DCF’s Implementation of State Targeted Response Grant to Fight Opioid Epidemic Underway

The Florida Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health today announced an update to the implementation of the $27 million federal State Targeted Response the Opioid Crisis Grant. This follows Governor Rick Scott signing Executive Order 17-146 on May 3^rd, declaring a statewide Public Health Emergency and directing the immediate draw down of grant funds through the federal State Targeted Response the Opioid Crisis Grant.
“Following Governor Scott’s Executive Order, DCF staff have worked diligently to ensure this important funding is allocated to communities and services are available to individuals as soon as possible,” said DCF Secretary Mike Carroll. “We are hopeful that the services this grant will make available will save and change lives throughout the state, and that the programs it establishes over the next two years will help end the tragic opioid epidemic.”
More than $17 million of the State Targeted Response the Opioid Crisis Grant has been allocated to local communities to provide direct treatment and services to individuals with opioid use disorders. Nearly $3.8 million will go toward expanding Vivitrol treatment in local communities through the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association. A contract amendment is underway to expand this service that is currently provided by FADAA, including filling gaps throughout the state where there is greater need for Vivitrol treatment.
DCF is also in the process of purchasing the first batch of more than 3,600 Naloxone kits to distribute to local treatment centers statewide, as well as to organizations that have direct contact with individuals with opioid use disorders, to provide to people at risk of witnessing or experiencing an overdose. Throughout the next twelve months it is anticipated that more than 15,000 additional Naloxone kits will be purchased and distributed to local treatment centers.
The local grant allocations, which are directed through the Managing Entities, are determined based on each county’s assessed need. These local funds will be distributed monthly and will be used for medication-assisted treatment with methadone and buprenorphine. DCF will complete meetings with the seven Managing Entities this week to review grant implementation expectations. Based on Executive Order 17-146 and the initial distribution of funds to the Managing Entities, services to individuals will be available through local providers by June 1. More information on these Managing Entities and their allocation distribution in available in the table below.

Additionally, as part of the grant, behavioral health consultants and peer specialists will be hired to support all six DCF regions. Consultants will work directly with child protective investigators to support investigatory activity that relates to caregivers with opioid use disorders. Peer specialists will assist local providers with quality improvement initiatives related to developing a recovery-oriented system of care. The advertisements, available via jobs.myflorida.com, close this week.