The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs announced the availability of $1.3 million in funding to expand drop-in center services for individuals with substance use disorder in areas of the commonwealth experiencing high overdose deaths, including Bucks, Allegheny, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
Drop-in centers provide a safe, judgement-free place to relax, receive daily essentials, and have linkage to necessary referral services. DDAP identified a need for SUD drop-in centers which provide harm reduction support services, connections to recovery and treatment services, specifically in these five counties, which have projected overdose deaths of at least 500 during the calendar year 2021 based on County Health Rankings.
“Everyone deserves access to basic human rights, such as healthcare, shelter and food. Drop-in centers not only offer these basic necessities, but also provide invaluable resources to individuals and families in need of life-saving harm reduction, treatment and recovery resources,” said DDAP Secretary Jen Smith. “We look forward to the positive impact this funding will have in some of the hardest hit areas of the commonwealth.”
Through this funding, DDAP will provide existing drop-in centers with the opportunity to expand their services and increase overdose prevention and community-driven harm reduction. The physical location of the existing drop-in centers can be permanently fixed or temporary, community-based pop-up locations. Eligible applicants can find the grant application and project summary here. Two to three grants will be awarded up to $650,000. Some examples of the services provided by drop-in centers include, but are not limited to:
– Harm reduction for substance use by incorporating overdose prevention and harm reduction efforts into existing services
– Addressing social determinants of health through the provision of daily essentials
– Linkage to care and case management systems
– Access to free healthcare, including wound care, Hepatitis C/HIV care, reproductive healthcare and food care
– Referrals to substance use disorder level of care assessments, treatment, including Medication Assisted Treatment, behavioral health resources, case management services, benefits services and legal services
– Survival resources, such as shelter and warmth or cooling
– Public restrooms, shower and laundry facilities
– Clothing and hygiene product distribution
– Mail services
– Professionally facilitated support groups which offer education, emotional and social support, practical help and more
– Training for personnel, particularly with regard to trauma-informed care
– Advocacy and other support services required to navigate complex issues impacting special populations
All applications must be submitted via email to [email protected] by Monday, Dec. 13 at noon. Applications will be competitively reviewed and scored based upon the applicant’s adherence to the funding announcement guidelines, and a timely submission to DDAP.
The grants are part of the $47.8 million in federal funding awarded to Pennsylvania through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s American Rescue Plan Act. Questions regarding the grants and the application process should be forwarded to the email address above.
