The Division of Mental Health & Addiction Services (DMHAS) launched Co-Occurring Disorder Learning Community (COD-LC) initiative, a partnership with Rutgers University Behavioral Health to provide technical assistance (TA) to increase community organizations capacity to address the complex need of individuals with co-occurring disorder.
Designed to improve recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (COD) through a uniform screening and assessment protocol, intensive training, and cross-training of staff in best practices, it aims to improve collaboration and information sharing.
The COD-LC utilizes the Dual Diagnosis Capability in Addiction Treatment (DDCAT) Index is used to assess addiction treatment agencies on their capacity to deliver services to people with co-occurring disorders. The Dual Diagnosis Capability in Mental Health Treatment (DDCMHT) is an adaptation of the DDCAT for application in mental health settings.
The DDCAT and DDCMHT provide a program-level assessment. Information is gathered during a site visit and drawn from assessor observations, interviews, and review of materials. These data are then used to complete ratings on 35 benchmarks regarding policy, clinical practice, and workforce domains.
The DDCAT and DDCMHT establish benchmarks for providing evidence-based treatment services to individuals with co-occurring disorders. The DDCAT and DDCMHT assess seven areas:
- 1. Program Structure
- 2. Program Milieu
- 3. Clinical Practice: Assessment
- 4. Clinical Practice: Treatment
- 5. Continuity of Care
- 6. Staffing
- 7. Training
Each of these program areas or dimensions receives a score. Based on the program's overall score, the program or agency is categorized as:
- 1. Addiction Only Services (AOS)
- 2. Mental Health Only Services (MHOS)
- 3. Dual Diagnosis Capable (DDC)
- 4. Dual Diagnosis Enhanced (DDE)
Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment (IDDT)/ Integrated Treatment for Co-occurring Disorders (ITCOD) Initiative:
The DMHAS launched Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment (IDDT)/ Integrated Treatment for Co-occurring Disorders (ITCOD) an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) initiative in 2003. The initial purpose of the initiative was to improve the practices used by community mental health providers to assist individuals with co-occurring disorder with recovery and also implementation site readiness.
In collaboration with Rutgers University Behavioral Health, DMHAS provides IDDT/ITCOD Technical Assistance and/or Consultation including support for Steering Committees, IDDT Case Reviews, and other implementation issues. The IDDT/ITCOD Initiative provide training and consultation in order to maximize existing resources and to impact a larger number of community agencies. This would include regional trainings, collective consultation which may also utilize phone and web based supports.
