Dcor 4 - the district of columbia's opioid response 4 (dcor 4) initiative will focus on addressing the overdose crisis, driven primarily by illicit fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, by increasing…

Dcor 4 - the district of columbia's opioid response 4 (dcor 4) initiative will focus on addressing the overdose crisis, driven primarily by illicit fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, by increasing access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), reducing unmet treatment needs, and reducing opioid overdose-related deaths through the provision of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services (RSS) to individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) and other concurrent substance use disorders. Expanded services and supports will also be provided to individuals with stimulant use disorders (STUD). Through support from the first, second, and third state opioid response (SOR) grants (dcor 1, 2, and 3), the district has increased access to MOUD, including in the DC jail, and has expanded the array of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and RSS. The dcor 4 will continue many of these initiatives but will also increase entry points into the system of care (e.g., mobile MOUD initiation, targeted/intensive outreach in shelters) and improve the coordination of care for individuals as they move through the system by expanding care management initiatives in the community and at the DC jail. Additionally, peer support specialists will be used throughout the continuum of care to foster engagement and service connection. Training, technical assistance (TA), coaching, and consultation will be available to SUD providers/health care professionals to increase their ability to address an individual's whole person needs. In addition, the district will implement a coordinated approach at the community/neighborhood level by facilitating key stakeholders in each ward to work collaboratively around harm reduction, prevention, community outreach and education initiatives, and sustainability planning. The dcor 4 initiative will be implemented in all eight wards with particular focus on wards 5, 7 and 8 (highest opioid fatalities). Live.long.DC, 3.0, the district of columbia strategic plan to reduce opioid use, misuse, and related deaths will continue to be a guide for accomplishing the work. The specific goals of the grant are to 1) educate district residents and stakeholders on opioid use disorder (OUD), its risks, and prevention and harm reduction approaches through coordinated community efforts; 2) support the awareness, availability of, and access to, harm reduction services in the district of columbia; 3) implement a robust communications plan to disseminate knowledge of, and ensure equitable access to, high-quality, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, equity-based SUD treatment; 4) expand reach and impact of the highest quality RSS available and promote a recovery-oriented system of care; 5) implement a shared vision between justice and public health agencies to address the needs of individuals who come into contact with the criminal justice system; 6) strengthen the district of columbia's opioid response by cultivating a skilled workforce, advancing professional development opportunities, and implementing strategic communication methodologies to drive meaningful change. The dcor 4 initiative will serve 2,250 unduplicated individuals over the life of the grant (750 in each of the three years).