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Health care industry

California Awards $25 Million to Combat Opioid Crisis with Community-Driven Approach

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has awarded over $25 million to more than 70 organizations to combat the opioid crisis in California, with a focus on expanding access to treatment, strengthening community partnerships, and saving lives. The grants represent a critical part of the State's Opioid Response (SOR) initiative, which aims to address the opioid crisis with a comprehensive, compassionate, and community-driven approach. DHCS Director Michelle Baass emphasized the importance of expanding access to treatment, investing in prevention, and dismantling the stigma surrounding addiction.

Key Takeaways:

  • DHCS awarded $25 million to 70+ organizations to combat the opioid crisis in California, with a focus on treatment, community partnerships, and saving lives.
  • $2.1 million was awarded to 12 organizations to implement the SOR IV Tribal Local Opioid Coalition (TLOC) program, which supports Tribal and Urban Indian communities by increasing access to treatment, providing culturally rooted recovery services, and reducing overdoserelated deaths.
  • DHCS also awarded nearly $3 million to four DHCS-licensed Narcotic Treatment Programs (NTP) to create satellite facilities, called medication units, to expand access to addiction treatment, particularly in rural areas and communities with transportation barriers.
  • Residential Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) services were also expanded, with DHCS awarding over $21 million to 59 DHCS-licensed residential substance use disorder treatment programs to launch or expand onsite evidence-based MAT services.
  • The grants allow organizations to increase access to Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT), including buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone, to patients unable to travel to an NTP due to lack of geographic proximity or other factors.

Statistics:

  • $25,000,000: Total awarded to multiple organizations to combat the opioid crisis in California.
  • 70+: Organizations awarded grants to combat the opioid crisis.
  • $2,100,000: Awarded to 12 organizations to implement the SOR IV Tribal Local Opioid Coalition (TLOC) program.
  • 59: DHCS-licensed residential substance use disorder treatment programs awarded grants to launch or expand onsite evidence-based MAT services.
  • 18 months: Timeline for proposed MU to be operational from receipt of funding.
  • $750,000: Maximum funding available for initial start-up costs for new medication units.

Sources:

  • California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
  • DHCS Director Michelle Baass
  • SOR IV Tribal Local Opioid Coalition (TLOC) program
  • DHCS-licensed Narcotic Treatment Programs (NTP)
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
  • Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT)
  • BayMark Health Services
  • Pinnacle Treatment Center
  • Gateway House for Women and Sacramento Recovery House for Men
  • The Crossroads Foundation

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