The city of menomonie, wisconsin police department (MPD) seeks to support phase III of project hope

The City of Menomonie, Wisconsin Police Department received a $995,275 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and other Substances Use Program (CFDA 16.838). The grant will fund Phase III of the city's Project HOPE initiative, which aims to address the escalating impacts of opioid, stimulant, and other substance use disorders in the rural Menomonie and Dunn County communities. Key services to be provided include:

• Expanding the Quick Response Team's capacity by incorporating a full-time social worker and a project manager to enhance coordination of mental health and substance use disorder interventions, especially for justice-involved individuals and their families.
• Increasing community awareness and education about substance use and mental health disorders through public outreach initiatives led by the project manager.
• Enhancing youth education and mentoring programs, such as the Botvin LifeSkills program and the Youth Review Team, to mitigate risk factors associated with substance use among young people.
• Expanding peer support services in rural areas to provide critical support and care planning, promoting recovery and wellness for adults with substance use disorders.

The award period is from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

This initiative targets the rural community of menomonie (population 16,843) and the broader dunn county (population 45,440), addressing the escalating impacts of opioid, stimulant, and other illicit substance use disorders. Since its inception in 2020, project hope has evolved through a collaborative effort among multiple local agencies. The project employs a comprehensive strategy encompassing prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and enforcement. Phases i and II saw the establishment of the behavioral health officer (BHO), quick response team (QRT), and youth review team (YRT), which have been pivotal in connecting individuals with treatment and services. However, the current staffing levels limit the scope of the outreach and support provided. Phase III of project hope aims to expand services by incorporating a full-time social worker and a project manager to enhance the QRT's capacity. The social worker will facilitate coordination of mental health and substance use disorder interventions, focusing on justice-involved individuals and their families. The project manager will handle administrative tasks, allowing the BHO to concentrate on active outreach and client engagement. The funding request addresses the need for increased community awareness and education about substance use and mental health disorders. A project manager will lead outreach initiatives, partnering with community stakeholders to organize public education events. Additionally, the project will enhance youth education and mentoring programs, particularly through the botvin lifeskills program and the YRT, to mitigate risk factors associated with substance use among young people. To support adults with substance use disorders, project hope will expand peer support services in rural areas, partnering with kaleidoscope center. This expansion will provide critical support and care planning, promoting recovery and wellness among participants facing transportation barriers and limited accessibility in rural communities. Project hope's deliverables will include comprehensive training and education reports, quarterly community data reports, and an annual summary of activities and accomplishments. The project will be managed by experienced personnel within the MPD and supported by a network of community partners, to ensure effective implementation and long-term sustainability.