Reflections from My First Evening at the Babson SUD Sprint Program
Last night marked the beginning of my journey at the Babson SUD Sprint Program, a week-long intensive hosted at Babson College that brings together researchers and innovators dedicated to combating substance use. The evening was a whirlwind of inspiration, as I sat with peers, each passionate about addressing the most pressing gaps within the recovery ecosystem.
One conversation that stood out was about the glaring lack of services for children and adolescents across the continuum of care. Although the group initially agreed that nothing substantial exists in this area, I realized there’s actually significant work being done—though it’s often fragmented and poorly marketed. I shared some of the initiatives and digital products I’m familiar with that are making strides in addressing adolescent SUD and other behavioral health needs. Reflecting on this discussion, it struck me why my co-founder, Whitney Menarcheck, and I created SUDCx (SUD Connection) in the first place.
Introducing SUDCx: Bridging Gaps in the SUD and Recovery Ecosystem
Created by Transcendworx, SUDCx is more than just a platform; it’s a movement to unite SUD innovators, researchers, community organizations and individuals with lived experience in a dynamic virtual community. SUDCx is designed to foster essential partnerships and promote collaborative learning, enabling the exchange of cutting-edge practices and ideas.
In our work, Whitney and I have observed a twofold problem that inspired the creation of SUDCx. First, there’s a significant communication gap between innovators and community organizations when it comes to forging meaningful partnerships. I recall a scenario where a SUD innovator was eager to pilot a new product but struggled to find guidance on where to begin beta testing within the community. SUDCx is our solution to this problem—by building a bridge between innovators, start-ups, and communities, we aim to develop the crucial partnerships needed to test and implement new products, practices, and approaches that can reduce the impact of substance use.
This solution accelerates the development and implementation of new innovations by eliminating the common barrier of identifying project collaborators and organizations willing to integrate these innovations into their workflow.
Secondly, there’s a noticeable information gap among frontline workers regarding advancements in the SUD innovation field. Too often, I hear from organizations and community partners about their lack of awareness of new developments in the SUD domain. SUDCx is poised to bridge this gap by serving as a centralized platform that provides updates on the latest developments and their implications for innovators, researchers, and community organizations alike. By fostering a more informed and connected community, SUDCx ensures that the best ideas and practices reach those who need them most.
As I continue my journey at the Babson SUD Sprint Program, I’m more convinced than ever that SUDCx has the potential to transform the recovery ecosystem. I’m excited to see how this platform will evolve and contribute to the ongoing fight against substance use.
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