Drug Endangered Children in Kansas (DECK)

All Hands on DECK is a project designed to prevent and mitigate adverse childhood experiences, specifically targeting drug endangered children (DEC), who are those found in environments where illegal drugs are manufactured, sold, distributed, used or where there is other significant evidence of illegal drugs. Approximately 140,860 Kansas children are living in environments where their parent or caregiver uses substances and an estimated 5,155 Kansas infants are born exposed to substances every year. Recent data show Kansas has had increases in drug overdoses and deaths that are higher than the national average. Drug endangered children are much more likely to use substances themselves; have chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and obesity; experience mental health issues; and have social problems including financial difficulties and employment challenges. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is submitting this proposal for funding to continue and expand the development and implementation of a comprehensive statewide program, All Hands on DECK (Drug Endangered Children in Kansas) which addresses substance use and misuse; promotes public safety; reduces overdose deaths; and supports access to prevention, harm-reduction, treatment, and recovery services in Kansas communities and multiple systems including the justice system. The goals of this project are to 1) improve identification of and response to drug endangered children in Kansas by providing training; increasing collaboration and multidisciplinary approaches; and implementing a robust subaward component; 2) increase awareness of drug endangered children in Kansas through development of a statewide media campaign; an increase in real-time data collection and dissemination; and integration of DEC awareness into existing initiatives like drug take back days; and 3) build the capacity of project partners to implement a statewide DEC initiative. The project is being designed and implemented with an equity frame and is targeting those who have been underserved and/or adversely affected by inequality. The project divides the state into six regions, with assistance provided by public health specialists located in each region, to ensure geographic equity and targets all four Kansas tribes-- Iowa, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, and Sac and Fox. This project is an investment in changing the trajectory for children suffering the negative impacts of living in environments where drugs are present and will develop a model that can be replicated throughout Kansas and across the United States. This funding proposal will allow for full implementation of our originally proposed project.