Partnering with Communities
Culturally centering your CM program may be useful to meet the needs of the population you serve. Researchers have noted that culturally centered interventions lead to better treatment engagement, acceptability and outcomes.
It is also helpful so that you can better meet the specific needs of your community and address other barriers. For example, barriers related to the social determinants of health, discrimination and structural racism.
A Framework for Cultural Re-Centering
A recent study found that among Indigenous communities seeking treatment for alcohol use, it was important to focus on the use of appropriate language with the population, being thoughtful in who delivers the intervention, and how the content of the program is developed and described.
Venner, K. L., Hernandez-Vallant, A., Hirchak, K. A., & Herron, J. L. (2022). A scoping review of cultural adaptations of substance use disorder treatments across Latinx communities: Guidance for future research and practice. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 137, 108716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108716
Culturally Centering CM: Spotlight on American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
One example of cultural centering of CM has been with American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. Incentives that were especially meaningful included the cultural values of bringing families together, gift giving, generosity and supporting the individual’s healthy role in their community.
Hirchak, K. A., Echo-Hawk, H., Parent, S., Peavy, K. M., Webb, K., Bajet, K., Richardson, M., Granbois, A., Herron, J. L., Catron, K., King, K., Parsells, E., Freese, T. E., Thomas, L. R., Rawson, R., Clark, H. W., Roll, J., & McDonell, M. G. (2023). The urgent need for contingency management among Tribal communities in the United States: Considerations for implementation, policy, and sovereignty. Preventive Medicine, 176, 107662. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107662
Hirchak, K. A., Oluwoye, O., Nadeau, M., Richardson, M., Bajet, K., Brigman, M., Herron, J. L., Hernandez-Vallant, A., Vasquez, A., Pham, C., Oliver, K. A., Baukol, P., Webb, K., Belone, L., McDonell, M. G., Venner, K. L., & Campbell, A. N. C. (2023). Coming together for something good: Recommendations from a scoping review for dissemination and implementation science to improve Indigenous substance use disorder treatment. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1265122. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1265122
Behavioral Health Innovations WSU. (2019, August 30). Red Road [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=sx4nAkWG9lM&t=5s
Hirchak, K. A., Leickly, E., Herron, J., Shaw, J., Skalisky, J., Dirks, L. G., Avey, J. P., McPherson, S., Nepom, J., Donovan, D., Buchwald, D., McDonell, M. G., & HONOR Study Team (2018). Focus groups to increase the cultural acceptability of a contingency management intervention for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 90, 57–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2018.04.014
Implementation Framework
RE-AIM includes 5 domains to help your program better engage your population and monitor on-going success and sustainability of CM at your organization. Click on each domain to learn more.
Holtrop, J. S., Estabrooks, P. A., Gaglio, B., Harden, S. M., Kessler, R. S., King, D. K., Kwan, B. M., Ory, M. G., Rabin, B. A., Shelton, R. C., & Glasgow, R. E. (2021). Understanding and applying the RE-AIM framework: Clarifications and resources. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 5(1), e126. https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2021.789
Glasgow, R. E., Battaglia, C., McCreight, M., Ayele, R. A., & Rabin, B. A. (2020). Making implementation science more rapid: Use of the RE-AIM framework for mid-course adaptations across five health services research projects in the Veterans Health Administration. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 194. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00194
Shelton, R. C., Chambers, D. A., & Glasgow, R. E. (2020). An extension of RE-AIM to enhance sustainability: Addressing dynamic context and promoting health equity over time. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 134.
CM in Rural Communities
If you’re working in a rural community, there may be different implementation strategies that can lead to increased success. Staffing needs or workforce shortages, stigma related to treatment, and how to ensure long-term program delivery may need additional thought.
Winstanley, E. L., McPherson, S. M., & Korthuis, P. T. (2024). Introduction to the special series: Using evidence to enhance health services for individuals using drugs in rural communities. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 19, 59. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-024-00489-z
Peavy, K. M., Olsen, J. (2025). Contingency Management Impact: Lived experience and rural practice [Webinar]. Northwest Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Collaborative. https://wsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bw5zh3RpmMIGhIG