Culturally-responsive community-driven substance use recovery for Black and Latinx populations

Overview of JCOIN EDI Need and Associated Activities Despite the pooled talent and expertise in JCOIN, there remains a need for foundational knowledge in aspects that are limiting participation from a diverse set of key stakeholders in the existing infrastructure. For instance, it is paramount that leaders

understand how structural racism (Gee and Ford, 2011), othering, and stigmatization of marginalized identities impacts research efforts, treatment initiation and engagement. Other areas of skill acquisition include, how to work effectively or comprehensively with the community of interest, given the existence of intersecting

identities—connectivity of social categorizations such as race, class, gender, sexuality, positionality, and ability (Crenshaw, 2017). Continuing JCOIN EDI efforts with established leadership in this position, prepares JCOIN to be responsive to EDI needs, and working collaboratively with an individual who has this level of expertise, along with

experience in research and engaging individuals with OUD into research and treatment. JCOIN EDI leadership can provide the education necessary to develop the network to be truly responsive to the diverse needs of the targeted population. Targeted EDI efforts will include providing individualized EDI consultation to each research hub, including the

MAARC and CTC, to assist in identifying and attending to EDI needs. Efforts will also include engaging JCOIN in EDI activities to promote learning, such as increasing knowledge about systemic racism and unconscious bias via trainings, workshops, and a seminar series. Additionally, over the two year cycle, EDI efforts will include increasing

diversity among all research hubs via recruitment and retention, as well as supporting the design and implementation of a leadership training program. Lastly, JCOIN EDI leadership will assist in increasing the capacity of each JCOIN hub to engage in EDI activities independently by developing a longer-term (5-year) strategic initiative that

continues to assess and address EDI needs and goals.