UBalt's Center for Public Safety Innovation Disperses $1M in Federal Grant Funding Aimed at Reducing Overdose and Related Harm
January 2, 2024
Contact: Office of Advancement and External Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
Eight innovative programs across eight states received grants up to $180,000 through The University of Baltimore's Center for Public Safety Innovation to undertake research activities and support, and promote law enforcement and public health partnerships specifically aimed at reducing drug overdoses. Combating Overdose through Community-Level Intervention is a program funded through a partnership between the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The winning proposals, selected from a total of 40 applications, are listed by state as follows:
Alaska
The Alaska Fentanyl Response Project received $135,000. The mission of the Alaska Fentanyl Response Project is to be a beacon of hope in Alaska's fight against illicit drug overdoses and poisonings. The project provides naloxone kits and training to historically underserved Alaska Native communities which have been heavily impacted by synthetic opioid related overdose deaths. The project focuses on increasing awareness, prevention, and education within Alaskan communities regarding the severe risks associated with illicit drug overdose and poisoning.
Florida
The Baker Prevention Coalition, Inc. received $82,800. This initiative, entitled Project Elevate Hope, focuses on two main areas: transportation and employment. The project will increase access to treatment by identifying and meeting transportation needs through various projects, including a bicycle program targeting individuals with suspended or revoked licenses. The project will also help individuals in recovery to find and sustain employment through individualized programs designed to meet specific needs (i.e., training, interviewing, professional clothing, etc.).
Maine
The Redington-Fairview General Hospital, DBA Somerset Public Health, received $134,987. This project will use law enforcement and emergency medical services (EMS) data to identify people with substance use disorder and their affected others to provide a quick response team that focuses on providing no barrier/low barrier access to treatment (including medications for opioid use disorder), counseling, recovery services, and social support. This approach will be complemented by the establishment of "drop-in" community connection centers where people with substance use disorder and affected others can find mutual support and access supportive services for harm reduction, treatment, and recovery.
Massachusetts
The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission received $130,950. The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission will expand new and ongoing community-entered, field-based interventions to reduce arrests while expanding access to evidence-based services that will advance equity and enhance the research base to be replicable in similar rural areas facing disparities in access to care. The project will provide EMS and behavioral health-centered field outreach to individuals at higher risk for overdose, engage with communities disproportionately affected by substances, supplement existing harm reduction and recovery capacities, and implement communications strategies to increase engagement with services while reducing stigma.
Michigan
Families Against Narcotics received $180,000. This project will enhance a diversion program, ReDirect, which allows individuals with substance use disorders who are also involved with the justice system to "divert" from legal consequences to obtain treatment. The project's main function will be to expand the existing program to reach six counties in southeastern Michigan, building upon existing connections with aligned criminal justice systems.
New Jersey
The County of Essex received $135,000. The Essex County Post-Overdose Quick Response Team (ECQRT), is a comprehensive initiative designed to combat the pressing issue of opioid overdoses within Essex County. The primary focus is on reducing non-fatal overdoses, with particular attention to county parks. The ECQRT Outreach Team will conduct post-overdose visits to those who had a non-fatal overdose, aiming to build trust, assess the individual's stage of change, and provide vital education, resources, and support. A central aspect is tailored care management plans for each program participant.
New York
The Addiction Center of Broome County received $180,000. Often overlooked, children and adolescents in the community struggle with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), due to the overdose epidemic, especially the growing numbers of those who have been orphaned due to the opioid epidemic. The "Supporting Children and Adolescents" project will assist children and adolescents who are experiencing ACEs, especially those impacted by the overdose epidemic. Interventions include child centered play therapy, Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment, assessment, trauma screening, youth peer advocacy, wellness recovery action planning and training on Youth Mental Health First Aid and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training.
Pennsylvania
Savage Sisters Recovery, Inc. received $179,100. The Savage Sisters Harm Reduction Expansion into West and North Philadelphia will consist of two weekly outreach events, and a partnership between Savage Sisters, law enforcement, and first responders responding to overdoses and individuals at risk of overdoses. Savage Sisters will utilize a van to meet those in North and West Philadelphia that are affected by substance use disorder and housing insecurity, providing needed resources. Savage Sisters will respond on an on-call basis when law enforcement and first responders in North and West Philadelphia are responding to calls involving overdoses and individuals at risk of an overdose.
Learn more about UBalt's Center for Public Safety Innovation.