The Ohio Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Coordinating Center of Excellence

Abstract

State-wide implementation of “evidence-based practices” such as Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment (IDDT) has been slow to occur. In Ohio, the Department of Mental Health has established an “Ohio Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Coordinating Center of Excellence” (SAMICCOE) to facilitate the implementation and maintenance of high fidelity IDDT programs. This evidence-based treatment has been found to be effective in clinical trials, and is undergoing adaptation to address the needs of other populations. The SAMI CCOE's twelve person staff provides training and dissemination, technical assistance and research to mental health and substance abuse programs implementing this treatment model in Ohio.