CODAC Behavioral Healthcare, Rhode Island's oldest, largest and only nonprofit outpatient opioid treatment program, today announced that it will be presented at two sessions during the 2025 American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, Inc. (ATODE) Conference to be held October 4-8, 2025 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia, PA. The theme of this national and international Conference is “The Evolving Field of Opioid Treatment.” CODAC experts plan to provide an example of a fully integrated community care center and highlight methods to eliminate healthcare disparities and improve the quality of services for all patients.
“In Rhode Island, we have been able to create what senators are calling a first-in-country, one-stop shop for opioid treatment within an integrated community care center,” said Linda Hurley, President/CEO of CODAC. “We plan to present the history of development of CODAC's new integrated healthcare center so that providers and other stakeholders can create a blueprint for themselves nationwide. Each state is different and no one entity can afford to be all things to all people, therefore, collaboration between state entities, private equity and nonprofits is key.” Hurley added, “We will also highlight our work with partners to help close the gaps in treatment that poverty can cause. We are excited to share our models and best practices alongside some of the most cutting-edge topics and presenters in our addiction field.”
CODAC's presentations at AATOD 2025 will be as follows.
Poster Session: Patient Care & Best Practices
P06 – Cultural and Linguistically Appropriate Services and Beyond
Presenting Author: Linda Hurley, CAGS, MA, President/CEO, CODAC
From program/schedule: The National CLAS Standards, developed by the Office of Minority Health, aim to eliminate healthcare disparities and improve the quality of services for all patients. These standards are accessible to everyone, but implementing them within an organization requires a clear strategy. This presentation will break down the steps CODAC Behavioral Healthcare in Rhode Island has taken to implement the CLAS Standards and provide recommendations for upper management.
Workshop D: Patient Care & Best Practices
D4 – Redefining Integrated Care as an Evidence-Based Practice
Primary Presenter: Linda Hurley, CAGS, MA, President/CEO, CODAC
Co-Presenter: Laurie McNiff, BSW, MSW, LICSW, Senior Director of Clinical Services, CODAC
From program/schedule: There have been many studies that show that physical integration of all needed services increased the utilization of referrals. This workshop will provide an example of a fully integrated community care center. Including primary care, psychiatric care, social services addressing all social determinants of care, peer recovery support and wellness activities.
About CODAC Behavioral Healthcare
CODAC Behavioral Healthcare, a non-profit organization founded in 1971, is Rhode Island's oldest and largest provider of outpatient services for opioid use disorder, other substance use disorders, and competing behavioral health challenges. With eight locations across Rhode Island, CODAC has achieved Center of Excellence designations for each of its treatment sites. CODAC has done extensive work with individuals involved in the criminal justice system since 1994 and, in 2016, launched a program with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC) that was the first of its kind in the United States to screen all inmates for opioid use disorder and provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for those in need. Results from CODAC's RIDOC program have been studied and published, and the program has been recognized as “a model for all 50 states” by the Department of Justice, SAMHSA and multiple other national agencies. For more information about CODAC, visit: www.codacinc.org
About AATOD 2025
The 2025 American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, Inc. (AATOD) Conference will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, October 4-8, 2025. The 2025 conference theme is “The Evolving Field of Opioid Treatment.” The intent is to educate and promote acceptance and integration of MAT options by patients, families, clinicians, the medical system, judicial systems, government, policymakers, social service administrations, and the general public. For more information, visit https://aatod2025.eventscribe.net/
Media Contacts:
Alisha Bourdeau, CFO; CODAC
(401) 654-8738
Bill Gordon; PR/Media Relations
646-924-6146
“In Rhode Island, we have been able to create what senators are calling a first-in-country, one-stop shop for opioid treatment within an integrated community care center.”
"We will also highlight our work with partners to help close the gaps in treatment that poverty can cause."
