First Responder Partnerships

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) Program is the first major federal substance use disorder treatment and recovery legislation in 40 years and the most comprehensive effort to address the opioid epidemic. CARA establishes a comprehensive, coordinated, and balanced strategy through enhanced grant programs that expand prevention and education efforts while also promoting treatment and recovery. The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program was developed as part of the CARA legislation signed into law on July 22, 2016.

The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program aims to reduce opioid abuse and the number of overdose fatalities, as well as to mitigate the impacts on crime victims. The program also supports the implementation, enhancement, and proactive use of prescription drug monitoring programs to support clinical decision making and prevent the abuse and diversion of controlled substances.

The First Responders Partnerships category is to support multidisciplinary opioid response partnerships that include, at a minimum, a law enforcement/first responder component. Subcategory 1a supports partnerships that focus primarily on law enforcement/first responder and behavioral health and/or public health partnerships. Subcategory 1b supports partnerships that focus not only on law enforcement/first responders and behavioral health, but also on victim services and child welfare.

Multiple departments within the Makah Tribal Organization have developed the concept of a “Healing Together House” (HTH). The HTH project will support a Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program as an alternative to the judicial system, addressing those who cycle in and out of the system with no resolution to their true underlying needs. It will develop a drop-in house to provide services such as a 24-hour safe place, recovery coaching, and a space to share meals and provide education with a community.

CA/NCF