Sara Rainer
Biography
Sara Rainer, MPH, is a Research Project Manager at the OHSU-PSU SPH in Dr. Elizabeth Waddell’s research group. With ten years of project management and evaluation experience, her research focuses on access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and recovery services, identifying barriers and facilitators to equitable access, and promoting the delivery of inclusive, high-quality care for all.
Most recently, she has served as Project Director on the Oregon Improving People’s Access to Community-based Treatment, Supports and Services (IMPACTS) local evaluation and technical assistance project, a program directed by Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 430.213 and administered by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. In this role, Sara provides assistance to grantees implementing strategies to divert adults with serious and persistent behavioral health needs from the criminal justice system, hospitalizations, and institutional placements.
Other recent projects include conducting an inventory and gap analysis of resources available for substance use disorder prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction across Oregon, in close collaboration with the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Drug and Alcohol Policy Committee, and assessing the treatment landscape for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Additionally, with support from an SPH Catalyst Award, exploring client preference for medications for opioid use disorder and treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions after release from the Oregon Department of Corrections.
Education, Degrees
BA, University of New Hampshire, 2013
MPH, University of New Hampshire, 2018
¹ CEPH Primary Instructional Faculty
² CEPH Non-Primary Instructional Faculty
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