Puerto rico targeted capacity expansion: special projects

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded Intercambios Puerto Rico, Inc., $2.25 million on September 30, 2025, under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.243) to expand treatment and harm reduction capacity in eastern Puerto Rico.

Intercambios Puerto Rico will screen individuals for substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring disorder (COD) and risk for suicide; provide SUD and COD treatment; deliver harm reduction services; offer tobacco cessation support; furnish case management and peer support; conduct community engagement; and distribute fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips, and FDA-approved opioid overdose reversal medications. The recipient will implement three evidence-based practices: Motivational Interviewing, Transtheoretical Model, and Group Peer Support. The program targets individuals age 21 and older who have or are at risk of SUD or COD, particularly those experiencing poverty or homelessness and lacking access to healthcare or treatment, across eastern Puerto Rico with primary focus on Luquillo, Fajardo, and Ceiba municipalities and potential expansion to Humacao and nearby areas. Intercambios Puerto Rico will serve 150 individuals in year one and 175 individuals per year in years two and three, totaling 500 individuals served through the three-year period of performance ending September 29, 2028.

Abstract

Intercambios puerto rico (IPR) is proposing a program to address the high rates of substance use disorder (SUD) and/or CO-occurring disorder (COD) among communities with a high prevalence of these disorders in eastern puerto rico. This program will serve individuals 21 and older who have or are at risk of SUD or COD, particularly those experiencing poverty or homelessness and who lack access to healthcare or treatment options in eastern puerto rico, with a focus on the luquillo, fajardo, and ceiba municipalities, with potential to include other nearby areas such as humacao. IPR will serve 150 individuals in year 1, and 175 individuals per year in years 2 and 3, to serve a total of 500 individuals through this project. Project name. Puerto rico targeted capacity expansion: special projects populations to be served. The population of focus (POF) will be individuals 21 and older who have or are at risk of SUD or COD, particularly those experiencing poverty or homelessness and who lack access to healthcare or treatment options. The geographic catchment area where services will be delivered is eastern puerto rico, with a focus on the luquillo, fajardo, and ceiba municipalities, with potential to include other nearby areas such as humacao. Strategies/interventions. Program activities will include: 1) screening for SUD/COD and risk for suicide; 2) treatment of SUD/COD; 3) services that reduce substance-related harm; 4) tobacco cessation; 5) case management/peer support services; 6) community engagement activities; and 7) the purchase of fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips, and FDA-approved opioid overdose reversal medications. IPR will also implement 3 ebps: motivational interviewing (MI), transtheoretical model, and group peer support (GPS). Project goals and measurable objectives. IPR's program goal is to improve health outcomes among the POF by expanding access to and enhancing the quality of integrated, evidence-based services for individuals with SUD. IPR's measurable objectives are to: 1) conduct outreach and engagement, reaching 250 members of the POF per year; 2) enroll at least 150/175 participants into program services per year; 3) conduct screening and assessment of 90% participants per year for SUD, COD, and risk for suicide; 4) provide trauma-informed, low-barrier, evidence-based SUD and mental health treatment services to 90% enrolled participants per year; 5) provide case management services, referral, navigation services, and linkages to services for 90% participants per year; 6) provide peer support services for 80% participants per year; 7) provide evidence-based harm reduction education, supplies, and services for at least 90% of the POF per year for all that meet criteria/meet need for this service; 8) distribute naloxone and other opioid overdose reversal medications, drug checking equipment, and overdose prevention education to 90% individuals per year; and 9) provide tobacco cessation services to at least 90% individuals per year.