Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a letter of support to the California Department of Health Care Services in support of the Opioid Crisis Grant to Aegis Treatment Centers.
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board authorize the Chair to sign a letter to the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to support a grant funding award to Aegis Treatment Centers (Aegis) for treatment of opioid use disorders.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On April 21, 2017, the Department of Health and Human Services allocated $44,749,771 to the State of California for the first year of the State Targeted Response (STR) to the Opioid Crisis Grant program administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
California will strategically focus on populations with limited Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), calling it the MAT Expansion Project. The goals of the Project are to implement the Hub and Spoke model in various areas throughout California. This will improve access to Narcotic Treatment Programs and medication Units in counties with the highest overdose rates.
The California Hub and Spoke System (H&SS) is built off of the strengths of the specialty methadone Narcotic Treatment Programs and the physicians who prescribe buprenorphine in office-based settings. “Hubs” serve as the regional consultants and subject matter experts on opioid dependence and treatment. The Hubs provide care to the clinically complex buprenorphine patients, manage inductions, and provide support to the Spokes. “Spokes” provide ongoing care for patients with milder addiction and stable patients referred from a Hub.
Aegis is applying to the grant as a Hub with the intent of having Spokes in South Lake Tahoe and Placerville. The H&SS supports the development of the substance use disorder continuum of care services in the County. This system addresses the opioid crisis by: 1) increasing access to treatment; 2) reducing unmet treatment need; and 3) reducing opioid overdose related deaths throughout the provision of prevention, treatment and recovery activities for opioid use disorder.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could decide not to support the grant funding award to Aegis.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one (1) original of the letter of support and mail to addressees.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) copy of signed letter of support to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Countywide Strategic Plan - Goal - Healthy Communities - Objective #4 - Promote community practices for a safe environment that supports positive physical and behavioral health and wellness among residents and visitors.
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., Director