HEAL Research on Interventions for Stability and Engagement (RISE) Network Coordination Center

The magnitude of the overdose crisis has led to an increased focus on improving access to services to mitigate the negative consequences associated with the use of opioids and other substances. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative, has launched a collective of nine research projects and a Coordination Center (CC) to improve understanding of the effectiveness and outcomes of implementation of community-based programs and services for people who use drugs. RTI International proposes to serve as the CC for the HEAL Research on Interventions for Stability and Engagement (RISE) Network. In this capacity, RTI will establish a centralized structure for scientific, administrative, and logistical operations that facilitates network coordination and communication (Aim 1). RTI will facilitate a network-engaged process of developing common metrics and measures to support HEAL data harmonization, data infrastructure and sharing, and provide methodology consultations (Aim 2). RTI will establish an infrastructure that facilitates meaningful engagement of interested parties representing individuals and communities at highest risk for the negative consequences associated with drug use (Aim 3). To accelerate the translation of research findings into practice, RTI will establish a research infrastructure that facilitates the timely development and dissemination of translational products, including effective dissemination strategies through user-centered design (Aim 4). Our team of core leaders, co-investigators, and scientific advisors are experts in data harmonization, statistical methodology, data infrastructure development and management, and implementation science. RTI has extensive experience successfully running CCs across NIH and retains substantive collective expertise in substance use research and community engagement to implement a portfolio of scientific and support activities for the network. The RISE-CC will provide the needed robust central operation to coordinate a comprehensive multi-project, multi-pronged research endeavor.