RECADEMY Webinar Examines Monarch’s Specialized Treatment Model For Individuals With Co-Occurring Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities And Substance Use Disorders

[Gettysburg, PA] — July 13, 2026 – As provider organizations expand access to evidence-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, many are recognizing that traditional treatment models are not equipped to meet the needs of individuals with co-occurring intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). These consumers continue to face significant barriers to care because many treatment approaches were not designed to address their unique cognitive, behavioral, and recovery support needs.

In response to this longstanding challenge, RECADEMY, an OPEN MINDS online learning collaborative, has announced the seventh webinar in its 2026 educational series focused on advancing evidence-based substance use disorder treatment. The session will feature a real-world case study from Monarch, examining how the organization developed a specialized treatment model for individuals with co-occurring I/DD and SUD.

The webinar: “Whole Person Care For Consumers With Co-Occurring Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) And Substance Use Disorders (SUD): How Monarch Developed A Specialized Treatment Model For A Historically Underserved Population,” will be held on July 14, 2026, and will feature Todd Posey, M.Ed., LCMHCS, LCAS, CCS, Vice President of Clinical Best Practice at Monarch. The session will be moderated by Rick Gutierrez, Ph.D., Senior Associate at OPEN MINDS.

Monarch serves more than 27,000 individuals annually across North Carolina and Rhode Island through behavioral health, intellectual and developmental disability, crisis, outpatient, residential, and community-based services. Recognizing that individuals with co-occurring I/DD and SUD were frequently underserved by traditional treatment models, Monarch developed a specialized framework that combines adapted recovery education, caregiver engagement, workforce training, interactive learning tools, and individualized supports tailored to varying cognitive abilities.

Through this case study, attendees will examine how Monarch identified a critical gap in care, developed a specialized treatment model, and built the organizational and workforce infrastructure needed to support long-term implementation. The session will highlight practical strategies other provider organizations can adapt when expanding services for individuals with co-occurring I/DD and SUD.

“One of the biggest challenges facing provider organizations is that the people seeking care rarely fit neatly into the treatment models that have been built,” said Monica E. Oss, Chief Executive Officer of OPEN MINDS. “Individuals with co-occurring intellectual and developmental disabilities and substance use disorders have historically been overlooked because traditional treatment approaches weren’t designed with them in mind. Monarch chose to redesign care rather than accept that gap, and that’s exactly the kind of innovation health care leaders can learn from.”

The webinar will also explore how organizations can adapt traditional treatment approaches by strengthening workforce readiness, engaging caregivers and support systems, incorporating lived experience into program design, and creating more accessible models of care that improve engagement and long-term recovery for historically underserved populations.

“Traditional treatment models weren’t designed for individuals with co-occurring intellectual and developmental disabilities and substance use disorders,” said Todd Posey, Vice President of Clinical Best Practice at Monarch. “Our goal was to build a framework that organizations could realistically implement – one that recognizes the unique needs of this population while improving engagement, recovery, and long-term outcomes.”

Key Learning Objectives Include:

• Why individuals with co-occurring I/DD and SUD are often underserved by traditional treatment models
• How Monarch developed a specialized treatment framework designed to improve engagement and recovery outcomes
• Organizational and workforce strategies that supported successful implementation
• Practical lessons for provider organizations seeking to expand services for historically underserved populations

Registration is now open and free for RECADEMY members.

About RECADEMY 

RECADEMY is a research-based, online learning collaborative focused on improving substance use disorder treatment across clinical settings and payer environments. Through webinars, on-demand education, and curated resources, RECADEMY supports healthcare leaders in implementing evidence-based models of care and strengthening systems that improve treatment access, continuity, and outcomes. 

About OPEN MINDS 

OPEN MINDS is a national market intelligence, management consulting, and marketing services firm specializing exclusively in the high-needs consumer market – mental health, addiction treatment, cognitive disabilities, chronic health conditions, elder services, health-related social needs, and adjacent markets within the health and human service field. The OPEN MINDS mission is to provide payers, service provider organizations, pharmaceutical, technology, and scientific firms that serve these consumers with the market and management knowledge needed to improve their organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Learn more at openminds.com.