“The trick is, how do we link all these things” to the providers, DiNatale said. The meeting included introductions, an OD2A overview and discussion about how to streamline references, the best way to contact each other and prerequisites for addiction clients, the beginnings of a collaborative community outreach initiative that will help to support addicts “in whatever stage they are in,” Christensen said. We want to streamline the services and as we refer back and forth, how can we learn more about each other and who to call, the exact person who can help. “These are people who we primarily interact with. “Our OD2A program saw a need to coordinate collaboration between agencies and recovery month was an appropriate time to hold our initial meeting with a local group of providers with whom we most closely interact,” Christensen said. “The focus of the OD2A initiative in the city is those individuals in Fitchburg who are homeless or housing insecure and at risk of overdose,” said Christensen, who is responsible for the implementation of the program.Ĭhristensen said it currently contracts with addiction outreach specialist, educator and certified recovery coach Keith Barnaby, who serves as the OD2A street outreach worker and harm reduction specialist.įitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale (l.) presented a National Recovery Month proclamation to Health Department Director Steve Curry on the steps of city hall Wednesday surrounded by community partners who provide addiction treatment services and make up the newly formed Fitchburg Interagency Team. OD2A concentrates on understanding and tracking the complex and changing nature of the drug overdose epidemic and highlights the need for seamless integration of data into prevention strategies. According to the CDC website, the OD2A program helps collect high quality, comprehensive and timely data on nonfatal and fatal overdoses and helps use the data to inform prevention and response efforts. The Health Department was awarded a three-year, $300,000 Overdose to Action (OD2A) grant in 2020 through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that is supported by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The meeting exceeded our expectations and demonstrated that by collaborating and communicating, we can better serve the community.” “The goal of the working group is to streamline referrals and provide an opportunity for local providers to work together effectively and efficiently to meet the needs of the residents we serve,” said City of Fitchburg Health Department Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator Susan Christensen. Community partners that provide addiction treatment services make up the newly formed Fitchburg Interagency Team. The event coincided with an initial meeting with several community partners that provide addiction treatment services who make up the newly formed Fitchburg Interagency Team. FITCHBURG - Mayor Stephen DiNatale recognized September as National Recovery Month on the steps of City Hall Wednesday, part of the national observance held every September to promote and support addiction treatment and recovery practices and recognize the dedication of service providers and community members who make recovery in all its forms possible.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |