H79TI086374

Improving First Responder Overdose Reversal and Linkage to Care in New Jersey - The proposed project includes two inter-related initiatives to train first responders (FR) on best practices for opioid overdose reversal and linkage to care in New Jersey (NJ).

The goal of this project is to reduce racial disparities in overdoses by targeting training/resources to NJ regions with high overdose rates among Black residents. We will address gaps in FR overdose knowledge and tools through training, resources, and an application for post-overdose referrals.

More specifically, this project will refine and expand training about treating patients with SUD and overdose, with a focus on increasing education about engaging communities disproportionately impacted by the overdose crisis; distribute naloxone leave-behind materials in target regions; and expand a promising technology that offers a referral platform for linkage to care post-overdose in the EMS setting.

We aim to advance the ability of first responders to more effectively reverse opioid overdoses for Black residents that are disproportionately impacted by opioid overdoses, in partnership with a project advisory group.

The project will target residents within four counties in Northeast and Southern New Jersey (Camden, Essex, Atlantic, and Passaic counties) where there is a disproportionately high burden of overdoses among Black residents. This population was chosen because of the growing disparities in fatal and non-fatal overdoses in New Jersey between Black and White residents.

The project will catalyze existing successful initiatives, including the Five Minutes to Help FR training program developed by NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) and the Medication for Addiction Treatment and Electronic Referrals (MATTERS), developed in New York, and target these initiatives to communities that need them the most in our state.

Our specific goals are as follows:

1. Reduce opioid overdose and treatment disparities among Black residents in New Jersey by improving the tools and educational resources available to first responders, allowing them to more supportively link patients post-overdose to harm reduction and treatment resources.

2. Increase access and connection to substance use disorder treatment and harm reduction services for NJ residents at highest risk of overdose death by increasing the capacity of first responders and treatment networks to provide robust linkages to care in strategic areas of NJ.

3. Ensure the project is grounded in community needs and provider realities by convening a project advisory group to guide implementation, interpret evaluation findings, and advise on program improvement.

The project resources and tools will reach a total of 11,650 individuals at risk of overdose in New Jersey, including 1,550 in year 1, 2,200 in year 2, 2,900 in year 3, and 5,000 in year 4.

New Jersey Department Of Health

SAMHSA WAS GIVEN THE AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS PRIORITY SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT, PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE THROUGH ASSISTANCE (GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS) TO STATES, POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF STATES, INDIAN TRIBES AND TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER PUBLIC OR NONPROFIT PRIVATE ENTITIES. UNDER THESE SECTIONS, CSAT, CMHS AND CSAP SEEK TO EXPAND THE AVAILABILITY OF EFFECTIVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES AVAILABLE TO AMERICANS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THOSE AFFECTED BY ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDITIONS, AND TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE ON INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND SOCIETIES AND TO ADDRESS PRIORITY MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE AND ASSIST CHILDREN IN DEALING WITH VIOLENCE AND TRAUMATIC EVENTS THROUGH BY FUNDING GRANT AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROJECTS. GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS MAY BE FOR (1) KNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION PROJECTS FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION AND THE CONDUCT OR SUPPORT OF EVALUATIONS OF SUCH PROJECTS, (2) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, (3) TARGETED CAPACITY RESPONSE PROGRAMS (4) SYSTEMS CHANGE GRANTS INCLUDING STATEWIDE FAMILY NETWORK GRANTS AND CLIENT-ORIENTED AND CONSUMER RUN SELF-HELP ACTIVITIES AND (5) PROGRAMS TO FOSTER HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN, (6) COORDINATION AND INTEGRATION OF PRIMARY CARE SERVICES INTO PUBLICLY-FUNDED COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SETTINGS

93.243 - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance

Division of Grants Management [HHS - SAMHSA]

New Jersey United States

State-Wide

First Responders – Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (TI-23-012)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 300% from $799,988 to $3,199,952.