Project Grant H79TI087391

The Vermont First Responder Emergency Opioid Response Project is a $1,600,000 Project Grant awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance (CFDA 93.243) program. The project aims to enhance the ability of first responders and key community sectors in Vermont to safely provide emergency treatment for opioid overdoses, increase referrals to treatment and recovery services, and improve awareness of opioid overdose harm reduction practices in high-burden, low-resource communities. Key goals include ensuring access to naloxone, harm reduction supplies, and referral services, as well as providing training and resources to first responders and community sectors. Over the 4-year funding period, the project is expected to reach over 4,900 unduplicated individuals, including at least 4,000 first responders and 912 overdose victims and their families. The project will also focus on serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities in Vermont. Additionally, a $225,000 sub-award was made to Spectrum Youth And Family Services, Inc. to implement a cultural brokers program as part of the overall project.