In 2022 the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded a four-year grant to provide resources to first responders and members of other key community sectors at the state, tribal, and other government levels to train, carry and administer Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) approved drugs and devices for emergency reversal of known or suspected opioid overdose. The Kansas Department of Aging and Disabilities Services (KDADS) then awarded grants to two programs. Those grantees are:
- DCCCA, Inc.
- Phillips County EMS
Awardees are expected to develop plans that will:
- Develop a First Responder-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (FR-CARA) program in rural Kansas to address the reversal of overdoses from Opioids and other drugs.
- In each county of each region identify local agencies, organizations, and other key community sectors that will benefit from having access to additional overdose treatment services.
- In each region, conduct local professional/public training programs to address personal safety around licit and illicit drugs and use of Naloxone in preventing death from overdose.
- In each region, track the number of warm handoffs at each first responder incident including crisis team members, peer supports, family members, friends, and others to assure access to comprehensive care.
- In each local community/county jail, provide personal safety training around licit and illicit drugs and the use of Naloxone to reverse overdoses for jailers; provide information about referral to SUD treatment for all inmates at discharge.
Information, training, and Naloxone is now available to every Kansas resident in the identified regions for free – there is absolutely no charge.
If you have questions about this grant, please contact Robin Hanson at [email protected].