Projects
Current Projects
Lena M. Lundgren, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
“Factors Associated With Adopting Evidence-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Practices in Community Organizations Funded through Federal Program Efforts: A National Study”
2008-2011
Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Co-Investigator: Maryann Amodeo, Ph.D.
Amount for research: $400,000
The Boston University Center for Addictions Research and Services will conduct a national study of 500 community-based organizations (CBOs) funded (2003-2007) by Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), examining factors that facilitated and/or impeded the implementation of their proposed evidence-based treatments (EBTs). CSAT is the major federal funder of substance abuse treatment in the U.S. Recent CSAT funding requirements mandate that CBOs applying for treatment services grants implement EBT approaches. Yet there is often a disconnect between the real world of CBO treatment and the EBTs promoted by the federal government.
Methods: Quantitative and qualitative research methods will be used to explore the relationship between organizational and staff factors and the capacity to implement proposed EBTs. The data collection phase will include two steps: (1) phone interviews with the director (n=500) and two front-line staff (n=1000) of the grantee organizations, and (2) a web-based survey with the same individuals. The study will use Lehman, Greener, & Simpson’s (2002) measurements of organizational readiness of change (TCU ORC-S, TCU ORC-D) as well as control for other confounding organizational and program staff factors not included in the TCU scores.
Aim: The overall aim of the study is to identify results that will be used to improve federal and state substance abuse policies promoting the use of EBTs among CBO treatment providers. Given the extensive attention and funding that the federal government is directing to the development and implementation of EBTs, data is needed on the extent to which funded programs with the mandate to implement such practices are actually doing so, and the factors influencing implementation. Specific policy recommendations will be developed in the areas of (2) organizational readiness for change and EBT implementation efficacy, (2) training utilization and needs and EBT implementation efficacy; and (3) staff attributes and EBT implementation efficacy.
“LaVoz Homeless Treatment Project: Focusing on HIV/AIDS, Housing and Substance Abuse Treatment for Homeless Latino Substance Abusers.”
2008-2013
Funded by SAMHSA/CSAT
Co-Investigator: Luz Lopez, Ph.D.
Amount for research: $400,000
The Boston University Center for Addictions Research and Services (CARS) has been awarded a 5 year grant to conduct an outcome study funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). This study will assess the effectiveness of LaVoz Homeless Treatment Project, a substance abuse treatment and HIV prevention program created by Tapestry Health in Springfield Massachusetts, one of the Center’s long time collaborators. The objectives of the intervention are, for 500 homeless drug users, to: (1) reduce rates of homelessness by provide increased access to temporary and permanent housing. (2)increase utilization of substance abuse treatment, (3) increase utilization of mental health screening and mental health counseling, and (4) increase use of HIV rapid testing, HIV counseling, STI screening, viral hepatitis screening, and vaccinations for hepatitis A and B. The CARS outcome study will utilize a quasi-experimental research design to explore whether program participation was significantly associated with a change in the program populations: 1) housing status, 2) use of substance abuse treatment services, 3) use of mental health services and, 4) use of medical services including HIV/AIDS and STD testing.
“Outcome Evaluation of Tu Bienestar – HIV Prevention and Mental Health Services to Latino Substance Users”
2008-2013
Funded by SAMHSA/CSAT
Co-Investigator: Maryann Amodeo, Ph.D.
Amount for research: $435,000
The Boston University Center for Addictions Research and Services (CARS) has been awarded a 5 year grant for an outcome study funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). The outcome study will assess the effectiveness of Tu Bienestar (your wellness), an HIV prevention and drug relapse prevention program by one of the Center’s long time collaborators, Casa Esperanza. The intervention will be provided to 575 Latina/o substance abusers and their families. The CARS outcome study will, through a quasi-experimental research design examine whether program participation increased: 1) testing rates for HIV, STIs Hepatitis A, B, and C amongst hard-to-reach, isolated, at-risk substance using Latinos and their family 2) entry into medical, mental health, and substance abuse treatment services, and 3) mental well-being of those with co-occurring disorders. It will also examine whether program participation reduced HIV risk-behaviors for the target population.
“La Voz: HIV Mobile Prevention and Clinical Care for Latino Injection Drug Users”
2006-2011
Funded by SAMHSA/CSAT
Co-Investigator: Maryann Amodeo, Ph.D.
