Seminole County COSSAP Grant Project

Seminole County is requesting funding in the amount of $1,299,167.06 from the Category 1B FY22 BJA Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-Based Program. The County has drafted an evidence-based four-part plan to combat opioid use, abuse, overdose, and arrest which conforms to the following activities as outlined under Category 1:

Naloxone for law enforcement and first responders.

Utilizing 18% of budget

Court programming to prioritize and expedite treatment and recovery services for individuals at high risk for overdose, as well as services for children and youth impacted by their parents’ or other family members’ substance abuse

Utilizing 34% of budget

Embedding social workers, peers, and/or persons with lived-in experience at any intercept of the Sequential Intercept Model. This program component will hire a social worker to conduct screenings and plan and implement an Education and Community Outreach program, with special attention to targeted, high-need communities.

Utilizing 33% of budget

Evidence-based substance use disorder treatment related to opioids, stimulants, and other illicit drugs, such as MAT, as well as harm reduction activities and recovery support services.

Utilizing 15% of budget

The program service area is Seminole County, Florida. The program's expected outcome is to achieve a tangible drop in opioid overdose, use, and arrest, expand the workforce serving citizens with addiction, expand recovery support services, and remove barriers to access to support in historically underserved populations. 

Seminole County is seeking priority consideration under Priority Area 1A.  This project will address potential inequities and barriers to equal opportunity and contribute to greater access to services for underserved citizens in targeted marginalized, high-need communities and populations.  (These communities are described on page 9 of the narrative).

The County works following the SAMSHA Sequential Intercept Model (SIM), Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) to consistently assess and facilitate communication and coordinate services across criminal justice, medical and service provider agencies. To implement successful programs, the County will partner with the 18th Judicial Circuit Court Administration, The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Health, Brooke Research & Consulting, LLC, and the Public Safety Coordinating Council.