Friday, May 10, 2024
5/10/2024
The Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) proposes to address gaps in prevention, treatment and recovery services for opiate use disorders (OUD) through expansion of medication-assisted treatment (MAT); crisis and emergency services; naloxone distribution; residential treatment; sober living; peer supports; media campaigns; jail-based MAT and coordination with the criminal justice system. OBH estimates that nearly 44,000 individuals over the age of 18 are in need of treatment for OUD in Colorado, and existing services are unable to meet this need. This project will focus on these high-need populations, who face significant barriers: 1) uninsured/underinsured persons seeking MAT; 2) family members and children of individuals with OUD; 3) persons reentering the community from incarceration; 4) persons who interact with the emergency departments and the state crisis services; 5) persons with OUD who have infections from injecting drugs; and 6) high-utilizers of the criminal justice or emergency department services with unstable housing. Treatment data show the populations of focus are most likely to be 25-44, with males having a higher prevalence of heroin and no gender gap for prescription misuse. Less than 4% identify as LGBT, approximately 80% are White, and Hispanic populations represent 38% of the underinsured. Rural areas have the greatest gaps in care, especially west of the Rocky Mountains, while urban ares have the highest population in need of services. Identified gaps include access to affordable MAT and residential treatment, knowledge of naloxone and other resources to prevent overdose, connection to treatment following crisis, lack of family resources, gaps between the justice system and substance use disorder treatment, and access in tribal communities. Evidence-based strategies for addressing gaps include MAT funding for low-income uninsured patients; trainings for hospitalists, substance use providers, law enforcement, and tribal providers; prevention counseling for families; expanded capacity of crisis services; and a communications plan to reduce stigma. Project goals include prevention of OUD and overdose death; building recovery capital and support recovery services, support treatment access and services for people with OUD and or stimulant use disorder; and Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) data collection and analysis to continue to improve the state systems. Outcome data include number of people receiving family resources, treatment, residential and recovery services, number of naloxone kits distributed, rates of opioid use and related deaths, and number of GPRAs linked to MAT. Over two years, grant activity goals will be to provide referral, family, prevention, treatment and recovery services for 4,800 individuals in Year 1 and 5,018 in Year 2, while also screening 4,800 people for HIV and viral hepatitis in each year of the grant. All together Colorado plans to serve 19,418 individuals across the life of the grant.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