Amount for research: $500,000
This new intervention will provide mobile HIV outreach, education, testing and mental health counseling services in the Western Massachusetts ’ region provided by one of the Center’s long time collaborators, Tapestry Health. The Western Massachusetts geographic area has one of the highest HIV incidence rates related to injection drug use in the nation and the Latino population is disproportionately affected by the epidemic. Through this new effort, La Voz will acquire and adapt a van to serve as a mobile program facility. Outreach workers, trained in motivational interviewing techniques, will provide HIV risk avoidance education and supplies, as well as referrals to van medical and mental health staff and to substance abuse treatment services. A trained nurse on the van will conduct HIV testing, and STI and Hepatitis testing. A full time mental health counselor will also be on the van to provide mental health screening, counseling and referrals to psychiatric care. The Center for Addictions Research and Services team will over a five year time period both conduct a comprehensive outcome evaluation of this effort and train La Voz mobile van workers on using evidence based-services.
“Outcome Study: The Relapse Prevention Initiative: Trauma Counseling Services To Drug Users”
2004-2009
Funded by Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Funds for this project include: (1) Award to Casa Esperanza of Boston, Massachusetts, to provide enhanced residential drug treatment services including trauma counseling services to recovering substance abusers and, (2) Award to Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) to conduct a five year study examining the effectiveness of the Casa Esperanza effort. The purpose of the study is to measure the effectiveness of adding Trauma Recovery Group Treatment and comprehensive Aftercare Services to existing Casa Esperanza residential drug treatment services. The study will identify whether the intervention resulted in: (1) reduced client drug and alcohol relapse rates (as measured through a drug and alcohol use scale from the CSAT GPRA Client Outcome Measures for Discretionary Programs; (2) increased number of clients domiciled; (3) improved psychological and emotional well-being (ASI mental health score and the Dissociative Experiences Scale score will be used); and (4) increased family stability.
“La Voz: A Needs Assessment and Prevention Project for HIV and Substance Abuse Prevention for Latinos”
2008-2013
Funded by SAMHSA/CSAP
Principal Investigator: Luz Lopez, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator: Lena Lundgren, Ph.D.
Amount for research: $383,000
The Boston University Center for Addictions Research and Services (CARS) has been awarded a 5 year grant funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) to develop an HIV and substance abuse prevention project for Latino adults. CARS will work with Tapestry Health, a multi-service health and human service organization in Springfield Massachusetts and long time community-based collaborator, to conduct a community needs assessment to enhance the capacity of local planning and service infrastructures to address the substance abuse, HIV, and hepatitis prevention needs of Latinos. Results of the community needs assessment will be shared with stakeholders to generate the development of a comprehensive strategic plan. Proposed services will be adjusted in accordance with the findings from the needs assessment. To ensure that La Voz meets its goals and objectives, and is able to use process and outcome monitoring data to conduct ongoing program development, CARS will conduct ongoing participatory program evaluation to oversee data related effort.
Ruth Paris, Ph.D., LICSW
“Evaluation of Project BRIGHT (Building Resiliance through Intervention: Growing Healthlier Together)”
2009-2012
Funded by SAMHSA
Principal Investigator: Ruth Paris, PhD.
Amount for research: $240,000
Boston University School of Social Work Assistant Professor Ruth Paris in conjunction with the Center for Addictions Research and Services will lead an evaluation study of Project BRIGHT. Funded by SAMHSA, Project BRIGHT is designed to address traumatic stress in children ages birth to five and their parents in recovery from Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Co-Occurring Disorders (COD), at eight Family Residential Treatment (FRT) programs across Massachusetts. The Institute for Health and Recovery (primary grantee) will collaborate with BUSSW, Jewish Family and Children’s Services Center for Early Relationship Support and Boston Medical Center’s Child Witness to Violence Project. Dr. Paris and the Center for Addictions Research and Services will evaluate program activities, interventions, methods, and implementation to assess effectiveness.
The FRT programs provide intensive SUD treatment to families who seek recovery from the devestating effects of substance abuse, mental illness, and trauma, rebuilding shattered lives while raising young children. Appropriate interventions for such young children require support of the parent-child relationship in order to be effective and sustained, and BRIGHT will therefore offer Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), developed specifically to address the impact of traumatic experiences on young children and their parents. This specialized intervention offers therapeutic support to children and their parents in building new understandings and behaviors that promote developmental progress, resilience, and emotional stability. It will be adapted to address the specific needs of families in treatment for substance abuse.
During the 3-year project, trained clinicians will provide CPP to families on site at the FRT programs, simultaneously training FRT staff in the practices and strategies critical for addressing children’s trauma histories with the goal of supporting parent-child relationships.
The intervention objectives to be measured include: child’s decreased trauma response symptoms; child’s increased capacity for emotional regulation; child’s developmental progress; parent’s decreased mental health symptoms; parent’s increased awareness of trauma impact on child; and parent’s increased capacity to provide safety and protection for child (including understanding child’s intentions and communications). Local evaluation data will be entered into the Core Data Set in order to participate in the National Cross-site Evaluation conducted by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. By pooling data from many sites across the country researchers and clinicians will learn more about the impact of trauma on children and contribute to the development of effective evidence-based practice models.