Scott Luetgenau

About Scott Luetgenau

I help communities, behavioral health systems, and coalitions move from talk to transformation. Whether it’s leading county-wide opioid settlement planning, designing recovery court infrastructure, expanding MOUD in detention centers, or rethinking rural service delivery, I bring a systems-level lens grounded in clinical, operational, and public health expertise.My work is rooted in a few simple beliefs: evidence matters, relationships drive change, and strategy without execution is wasted effort.I’ve spent over a decade working across the substance use continuum. My background blends direct clinical practice, organizational leadership, policy work, and statewide systems change. I’ve helped grow one of North Carolina’s largest opioid treatment programs, led workforce development and burnout prevention efforts, and supported national technical assistance through SAMHSA’s Opioid Response Network.As a former board member and Finance Chair for Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, I helped shape state-level policy initiatives, strengthen member engagement, and advocate for evidence-based, ethical addiction care. This work complemented my leadership with the North Carolina SUD Federation and NC Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, aligning local experience with broader systems reform.At Gatespring, I lead consulting projects that align funding, policy, and practice. I work with counties, healthcare systems, community-based organizations, and state agencies to design and implement solutions that are ethical, effective, and sustainable. My focus areas include opioid litigation strategy, jail-based MOUD and reentry coordination, strategic grant development, trauma-informed systems, peer support supervision, and recovery messaging that cuts through stigma.I lead with clarity, conviction, and a sense of curiosity. I ask hard questions, build trust across silos, and help teams cut through the noise to focus on what works. I take pride in making complex systems easier to navigate and equipping communities to drive their own progress toward recovery and health.

Experience

1. Consultant Subject Matter Expert

   Opioid Response Network

   Jan 2019 — Present · US

   As a freelance consultant with ORN, I provide targeted technical assistance to communities, organizations, and systems working to expand access to evidence-based practices for opioid and stimulant use disorders. My work spans strategic planning, workforce training, systems transformation, and implementation support, grounded in a deep understanding of MOUD, harm reduction, recovery-oriented care, and behavioral health operations.I support a wide range of projects across the U.S, including integrating MOUD into jails and emergency departments, strengthening rural provider networks, developing peer support infrastructure, advancing trauma-informed care, and addressing stigma through recovery messaging and community education. I collaborate with state agencies, healthcare systems, behavioral health providers, coalitions, universities, and local governments.Projects often involve rapid assessment, stakeholder engagement, and tailored strategies that help teams translate knowledge into practice. I also serve as a national speaker and trainer for ORN, covering topics such as treatment access, motivational interviewing, burnout, supervision, and system-level change.As part of this work, I bring a blend of clinical insight, policy fluency, and public health strategy to support communities facing complex challenges across the SUD continuum. ORN’s mission—to provide free, locally driven technical assistance—aligns closely with my passion for equitable, effective, and sustainable addiction treatment systems.

Education

• North Carolina State University

  Bachelor of Social Work, Social Work

  2013 — 2015

• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  Master of Social Work (MSW), Direct Practice (Mental Health & Addiction Treatment)

  2015 — 2016