Substance use and employment services for returning individuals - the bridge recovery community center (brcc) will expand access to substance use disorder (SUD) and CO-occurring substance use and…

Substance use and employment services for returning individuals - the bridge recovery community center (brcc) will expand access to substance use disorder (SUD) and CO-occurring substance use and mental health disorders (COD) peer support services to adult men and women living in the city of bridgeport, CT, and surrounding areas, as well as those returning to the community from incarceration. From 2009-2018, connecticut's rate of opioid-involved mortality has been among the five highest in the country, with the rates of opioid-involved fatal overdose second only to new york state. During this period, the incidence of opioid-involved fatal overdoses in connecticut (CT) increased by 350%, and the rate of synthetic opioid deaths increased by 126%. Among CT residents who died of opioid overdose from 2007-2019, latino overdose rates increased from 5.7 to 21.6 people per 100,000. African americans also had a dramatic increase, from 4.8 to 18.7 per capita (nida, 2019). In 2019, CT dropped to seventh in the nation for rates of drug overdose at 34.7 deaths per 100,000 (nchs, 2021). The latest data reflects a decline in the rate of prescription opioid and heroin overdoses beginning in 2018. However, the rate of fatalities involving synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl dramatically increased from 2012-2018. Brcc peer support specialists with lived experience will meet with clients to engage them in trauma-informed recovery support services. Our evidence-based peer support services, which are based on the recovery oriented system of care model, will provide integrated services within the CRJ behavioral health program. Brcc will provide group and individual recovery support services, on-site harm reduction education, access to narcan, fentanyl strips, HIV/HEP c education, HIV testing, housing navigation services, educational/employment support, and connections to additional services in the community such as primary care. Brcc will also work with a community advisory committee, the bridgeport reentry roundtable, and state and local health and criminal justice officials to implement the program, assess quality and access, and work on sustainability efforts. The overall goals of brcc are to improve the behavioral health and recovery support of men and women in the bridgeport area. Brcc will expand access to care, reduce recidivism, increase social connectedness, increase employment, and increase safe and secure housing for this highly vulnerable population.