Tuesday, February 4, 2025
2/4/2025
The goals of the New Jersey Department of Human Services' Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services' (DMHAS) New Jersey State Opioid Response (NJ-SOR) project is to: 1) Increase access to FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD); 2) Support the continuum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services for opioid use disorder (OUD) and concurrent substance use disorders (SUDs); 3) Support the continuum of care for stimulant misuse and use disorders; 4) Reduce unmet treatment need; and 5) Reduce opioid-related overdose deaths. DMHAS will continue to fund a variety of programs that were initiated under the previous SOR grants and implement new services to meet these goals. The community of focus for the NJ SOR project are individuals with, or at risk for, opioid use and/or stimulant use disorder throughout the state. DMHAS is targeting the entire state based on its needs assessment. Virtually every indicator, from drug arrests to overdoses to treatment figures, show that the opioid crisis has a firm grip on NJ. NJ-SOR services include the Expanded Hours/Same Day Service Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) that provide same-day access to low barrier /on demand MOUD, the Mobile MOUD program that facilitates low induction medication in communities with low access to MOUD and high rates of homelessness, and the Low Threshold Buprenorphine Induction initiative that implements "low threshold" buprenorphine induction and stabilization programs at statewide harm reduction centers. Additionally, a program will continue to be funded to enhance overall recovery in stimulant use disorders utilizing contingency management. Training opportunities will continue for OUD treatment professionals and recovery service workers and a new training initiative for school staff in substance misuse prevention will be implemented. Prevention efforts will continue to include free naloxone kits that may be accessed through a portal developed for use by community groups, and through a network of pharmacies for distribution through the Naloxone 365 Pharmacy program. The Opioid Overdose Recovery Program and Public Education for Older Adults prevention programs will also be continued. Recovery activities include the continuation of the Community Peer Recovery and Family Support Centers; and the Support Team for Addiction Recovery and the Nurse Care Manager initiatives that provide case management and support services for individuals with an OUD. SOR will provide additional support for the three Recovery High Schools in NJ and fund a transportation reimbursement program for individuals to access services. New programming that will be funded by SOR include an integrated care program to promote the integration and co-location of physical and behavioral health care to improve wellness and physical health and a harm reduction initiative that will include education and supplies distribution. SOR will also fund new public information campaigns to reduce stigma surrounding SUD diagnoses and treatment and strategic messaging on consequences of opioid and stimulant misuse and counterfeit fentanyl pills targeted to youth and new prevention programs targeted to schools. Anticipated outcomes of the NJ-SOR include: reduction/abstinence from drugs and alcohol, increase in employment, reduced criminal justice involvement, increased social connectedness, and increased percentage of individuals completing treatment at the recommended level of care. Additional outcomes include: reducing opioid overdoses, increasing retention in treatment, reducing the length of time to relapse and prolonging recovery, and increasing number of individuals receiving MOUD. It is estimated that NJ-SOR will serve 201,347 individuals during the first year and 599,393 individuals over the three-year project.
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).