The harm reduction coalition of kansas city (the coalition) is a partnership of KC care health center (KC care), first call (FC), and the university of missouri-kansas city (umkc) designed to increase…

The harm reduction coalition of kansas city (the coalition) is a partnership of KC care health center (KC care), first call (FC), and the university of missouri-kansas city (umkc) designed to increase the availability and scope of harm reduction services throughout the kansas city (KC) metropolitan area. Through these expanded harm reduction services, the coalition aims to decrease the number of overdoses and associated hospitalizations and deaths in the region; reduce the spread of transmissible illnesses associated with substance use disorder (SUD) and consequences thereof; and reduce harm caused by SUD in the greater KC community. Data from the missouri department of health and human services reveals that in the first half of 2021, overdose deaths increased 40% in KC. This data also reveals that black residents are increasingly more likely to experience overdose deaths compared to their white counterparts. The partnership has determined a clear need for expanded harm reduction services in the region as a result of these alarming trends. The coalition will primarily reach underserved residents of greater KC, including black, indigenous, and people of color (bipoc) communities, individuals with one or more chronic health conditions or disabilities, members of the lgbtq+ community, and those who live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. While the coalition will fill gaps in harm reduction services faced by those who belong to underserved communities, the services of this partnership will be available to anyone who seeks education, testing, counseling, or care, regardless of ability to pay. The coalition expects to reach 1,325 clients in the first year of the initiative and 4,900 over a three-year period. The coalition will provide interventions through distribution and education on the use of fentanyl test strips and naloxone. KC care will adopt new screening procedures for SUD through the assistance of umkc, referring clients who screen positive for SUD to FC to be linked with their harm reduction specialist and/or recovery advocate. FC will adopt new screening procedures for transmissible illnesses associated with SUD with the assistance of umkc and will refer clients who screen positive for transmissible illnesses to KC care for testing, treatment, and counseling. KC care will expand their ability to add gonorrhea and chlamydia tests to their rapid testing panels. FC will further refer clients to KC care's behavioral health services if they are seeking therapeutic or psychological services. These programs will complement existing efforts of the partnership, such as distributing safer SEX kits, increasing access to and education about prep, community outreach and education initiatives, rapid HIV and hepatitis c virus (HCV) testing, HIV and HCV primary care, linkages to social and support services, access to naloxone, and KC care's syringe exchange program.