Memorandum of Understanding for ORCCA

Individual Membership

I. Statement of Importance:

Central Appalachia is the epicenter of the opioid epidemic. Appalachia accounts for almost 25% of the nation’s opiate related deaths, despite representing only 20% of the population. Connected to the crisis are growing public health concerns, including increased rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome, Hepatitis C and HIV outbreaks, mental health issues, malnourishment, and suicide. There are also correlated upticks in crimes such as domestic violence, theft, sex trafficking, and prostitution, to name a few. Children and families are particularly vulnerable and foster care systems cannot meet placement needs. Economically, not only have many communities seen workforce collapses, demands for treatment, prevention, and other services exceed the supply of professionals, leaving critical gaps in services, treatment waiting lists, and mounting healthcare costs. Highly collaborative and systematically woven research partnerships throughout central Appalachia are an essential, but not yet met, part of the solution to develop, evaluate, and disseminate evidence‐based prevention, treatment, and systems tailored to the region. ORCCA intends to address this gap through (a) research that involves the robust engagement of patients, families, communities, clinicians, and researchers across Appalachia and (b) mechanisms to share findings, data, tools, and protocols, our response will likely remain inadequate.

II. Founding Organizational Members:

ORCCA has eight Founding Institutional Members representing universities and healthcare systems serving Central Appalachia. The Founding Members have one individual appointed as the primary point of contact for ORCCA through appointment to its Leadership Advisory Board. As of this MOU, the

Founding Institutional Members are:

• East Tennessee State University
• Marshall University
• University of Kentucky
• University of Tennessee
• Virginia Tech/VT-Carilion
• West Virginia University
• Ballad Health
• Carilion Clinic

III. Statement of Vision:

ORCCA serves as a university‐based, community‐engaged, multi‐state research entity that:

a. Embodies a rich team‐science culture comprised of researchers, clinicians, students, the private sector, including major healthcare systems, local/state health organizations, and community members/patients;

b. Provides and coordinate shared infrastructure to conduct novel, rapid research;

c. Prioritizes the translation of research into‐competent policy, prevention, treatment, and workforce education and training;

d. Collectively advocates to, and collaborates with, local, state and federal organizations and authorities to advance the ORCCA mission; and ORCCA MOU, version date: 9/22/20.

e. Functions as a leader, convener, and communicator of opioid research activities, outcomes, and successes across central Appalachia, and interface nationally to contribute solutions to the broader crisis.

IV. Objective of MOU:

This MOU serves to foster commitment, collaboration, and synergy among scientists, clinicians, practitioners, community members, and learners of all types to achieve the highest possible impact on the opioid and addiction crisis in Central Appalachia through research. Anyone (age 18 or older) is eligible for membership. Individuals do not have to be affiliated with an institutional member.

V. Terms of Agreement:

Upon signing this Memorandum of Understanding, I agree to:

  • Have an active voice in the ORCCA strategic planning and implementation through participating in scheduled team meetings or annual retreats, engaging in list‐serv discussions, and other interactive opportunities presented through the consortium.

  • Be available in an advisory capacity to individual members and the leadership in areas of my expertise.

  • Initiate or volunteer to lead special topic work groups when opportunities present.

  • Provide leadership of and participate in writing manuscripts, presentations, and other documents that involve multiple ORCCA members.

  • Seize opportunities to provide leadership with local communities, state agencies, and federal entities to advance community‐driven substance use and misuse policy and practice changes in across Appalachia and nationally.

  • Communicate or distribute opportunities to the members (e.g., funding resources, conferences, publication opportunities, etc.) and promote ORCCA as opportunities arise within my organization, community, or beyond.

  • Be a ‘connector’ of people, places, and resources for other members.

  • Engage ORCCA members in the development and conduct research when possible or appropriate.

  • Assist ORCCA leadership and other partners in fostering partnerships with medical (clinical), public health, and community partners in Central Appalachia. Serve as an advocate of community engagement.

  • Take part in ORCCA’s initiatives to train the next generation of opioid and substance use disorder researchers that may involve team teaching, engaging learners in applied research experiences in the communities of interest, or mentoring.

  • Complete ORCCA’s micro‐learning videos (total <10 minutes) on community‐engaged research to reduce SUD/OUD in Appalachia.

VI. Benefits of Membership:

Membership in ORCCA is an immediate function of this Memorandum of Understanding. As a member, I understand that I will…

  • Interact with and be a part of a team of nationally and internationally recognized SUD/OUD scientists, clinicians, and community leaders.

  • Have access to the insights and feedback from multi‐sector community advisory boards within Central Appalachia (e.g., the Roanoke Valley Collective Response).

  • Have opportunities to train, mentor, and engage students from multiple institutions in research.

  • Have access to resources (e.g., thematic research networks, list servs, interactive website, and more) that enhance productivity and keep me connected with researchers and community members with common interests in Central Appalachia.

  • Have the opportunity to include an affiliation with ORCCA, an officially chartered entity, which could be advantageous in grant proposals and other professional pursuits.

  • Have access to facilities and resources across member organizations that may not otherwise be available or easily accessible in my organization (e.g., software, data platforms, clinical trial units, recruitment materials, etc.). In some cases, laboratory or other types of facilities or equipment may be available without charge.

  • Have opportunities for receiving mentoring and/or other professional reviews or feedback on a range of products (e.g., on grant proposals, manuscripts, or for promotion and/or tenure materials).

  • Have opportunity to compete for special sources of funding which may not be otherwise available to the general public.

VII. Eligibility Criteria:

Eligibility criteria for ORCCA and any affiliated network include persons who are:

  • Interested or experienced in opioid or substance use disorder (SUD) and addictions research.

  • 18 years of age or older.

  • Eligible to serve as a lead investigator or collaborator on a research study, according to their respective institution’s standards or the funding agency’s requirements.

  • Must NOT have a conflict of interest related to working in the for-profit sector or currently receive external funding from such (example: pharmaceutical companies). If you are uncertain about this, please contact us for discussion.

VIII. Additional Benefits for STARS Network Members:

Additional benefits of STARS network membership include:

  • Access to an online inventory of individuals and resources for peer recovery support research.

  • Access to a formal registry of peer recovery support professionals.

  • Collaboration with clinics providing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)

  • Online training and certificate programs.

  • Access to an open-access data consultation hub. 

IX. Duration of the MOU:

This Memorandum of Understanding shall continue indefinitely from the date of its execution, unless the individual member submits to the ORCCA directors in writing the intent to end membership. This MOU shall also lapse if both parties indicate an intention to no longer abide by it.

To complete the MOU process:

Please submit a copy of your current CV/Resume or brief personal summary to Angela Hagaman via the button below.
Your materials will be reviewed by ORCCA leadership within 2 weeks.
Upon approval for membership, you will receive an email from the ORCCA leadership.

Membership is active at the date of receipt of email confirming membership.