Making Stone Soup: Improvements in Clinic Access and Retention in Addiction Treatment

In the fable "Making Stone Soup," the hungry traveler and villagers create a meal by adding their meager offerings to a collective pot. Similarly, addiction treatment providers who share a vision of client-centered, systematic improvements can work together to improve treatment quality. This article offers examples of how NIATx member agencies have made successful changes, even when resources, staff, and time are severely limited. Read the complete article

Technical Assistance Report: Sustainability

Sustainability is an essential and integral part of change. Sustainability requires as much effort as the implementation of a project and should be considered from the beginning of any project. A Change Team that uses key tools and initiates projects with the intent of sustaining them will provide significant, long-term contributions to the organization.

This Technical Assistance Report shares useful information and practical tips associated with the sustainability of organizational process improvement. It provides an easy-to-read overview of sustainability, a self-assessment tool, a sustainability planning template, and a compendium of ideas and projects tried, tested, and sustained within the NIATx collaborative. View the full report

The NIATx Blog: Blog On Today

Join Your Peers at the NIATx Weblog!

Blogs have become a valuable resource for organizations worldwide, allowing members to circulate importing findings, pose questions, and offer advice on issues central to their shared mission. More inclusive and lasting than e-mail, blog posts start conversations, encourage sustained learning, and even develop relationships among members scattered across the country. We encourage you to frequently log in to the members-only portion of NIATx.net, and participate in the official NIATx Weblog. Blog topics in recent months include turning inquiries into admissions, clients' access to phones, and notable addiction stories in the media, such as this week's "This I Believe" segment on NPR.

And remember: Don't just visit the Weblog--take part! The discussion will be as lively as our members make it.

To visit the NIATx Weblog, simply do the following:

  1. Go to www.niatx.net.
  2. Click 'Log In' in the upper right of your screen; log in with your username and password.
  3. Select the 'Networking' link at top.
  4. Select the 'Members Only' link.
  5. Select the 'Weblog' link (listed first).

If you have lost your username and password, or have any questions, please let us know at info@niatx.net. See you at the Weblog!

Events & Presentations

February 26, 2007, 11:00-12:00p.m. CST

NIATx All-Member Call and Web cast!

  • Featured Guest: Tim Hallock, Quality and Organizational Improvement Leader St. Marys Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin
    • Topic: Care Pathways: Sound Systematic Approaches
    • Call in: 1-877-326-0011; Meeting Number: *6185935* (including asterisks)
  • The Web cast allows you to view live Web-based visuals. If you would like to view the presentation on the Web, you’ll need to have access to a phone and the Internet.
  • Follow these steps:
    • At least 30 minutes before the meeting, check your browser compatibility by going here: http://www.genesys.com/fi/Services/Genesys_Meeting_Center/BrowserTest.html. This is an important step, as many users find they need to make updates—short, painless, and necessary—to take full advantage of this innovative resource.
    • On the day of the meeting: (1) Dial in to the teleconference as you would normally, (2) On the Internet, go to: www.genesys.com, (3) Click on “Participant” in the upper right corner of the screen, (4) Enter 6185935 (meeting number without the asterisks), and (5) You’ll be entered in the meeting.
  • We look forward to talking with you on this All-Member Call and Web cast!
April 23-25, 2007, San Antonio, Texas

NIATx First Annual Summit

  • Save your spot! Register now for the First Annual NIATx Summit!
  • Just a few reasons why you'll want to join us:
    • Be inspired by nationally recognized key note speakers.
    • Take in The Improbable Players, a performance troupe featuring actors who are in recovery from alcohol or other drugs. Since 1984, they’ve performed for over a million people from elementary schools and colleges, community organizations, the workplace, and conferences.
    • Earn continuing education credits through NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals. The NIATx Summit’s workshops, led by expert faculty, offer you “research to real world” knowledge and skills that you’ll be able to use immediately.
    • Enjoy Fiesta San Antonio, the biggest party and greatest community benefit in the state of Texas!
  • Get complete information on www.niatx.net