Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an agreement with Texas Harm Reduction Alliance to provide outreach, harm reduction education, and peer recovery support for a 12-month term beginning September 30, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $600,000, with one 12-month extension option in an amount not to exceed $600,000, for a total agreement amount not to exceed $1,200,000.
De
Lead Department
Austin Public Health.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $600,000 is available from the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Austin Public Health Department Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund. Funding for extension options is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
Prior Council Action:
June 16, 2022 - Council approved Resolution No. 20220616-53 declaring a public health crisis in the City related to drug overdoses and directing the City Manager to address the drug overdose crisis by investing in harm reduction strategies utilizing opioid settlement payments, coordinating with the Public Health Commission, Council, and Travis County Commissioners Court, create a data dashboard and public education campaign, and amend the City’s Legislative Program, on an 11-0 vote.
September 14, 2023 - Council approved Ordinance No. 20230914-72 to accept and appropriate $2,000,420 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for the Austin Travis County Substance Use and Misuse Expanded Programming for Increased Community Awareness and Capacity to Prevent Substance Use Disorder Morbidity and Mortality grant, on an 8-0 vote with Council Members Alison Alter, Harper-Madison, and Pool absent.
For More Information:
Adrienne Sturrup, Director, 512-972-5010; Laura LaFuente, Assistant Director, 512-972-5077; Akeshia Johnson Smothers, Social Services Agreements Administration Manager, 512-972-5567; Akeshia Johnson-Smothers, Social Services Agreement Administration Manager, 512-972-5567; Juanita Jackson, Business Process Consultant, 512-972-6163.
Additional Backup Information:
Austin Public Health has been awarded funding from a Congressional Directive Spending Project entitled “Austin Travis County Substance Use and Misuse Expanded Programming for Increased Community Awareness and Capacity to Prevent Substance Use Disorder Morbidity and Mortality.” This project will support the implementation of a public health prevention and education strategy to reduce deaths from opioid overdose. The strategy uses data to educate the community on a multi-component system, including:
1. substance use/misuse and the associated risk of drug use
2. high-risk populations within the community
3. substance use prevention programs at partner agencies that will support educational outreach, provide case coordination and the assessment for at-risk populations
4. linkage of clients with appropriate prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery programs
5. expansion of Narcan Risk Reduction education and training of first responders (EMS, Fire, Police, public health), health care professionals, Community Health Workers, people who use drugs, city and transit employees, and other community members
6. public education campaign
7. healthcare provider education.
Goals for this project are still being negotiated and may include:
• Increase community capacity to utilize peer recovery coaches for community intervention, outreach, and harm reduction, thereby increasing the number of peer recovery coaches at Texas Harm Reduction Alliance providing these services by six.
• Increase the number of peer support and outreach encounters for high-risk populations within the community, with a focus on individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Increase the number of linkages provided for clients who use drugs to appropriate prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery programs.
• Continue educational presentations on harm reduction, outreach encounters, and peer support to prevent opioid overdose among individuals who were formerly incarcerated.
• Build capacity for equitable service-delivery by increasing investments in peer recovery counseling and treatment services.
Funding in the amount of $600,000 is available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Funding in the amount of $600,000 for the renewal option is available from Opioid Abatement Settlement Funds the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Austin Public Health Department Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund. A City funding match is not required.