The northern kentucky independent district health department (NKY health) proposes to implement the northern kentucky overdose fatality review (OFR) initiative within kentuckys boone, campbell,…

This $1,300,000 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (CFDA 16.838) will support the Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department (NKY Health) in implementing the Northern Kentucky Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Initiative. The OFR Initiative aims to establish a multi-county committee across Boone, Campbell, Grant, and Kenton counties to enhance data-sharing, multidisciplinary collaboration, and strategic partnerships among key stakeholders including law enforcement, coroners, hospitals, behavioral health providers, and other relevant organizations. Project activities will include developing data-sharing agreements, a data collection tool, and an OFR operational manual, with the goal of improving surveillance and response to overdose deaths in the region. This three-year award, running from October 2024 to September 2027, is intended to lead to the formation of the multi-county OFR committee and the implementation of strategies to address overdose deaths in Northern Kentucky.

The northern kentucky independent district health department (NKY health) proposes to implement the northern kentucky overdose fatality review (OFR) initiative within kentuckys boone, campbell, grant and kenton counties. Through this proposal, a multi-county OFR will utilize strategic partnerships and will enhance and expand multidisciplinary stakeholder collaborations among and between, law enforcement, county coroners offices, hospitals, EMS, behavioral health providers, advocacy groups, harm reduction, peer support agencies, and other relevant organizations. NKY health will work closely with county officials to identify and extend invitations to individuals to represent the diverse population throughout the health district. Through this proposal, NKY health seeks to establish an OFR coordinator. Project activities will include identification of stakeholders and OFR partners, development and execution of data-sharing agreements between OFR partners, development and implementation of a data collection tool, and development of an OFR operational manual. During the first year, NKY health will focus on researching existing data sharing agreements and data collection tools through BJA and other resources; building capacity and partnership development. NKY health seeks to conduct the first OFR committee meeting in the beginning of project year two. Year three will focus on continued improvements to the OFR process and exploring regional collaborations with neighboring ofrs. Outcomes for this project include the formation of a multi-county OFR in northern kentucky, and improved surveillance and response to overdose deaths. Additional outcomes include the implementation of strategies and activities to address overdose deaths, a reduction in overdose deaths in boone, campbell, grant and kenton counties, and increased awareness and collaboration for ofrs in the region.