IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center partners with organizations across Indiana to support evidence-based programs that encourage tobacco-free communities. Some of our recent activities include:
The grant-funded Rethink Tobacco Indiana (RTI) initiative provides training and technical assistance for behavioral health organizations.
Together with program co-leaders at the Purdue College of Pharmacy, we work with organizations including community mental health centers, addiction treatment facilities, and transitional housing programs.
RTI encourages behavioral treatment providers in improving their knowledge and skills, and delivers evidence-based tobacco treatment clinical services. For example, frequent webinar events cover tobacco use and treatment topics throughout the year.
In addition to the many free activities and resources for behavioral health systems, RTI also offers accredited Tobacco Treatment Specialist training. This intensive training is also available virtually, increasing access to evidence-based treatment across Indiana.
In partnership with the Indiana Counselors Association on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ICAADA), RTI provides a one-hour overview of tobacco use and treatment strategies during the organization’s five-day Recovery Coach Training.
RTI also provides a half-day Tobacco Free Recovery Workshop for more in-depth learning for recovery coaches, case managers, social workers, addiction counselors, and other behavioral health care professionals.
Since the initial ICAADA training launch in 2019, RTI has trained 145 tobacco treatment professionals.
Co-led by Purdue University’s College of Pharmacy, this grant initiative trains pharmacists across the state on the Indiana protocol to prescribe seven FDA-approved tobacco treatment medications, as well as offer counseling on tobacco cessation.
In addition to the 40 chain and independent pharmacies who are participating, other partners in this project include:
A strategic media campaign, using the CDC’s Tips from Former Smoker ads, directs consumers to their local pharmacy and the Indiana Tobacco Quitline.
Genoa Healthcare and Rethink Tobacco Indiana (RTI) have teamed up to implement the Indiana Standing Order in all 40 pharmacies across the state.
In addition, RTI will train Genoa’s 180 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on evidence-based tobacco treatment strategies and the Indiana Tobacco Quitline services.
Rethink Tobacco Indiana, Indiana Department of Health, and Indiana Leadership Academy for Wellness and Tobacco-Free Recovery have advocated for Medicaid reimbursement policy changes.
Effective July 1, 2021, Medicaid reinstated reimbursement for brief tobacco counseling interventions, removed unit limits for counseling coverage, removed diagnosis restrictions, and expanded eligible providers to include dentists.
RTI collaborates with the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction to administer a biennial assessment to their 32 funded community mental health centers and addiction providers, evaluating their performance on tobacco-free grounds policies and level of tobacco treatment services offered to clients.
In addition, these funded partners are offered free technical assistance to improve their tobacco treatment and policy efforts.
Email: ocoe@iu.edu
Phone: 317-278-4822
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