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Opioid Task Force

Together, we can tackle the serious problem of heroin and prescription drug addiction in Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region of Massachusetts.

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About

The Community Opportunity, Network, Navigation, Exploration, and Connection Team (CONNECT) program is the first 24/7 rapid response team, to respond to fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses and those at high risk of overdose, including their children, in our rural 30-town region.

CONNECT Hubs

As Franklin County and North Quabbin span nearly 1,000 square miles, CONNECT has four hubs located in the 30-town region. The initiative utilizes an adaptation of the evidence-based Vermont Hub-and-Spoke Model of Care to implement the post-overdose outreach initiative in our rural region. This ensures rapid response times and referrals to appropriate services, which can vary by geography.

CONNECT-WEST

Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Hawley, Heath, Monroe, Rowe, Shelburne

CONNECT-NORTH/CENTRAL

Bernardston, Gill, Greenfield, Leyden, Montague, Northfield

CONNECT-SOUTH

Conway, Deerfield, Leverett, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Whately

CONNECT-EAST (NORTH QUABBIN)

Athol, Erving, Orange, New Salem, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Warwick, Wendell

CONNECT is implementing 7 goals during the three-year grant period:

CONNECT GOALS

Community, Opportunity, Network, Navigation, Exploration, and Connection Team

GOAL ONE

Provide real-time 24/7 assistance to individuals who survived or witnessed an opioid overdose (e.g. family, community members)

GOAL TWO

Make in-person follow-up visits, within 72 hours, to individuals who survived or witnessed an opioid overdose to  assess health and social needs

GOAL THREE

Deliver comprehensive evidence-based care (e.g. case  management, peer support, trauma-informed practices) to connect individuals to  pharmacotherapy (e.g. methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone), community-based services and  recovery supports

GOAL FOUR

Use “warm handoffs” to ensure opioid overdose survivors and witnesses  navigate care across systems

GOAL FIVE

Expand naloxone availability and appropriate use by first responders and community bystanders focusing on naloxone deserts

GOAL SIX

Establish a database to  track CONNECT participants for care coordination and continuous quality improvement

GOAL SEVEN

Conduct trainings on protections for “Good Samaritans” (e.g. those who assist during an opioid  overdose) and establish safety protocols on fentanyl and other licit/illicit opioids exposure.

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Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region

Franklin County Justice Center, 43 Hope Street Room 1705, Greenfield, MA 01301

info@opioidtaskforce.org · 413-775-7475

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