Department of Human Services Seeks Proposals to Address Pennsylvania's Heroin and Opioid Crisis

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of Governor Wolf's proposed 2015-16 budget, the Department of Human Services (DHS) announced today that it is seeking proposals for two pilot programs to provide additional services to address heroin and opioid addiction.

Heroin and other opioid overdose is a leading cause of preventable death in the country; within the Commonwealth, there has been an increase in overdose deaths from heroin and other opioids across the age span. In the last 20 years, Pennsylvania has seen a 570 percent increase in overdose deaths.

"Heroin and opioid addiction affects individuals from all walks of life across Pennsylvania," said Acting Secretary Ted Dallas. "Governor Wolf's proposed funding will improve access to these valuable options, saving lives in our communities and providing Pennsylvanians the treatment they need so they can contribute to society again."

The pilot programs, funded from DHS' proposed $2.5M increase, include "Distributing Naloxone to More First Responders" and "Vivitrol and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Pilot for County Corrections".

Distributing Naloxone to More First Responders
Naloxone is an effective medication which reverses the effects of narcotic opioid drugs. Once a first responder is trained, naloxone can be an easily administered drug for reversing opioid overdose. The goal of this pilot is to save lives and ensure individuals at risk for opioid overdose have access to treatment services within their local communities.

• DHS will provide naloxone kits to first responders, drug and alcohol treatment programs, criminal justice systems, crisis responders, and other community partners to prevent death from opioid overdose.
• A portion of these funds will be used to support the development of outreach and engagement strategies/protocols for referral of individuals at risk of opioid overdose for assessment and treatment of substance use disorders.
• Local communities will develop outreach and engagement strategies for individuals who have been treated for overdose to ensure assessment and referral for treatment occurs.
• Engagement strategies can include the use of certified recovery specialists, case management, crisis intervention staff, or other key stakeholders in the local system of care.

Vivitrol and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Pilot for County Corrections
This pilot addresses offenders diagnosed with opioid dependence who are under court jurisdiction. It will cover the costs of Vivitrol/MAT and related community-based treatment and supports for non-Medicaid eligible offenders. Treatment, as part of the criminal justice sanctions, can be effective and can reduce recidivism by up to 80 percent.

• The funds may be utilized to initiate MAT and wraparound services prior to release from incarceration to ensure engagement and continuity of care upon release to the community. 
• The grants can be used to support a combination of MAT and related behavioral treatment for individuals not currently eligible for Medical Assistance.
• The program may also be utilized in conjunction with county treatment courts.
• Counties can request grant funding up to $300,000 to develop local MAT programs to support offenders transitioning from jail to community or who are sentenced to serve intermediate punishment or restrictive intermediate punishment sentences. 

Funding for each pilot will be up to $1.25M depending on program requirements and available funding. They will be implemented by July 1, 2015, through partnerships with the departments of Health, Corrections, and Drug and Alcohol Programs, and the Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Josh Shapiro, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, lauded this collaborative effort, stating, "PCCD is pleased to support funding opportunities aimed at providing law enforcement with additional methods for saving the lives of Pennsylvanians struggling with heroin and opioid addiction."

Additional local partners include County Justice Advisory Boards, Single County Authorities, recovery specialists, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services' Persons in Recovery Advisory Committee, and local drug and alcohol service providers.

For more information on the pilots, visit www.pccd.pa.gov/Funding.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Kait Gillis, 717-425-7606

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Human Services