New Toolkit Helps California Implement Mobile Narcotic Treatment Programs for Opioid Use Disorder

Mental Health and SUDOpioid Use Disorder

Oct 30

The state of California has made significant investments to expand access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) In 2024, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) provided new funding for mobile units to expand access to treatment services. These units focus on reaching rural areas, justice-involved populations, Indigenous and Native communities, patients without transportation, and regions without nearby treatment centers. These new Mobile Narcotic Treatment Programs (MNTPs) take services historically provided at brick-and-mortar opioid use disorder treatment facilities – called Narcotic Treatment Programs (NTPs) – out into communities where they can reach more individuals.

Aurrera Health Group developed a toolkit for DHCS, Creating a Mobile Narcotic Treatment Program (MNTP): Toolkit for Licensed Narcotic Treatment Programs (NTP), to assist existing California licensed NTPs in launching these new MNTPs.

The toolkit aims to help NTPs in California navigate requirements across DHCS, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It also provides an overview of how to create a compliant MNTP with efficient use of time and financial resources. The toolkit focuses on practical information based on experiences in other states and includes:

A checklist for starting an MNTP;

Steps to keep in mind when starting an MNTP;

Overall questions to consider when establishing an MNTP; and,

A list of additional resources.

With recent federal rule changes from the DEA and new guidance to states from SAMHSA allowing NTPs to take treatment services out into communities through mobile units, it’s likely that more states will consider expanding these programs. While focused on California, this toolkit may help other states as they embark on building similar mobile treatment programs. To learn how Aurrera Health can assist your state in implementing mobile treatment programs or similar initiatives, please reach out to Managing Principal Kelly Murphy.