Harris, PA - Today, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announced the availability of more than $26 million in funding to expand drop-in center services for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) across Pennsylvania. Funding for these grants is provided from the opioid settlement funding that was appropriated to DDAP by the General Assembly for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Drop-in centers provide a safe, judgment-free place for people to receive daily essentials, harm reduction services, engage with staff to learn about the possibility of recovery and treatment options, and, when ready, get connected to those services.
“This funding is designed to help organizations looking to expand their community-driven harm reduction support services to increase overdose prevention and a connection to SUD support services.” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “Drop-in centers provide a doorway for an individual’s recovery journey – we’re looking to make that doorway wider, and easier to walk into.”
Eligible applicants, including existing community organizations, Single County Authorities, and DDAP-licensed treatment providers, can find the grant application and project summary on the DDAP website. Applicants must have at least two years of experience, as of July 1, 2024, in providing SUD prevention, intervention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery support services, drop-in center services, or relevant services, and have the capacity to provide drop-in center services to individuals with opioid use disorder and other SUDs. In addition, these grants are also designed to support the delivery of services to address stimulant misuse and use disorders, including for cocaine and methamphetamine.
DDAP will award approximately 14 grants of up to $1,875,000 each. Some examples of services provided by drop-in centers include but are not limited to:
· Harm-reduction services to prevent overdoses and incorporating them into existing clinical services;
· Addressing social determinants of health through the provision of daily essentials such as food, clothing, showers, and hygiene supplies;
· Access to care and case management systems;
· Access to free healthcare including wound care, Hepatitis C/HIV testing, reproductive healthcare, and dental care;
· Referrals to SUD level of care assessments, treatment, including Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), behavior health resources, case management services, benefits services, and legal services;
· Survival resources such as shelter and warmth or cooling;
· Public restrooms and laundry facilities;
· Mail services;
· Professionally facilitated support groups which offer education, emotional and social support, practical help, and more; and
· Advocacy and other supportive services required to navigate complex issues impacting special populations.
DDAP is placing a focus on health equity as a part of this grant opportunity. Applicants must include a description of their current engagement with diverse populations including communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and those residing in rural and urban settings, and provide detailed information about how the project will engage and provide access to these diverse populations.
All applications must be submitted electronically by 12:00 PM on Friday, October 11, 2024. Applications will be competitively reviewed and scored based upon the applicant’s adherence to the funding announcement guidelines, and a timely submission to DDAP.
Questions regarding the grants and the application process should be forwarded to RA-DAGrantsMgmt@pa.gov.
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