.


Steering Committee

Chair: Brian Gallagher, Marhsall University

Purpose – To provide vision, oversight, guidance and direction to various subcommittees and external organizations critical to the development of the WV Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Strategic Plan. Conduct meetings, create agendas, and approve timelines to synchronize effort among Council members. Approve criteria of S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time bound) actions.