Closing the Gap: Disseminating Office-Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) to Diverse Stakeholder Audiences in Delaware
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026; 9:00 am - 12:15 pm
Presenter: Jesse Tallyen, LCSW, LCDP, CADC
Synopsis: Opioid overdose continues to affect Delaware at rates higher than the national average, even as recent data show a decline in deaths. Office-Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) is a model in which people receive medication for opioid use disorder in a regular medical office rather than a specialty clinic. This approach is flexible, private, and easier to access for many rural and underserved communities, but OBAT remains underused across Delaware, often because information about it does not reach the people who make decisions about services, funding, or referrals.
The presenter explores how social workers can help close that gap through effective communication and dissemination. Using real examples from rural Delaware, we will look at how planning decisions, community perceptions, and outdated information can unintentionally limit access to OBAT. Participants will learn how to tailor messages about OBAT to different audiences—such as policymakers, educators, community partners, and providers—so that each group understands its role in expanding access to treatment. A brief simulation will show how a single planning decision can shape service availability in a community. By the end of the session, participants will understand how OBAT works, why it matters, and how social workers can use clear, equity-focused communication to strengthen access to treatment across the state.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Describe what Office-Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) is and how it supports people with opioid use disorder.
2. Identify structural and policy barriers that limit OBAT access in Delaware’s rural and underserved communities.
3. Explain how planning and development decisions can shape where services are—and are not—available.
4. Recognize communication strategies that help social workers engage policymakers, providers, and community partners.
CE: 3 Cat 1 
Cost: NASW Member - $50; Non Member - $75; Retired Member - 30; Student Member - $20

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