The Mission of NOPIC

The mission of the New Orleans Practice Improvement Collaborative, formerly known as the Practice Research Collaborative (PRC) is to increase communication, collaboration, and understanding among researchers, practitioners, policy makers, consumers of substance-abuse treatment and other community stakeholders to facilitate the development and implementation of improved substance abuse treatment methodologies.

Governance

The parent organization of NOPIC is the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (CADA). The PIC operates under the direction of the CADA Governing Board and Executive Director. The primary operations arm of the PIC is the Steering Committee, which includes 15 public sector, university, provider and consumer representatives. Steering committee members oversee the development and implementation of the practice improvement agenda and the activities of four subcommittees, including Ethics, Fund Development, Community Voice and Public/Media Relations. A Project Research Implementation Team is responsible for day to day management of the PIC activities.

NOPIC Project Implementation Team Members

Dr. Richard Ager	Professor, Tulane School of Social Work		Principal Investigator
Dr. Patty Kissinger	Professor, Tulane School of Public Health, Epidemiology Dept.		Program Evaluator
Dr. Pat Morse	Professor, LSUHSC Psychiatry Dept.		Pilot Study Consultant
Dr. Ed. Morse	Professor, LSUHSC Psychiatry Dept.		Lead Consultant
Dr. Paul Toriello	Professor, LSUHSC Rehabilitation Counseling		Motivational Enhancement Therapy Consultant
Ms. Angie Wood	Doctorial Student, Tulane Shcool of Social Work		Research Assistant
Ms. Ieka Hagens	CADA		Administrative Assistant
Ms. Stephanie Roahen-Harrison	CADA and Doctorial Student, Tulane		Program Manager
Linton Carney	AIDSLaw		Cultural Compentency Consultant
Steering Committee
The steering committee is comprised of researchers, providers, policy-makers, advocacy specialists, and consumers, who share a common interest in improving existing substance abuse treatment services. Steering committee members are chosen based upon the professional and cultural diversity they could bring to the organization and their expressed willingness to be of service to the community.
Steering Committee Members
Mr. Sam Ashley		Office Manager and Outreach Coordinator AIDSLaw of Louisiana
Ms. Paula Eagan		Director, JPHSA- Adult Services
Mr. Michael Frederick		Clinical Director, Odyssey House
Mr. Buzzy Gaiennie		Executive Director, Bridge House
Ms. Eleanor Glapion		Director, NOCAD
Mr. Wyatt Hines		Director of Advocacy Covenant House
Ms. Stacy Horn-Koch		Director, Covenant House
Mr. Larry Hurst		Director, Positive Outreach
Mr. John King		Executive Director, CADA
Ms. Else Pederson		Clinical Supervisor, Bridge House
Ms. Theata Perkins-Blakes		Director, Infinity Network
Mr. Terence Pierce		Program Director, Grace House
Ms. Joyce Reaves		Director, OPCSO-About Face
Ms. Rena Smith		Professor, SUNO
Ms. Helen Wilson		Valet

Role of the NOPIC Steering Committee

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

During the developmental stages, individuals representing the major stakeholder organizations met on the third Tuesday of each month to exchange information and ideas, and to provide direction to the PIC regarding decisions about policies, research agenda, and the content areas for current and future knowledge exchange.

FUND DEVELOPEMENT

• To assist in securing funding for PIC related activities.To read and approve the implementation Phase Proposal before submission.
• To review future applications before submission.
• To apprise the Steering Committee of funding opportunities and upcoming grants that may support PIC activities.

• To serve as spokesperson for local treatment professionals and the recovering community.To identify gaps in local treatment knowledge base.
• To identify emerging research and treatment needs.
• To assist in developing a research agenda that reflects the community needs.
• To represent the recovering community at committee meetings.

ETHICS

• To ensure the protection of all human subjects in all PIC research activities.To review all proposed research projects with an eye toward subject protection.
• To review and approve the PIC "Informed Consent" forms.
• To remain current on CSAT's ethical standards.
• To attend CSAT-sponsored ethics workshops.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

• To promote PIC to the larger community. To compose and publish press releases to local media.
• To remain alert to local or national stories that may serve as "tie-ins" to the PIC.
• To develop new contacts in the media and utilize existing contacts.
• To remain open to larger community attitudes or needs regarding substance abuse issues.