Chautauqua county will implement chautauqua cares to increase access to evidence-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and services, including peer support services; enhance existing harm…

The County of Chautauqua was awarded a $1,300,000 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and other Substances Use Program (COSSUP) grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (CFDA 16.838). The 3-year grant, effective October 1, 2024, will enable Chautauqua County to implement the "Chautauqua CARES" project to increase access to evidence-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and services, enhance harm reduction and prevention programming, improve data collection, and advance racial equity in its SUD response. Key project activities include offering preventive health and social supports at a re-entry hub, providing SUD education and prevention programs for high-risk youth, expanding pre-booking and post-booking diversion programs, and improving data sharing between community partners addressing substance use in the county. The project aims to serve individuals at risk of incarceration or recidivism with SUD histories or high overdose risk.

Chautauqua county will implement chautauqua cares to increase access to evidence-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and services, including peer support services; enhance existing harm reduction, diversion and youth prevention programming; improve local data collection; and advance racial equity in its SUD response.chautauqua countys opioid burden is the highest in new york state and double the statewide average. Intended beneficiaries are individuals who are at risk of incarceration or recidivism and who have (SUD), histories of substance misuse or overdose, or a high risk of overdose. The projects primary activities will be offering preventive health and social supports at the cares RE-entry hub; substance use education and prevention programs for youth in local high schools with higher risk of substance use, misuse, or justice involvement; pre-booking and post-booking diversion through magistrate-level training to increase referrals to SUD treatment and recovery support services; the expansion of a first responder deflection program; and improved use and sharing of comprehensive, real-time data between law enforcement, treatment, prevention, and other community-based organizations addressing substance use in chautauqua county.