Monday, February 6, 2023
2/6/2023
University of Louisiana at Monroe Harm Reduction Education and Referral for Opioid Overdose Reversal (ULM H.E.R.O) Training Program aims to provided first responders and key community organizations evidence-based educational programs on opioid reversal medications to reduce opioid overdose rates and increase referrals to treatment recovery centers in the greater Orleans Parish and Ouachita Parish. Both Parishes have and are surrounded by highly underserved populations that are high in medical need with poor access to healthcare. Our first objective is the creation of an adaptable risk-reduction curriculum tailored to different types of first responders that meet the unique needs of the state of Louisiana. This includes addressing stigma regarding opioid use, review of Louisiana legislation, how to use and teach how to use opioid reversal medications, and test strips, and building a network between first responders and local treatment/recover centers in the area. Our second objective is to educate at least 2,000 first responders by September 30th, 2026. And, our third objective for this goal is to increase our collaborations with local treatment and recovery centers by 80%. Our secondary goal is to implement evidence based educational programs for community first responders (such as people who use drugs or people who may witness and respond to an overdose) with the objective of hosting 50 community events providing risk reduction education directly in underserved communities. And finally, our tertiary goal is to effectively educate and train student first responders in healthcare programs to expand our reach into communities of need. We selected this unique population because students training in healthcare in our state typically stay within our state and come from rural, underserved parishes. Our objective is to provide harm reduction education to at least 800 first responders-in-training by September 30, 2026. Faculty at the ULM College of Pharmacy and Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Louisiana Campus are highly trained individuals in education who are passionate about the opioid epidemic and are eager to bring awareness to underserved communities. The number of people served will be 500 people the first year, 750 people the second and third years, and 1000 people the fourth year.
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).
