Through Intensive MAT Person Approach Community Treatment (IMPACT), Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. (CMHA) seeks to enhance and expand access to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), increase the number of individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) receiving MAT, and reduce opioid use for 400 adults who are homeless or at risk in greater New Britain and Bristol, CT. CMHA has more than 45 years’ experience providing substance abuse and behavioral health treatment services to central Connecticut’s residents, including 20 years delivering case management services to homeless/at risk individuals with co-occurring disorders, and more than 15 years providing MAT. The agency’s Community Support and Housing Programs, where IMPACT will be embedded, serve nearly 2,000 individuals annually, 60% of whom have an OUD.
Agency and community data show a need for targeted substance abuse treatment for homeless/at risk individuals with OUD. Individuals who are homeless experience higher rates of substance abuse and opioid overdose, and homeless adults are nine times more likely to die from an opioid overdose than their housed counterparts (Baggett, et al., 2013).
The rate of opioid overdose in the program’s proposed service area has risen 61% since 2015 (CT Office of Medical Examiner), and 48% of client deaths at CMHA last year were due to accidental overdose. Central Connecticut has seen a 44% increase in homelessness over the past year (CT CAN PIT Count, 2019-20); homelessness among CMHA’s clients also increased 24% over the past year.
IMPACT has the following goals: 1) Increase the number of homeless/at risk individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) receiving MAT through outreach and embedded community services at Friendship Service Center and Salvation Army in New Britain and St. Vincent DePaul shelter in Bristol, ensuring that 80% of program participants are receiving MAT before discharge; 2) Reduce OUD and overdose among 70% of homeless/at risk program participants through treatment and prevention education, including six annual Narcan distribution events at partner shelters and the distribution of 250 Narcan kits annually to the clients and the community; 3) Reduce the likelihood of chronic disease and premature death among individuals with OUD who are homeless/at risk by connecting 70% of program participants without a current provider to primary care each year; 4) Increase access to safe, stable, sober housing for individuals with OUD who are homeless/at risk to prevent further relapse through case management and connection to the state’s Housing Choice Voucher program; 5) Meet project goals/objectives by creating a project management structure.
IMPACT will serve a total of 400 unduplicated consumers (Year 1= 50; Year 2-3= 75; Year 4-5= 100).