The Administration for Children and Families has released a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL)highlighting actions that ACF funding recipients and partners can take to reduce overdose deaths in their communities.
Populations served by ACF-funded programs — including individuals who have experienced trafficking or other forms of violence, those who are unhoused, and young people and families involved in the child welfare system — are often at particularly high risk for substance use and overdose. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, raises the risk of overdose deaths. These deaths are often preventable when opioid overdose reversal medications, such as naloxone, are administered in time.
ACF grant recipients and partners can play a critical role in reducing overdose deaths by taking the following actions:
- Focus on measures to prevent drug use. Many ACF grants can be used to support work broadly in behavioral health, including training for staff to respond to overdose crises. ACF recently published a guide that provides information on the ACF grants that can be used to fund efforts focused on behavioral health.
- Ensure that community facilities, in particular those that shelter youth and families, have naloxone on site and are prepared to administer it as needed. Reach out to your local public health department or state behavioral health agency to understand the status of naloxone policies and regulations in your state. These entities can also be helpful in working with you to access naloxone.
- Direct staff and community members to trainings and other resources about overdose risk and naloxone.
The full text of the DCL and additional resources are available online.