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Project SCOPE: a National Training Initiative to improve capacity of providers to support children impacted by
Stephanie Weber1,2, Canyon Hardesty3, Andrea Witwer4,5
1Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
Insights
Project SCOPE effectively trained healthcare providers on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and the opioid crisis. The initiative significantly improved provider knowledge, skills, and motivation to support affected families.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Healthcare Training
Background:
- Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a growing concern due to prenatal substance exposure, impacting child development.
- Interdisciplinary teams are crucial for supporting families with NAS, but often lack adequate training and resources.
- Existing healthcare systems require enhanced capacity to address the opioid epidemic's impact on infants and families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and impact of Project SCOPE, a National Training Initiative.
- To improve healthcare provider capacity in addressing the needs of children with NAS and their families.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the ECHO model and SCOPE curriculum in a national training context.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen sites implemented the ECHO model and SCOPE curriculum between 2019-2022.
- Training was delivered to 9,392 individuals across 33 US states.
- Data collected via administrative records, pre/post surveys, and post-session evaluations.
Main Results:
- High participant satisfaction (96.4%) with Project SCOPE sessions.
- Statistically significant increases in self-reported knowledge, skills, and motivation to work with NAS-affected populations.
- Over 97% reported increased motivation, and nearly 70% were highly likely to apply new skills.
Conclusions:
- Project SCOPE is a highly effective model for enhancing healthcare system capacity to support children affected by the opioid epidemic.
- The model demonstrates rapid deployability and broad geographic reach, particularly benefiting underserved rural areas.
- This initiative offers a scalable solution to improve care for infants and families impacted by Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
Introduction:
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a complex condition resulting from prenatal substance exposure that has become increasingly prevalent as a result of the opioid epidemic. NAS can lead to long-term developmental challenges. Interdisciplinary teams with experience working with children with disabilities that focus on social determinants of health can be effective at supporting families affected by NAS. Unfortunately, interdisciplinary teams often lack sufficient training, ongoing practice support, and public health policies to support these families. The objective of this project was to determine the feasibility and impact of a National Training Initiative, called Project SCOPE, to improve the capacity of providers to address the needs of children with NAS and their families.
Methods:
Fourteen (14) sites were trained to fidelity in the ECHO model and SCOPE curriculum, and then each team implemented this model for at least one, eight to 12 session series between 2019-2022. The reach, impact, satisfaction, and intention to implement the model were assessed from administrative records, pre/post surveys, and post-session evaluations.
Results:
SCOPE state teams delivered the curriculum to 9,392 individuals across 33 US states. Surveys from 2,197 individuals were used for analysis. Most participants (84%) had previous training in trauma informed care, but only 53% had any training on the NAS or the opioid crisis' impact on children. Satisfaction with SCOPE sessions was high (96.4%), and there was a statistically significant increase of self-reported knowledge change from pre- to post-SCOPE. Over 94% reported their skills increased because of participation. Over 97% of participants indicated their motivation to work with this population increased from SCOPE participation and that they could successfully apply what they learned. Almost 70% reported they were "very" or "extremely" likely to use their new skills.
Discussion:
Project SCOPE is a highly effective and impactful model that can radically improve capacity to support children affected by the opioid epidemic, thereby increasing the capacity of our healthcare system to respond to this epidemic. Moreover, this model can be rapidly deployed and reach a wide geographic region, especially areas that are affected by the opioid crisis and underserved rural communities.
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