Niagara County PATH-3D (Presenting Alternatives to Treatment and Healing- Deflect, Destigmatize, attend to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - DEI) Team

The County of Niagara (NC) is applying as the lead entity for FY2022 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program (COSSAP) funding, Category 1b, in the amount of $1,298,000.

Serving all of Niagara, NC, along with sub-recipient agency Save the Michaels and partners including probation, law enforcement and public health, will create Niagara County PATH-3D (Presenting Alternatives for Treatment and Healing – Deflect, Destigmatize, attend to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), a two-pronged, harm-reduction approach connecting individuals to recovery supports and treatment while diverting from criminal justice involvement. The project will use a research partner, Niagara University, and seek Priority Consideration 1A.

PATH-3D will expand the community’s Quick Response to Opioid Overdose Team (QRT) to include response to overdoses of any drug type and add Family Peer Support (CRPA-F). QRT will expand referral sources beyond Law Enforcement, including other first responders, hospitals, providers, and self-referral. Dispatched to conduct follow-up with individuals post OD, the QRT will engage an individual, assess for and assist with a broad range of social, medical, and recovery support needs. Family support will be provided, including for fatal OD.  The QRT will connect with 40% of individuals referred, will link 50% of those served with recovery supports, and affect a 10% decrease in overdoses County-wide.    

PATH-3D will also create a Probationer Response Team (PRT), embedding a Licensed Clinician and CRPA into probation to assist probationers at risk of violation or revocation due to substance related issues. The PRT will engage probationers, assess, develop individual plans, and connect participants to recovery supports. Clinicians will provide brief counseling, building recovery skills and reducing barriers to care. PRT will work with 80 individuals annually and will connect 75% of individuals served to recovery supports. Minimally 50% will avoid further violations or revocations related to substance issues.

Recognizing the disparate impact of overdose and criminal justice involvement on BIPOC individuals in the community, PATH-3D will select program design and activities promoting racial equity and removing barriers to access for historically underserved and marginalized individuals. Data on disparate impact is on pages 3 – 4 of the narrative. Program design, pages 5-14, reflects strategies to address disparities; summarized on page 14.

QRT is a law enforcement deflection activity (50% of the budget).  QRT and PRT embed Social Workers/Licensed Clinical staff and Peers at Sequential Intercepts 0-1 and 5 (100% of the budget). The PRT is a field initiated project, 50% of the budget.