TAP OUD - Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence C5097: FY25 TA/SA/DV Services

ABSTRACT This project for Kentucky’s State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant will continue the strong State/University partnership and the Commonwealth’s strength to efficiently provide evidence-based practices using the TAP successful approach for counties with the highest Kentucky Overdose Index Score (2017). The project will co-locate 12 Targeted Assessment Specialists (Assessor) and 3 Field Supervisors (half time supervisor/half time Assessor), in Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) offices in state selected high-risk county. Each Assessor, selected by county representatives, will accept referrals from the Division of Family Support, Division of Protection & Permanency, and other county/community partners. The target population will be low-income parents with/or at-risk for opioid use disorder (OUD) and co-occurring disorders. Services provided by Assessors will include: intensive outreach with strengths- based engagement, comprehensive assessment, referral to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and other treatment services, pre-treatment, intensive case management, follow-up, and treatment support. Evidence-based approaches, including Motivational Interviewing and Strengths- Based Intensive Case Management will increase participant engagement, reduce barriers to treatment, and increase access to MAT and other community treatment services, as well as increase treatment retention. Assessors will provide pretreatment and ancillary services when needed. These services will include assistance with treatment payment, emergency and transitional housing, transportation, and child care. In addition, Assessors will provide, when requested, consultation and training to DCBS case managers and case workers to enhance professional skills related to OUD, increase effective, non- discriminatory responses to individuals with OUD, and increase county and community support for evidence-based OUD interventions and prevention efforts. This project incorporates the Targeted Assessment Program’s (TAP) proven approach using evidence-based practice for more than 18 years in Kentucky. TAP has continued as an effective and innovative collaboration between the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) and the University of Kentucky Center on Drug & Alcohol Research on behalf of some of Kentucky’s most vulnerable families. This project will assist Kentucky parents involved in public assistance and child welfare systems to overcome OUD including multiple barriers to self-sufficiency, safety, health and well-being, including other substance use disorders, mental health disorders, intimate partner violence, learning disabilities/deficits, and unmet basic needs.