Frequent Asked Questions

Currently, PA’s, DO’s, and MD’s practicing at a community-based, FQHC primary care site are eligible to participate in the NNE-CCP Grant. Due to HRSA requirements, PharmD’s, RNs, and NPs are not eligible at this time. Arrangements for provider teams that include a PA, MD, or DO with another healthcare provider, are a possibility on a case-by-case basis. Please visit our Prospective Champions page for more information.

The clinical site will receive 4 quarterly stipends of $6,250 (totaling $25,000) per year. These funds are to be used by the site to offset the provider’s time spent on NNE-CCP grant activities.

We ask providers to commit to approximately 8 hours per month. This includes attendance at a monthly virtual meeting, mentor meetings, and working on your healthcare transformation project.

While this may look different for every participant, a rough timeline may look like the following:

The goal of the healthcare transformation projects (HTP) is to develop an opioid or substance use-focused intervention that  meets the needs of the community and/or your primary care practice. 

• Projects should add value and be helpful to your organization
• With the support of your mentor and UNE programmatic staff, develop an evaluation plan to determine the impact of the project on improving health among communities served by your site.
  • i.e. Uniform Data Systems (UDS) quality outcomes for Health Centers and CMS Clinical Quality Measures for EHR Incentive Programs , and other health centered data collection methods.
• Utilize existing resources whenever possible to assist with planning
• Identify allies at your clinical site and community members to assist and support your HTP.
• The Virtual Learning Collaboratives (VLCs), UNE staff, ongoing mentor meetings, fellow providers, and in-person meetings will be resources and ongoing support for your HTP.

Projects will vary among the diverse clinical sites in each cohort. Below are a few project examples from Cohort #1:

1.) “Increasing Access to MAT for Opioid Dependence through Standardization of Regional Primary Care Practice”

• Objectives:
  • Develop shared patient intake and treatment protocols for MAT in the primary care setting in two Counties of Vermont
  • Increase patient access to MAT from sources outside of treatment hub referrals
  • Increase the number of regional primary care practices prescribing MAT for opioid use disorder

2.) Expanded Screening for Substance Use Disorder among Adolescent and Adult Patients in a Rural Federally Qualified Health Center”

• Objectives:
  • Begin screening all adolescents at their annual well child visit using the CRAFFT screening tool for patients aged 12 – 17 years of age.
  • Begin screening of adult patients age 18 – 50 using the DAST-10 screening tool every 5 years, ideally at their annual physical.
  • Long term goal to screen >90% of patients 12-50 years of age in our patient panel (3261 of 3623 patients)

3.) “Opioid deprescribing in Light of the Opioid Crisis”

• Objectives:
  • Decrease prescribing of opioids by primary care providers for chronic, non-cancer pain
  • Support providers with education and resources around tapering opioids and safer prescribing practices
  • Educate patients around indications for chronic opioids, risks, and alternative pain management methods

More information  on becoming a Champion can be found under the Prospective Champions page.

We are not currently accepting new applicants for the NNE-CCP grant, but the application process for the 3rd cohort will open in March 2022. 

For application questions and additional information, please contact the NNE-CCP Grant Manager, Melanie Caldwell.