Growing LEAD: Improve and Expand Service in Albany County

The Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) was developed as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) legislation. COSSAP’s purpose is to provide financial and technical assistance to states, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments to develop, implement, or expand comprehensive efforts to identify, respond to, treat, and support those impacted by illicit opioids, stimulants, and other drugs of abuse.

The objective of Category 1 is to encourage and support the development of comprehensive, locally driven responses to opioids, stimulants, and other substances that expand access to supervision, treatment, and recovery support services across the criminal justice system; support law enforcement and other first responder diversion programs for nonviolent drug offenders; promote education and prevention activities; and address the needs of children impacted by substance abuse.

The Growing LEAD: Increasing Operational Capacity to Improve and Expand Service in Albany County program will be increased with the addition of case managers to grow caseload capacity by 200 percent, an increase of approximately 50 new clients annually. Additionally, a full-time, dedicated project director and community engagement and outreach coordinator will be hired to improve coordination between partners and the public, increase public awareness of LEAD, and develop policies and procedures to better serve LEAD communities. This project serves the city of Albany, with a population of over 97,000. The project includes partnerships between Albany County Executive Office, District Attorney’s Office, sheriff, mayor of Albany, City of Albany Police Department, Center for Law and Justice, and Central Avenue Business Improvement District.

CA/NCF