HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has announced a substantial $9 million funding initiative aimed at expanding and enhancing recovery support services for individuals battling opioid use disorder (OUD) and other substance use disorders (SUD). This funding is a cornerstone of the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to strengthening the state’s SUD treatment framework, reflecting over $100 million in investments since Governor Josh Shapiro took office.
DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones emphasized the administration’s dedication to providing accessible community-based recovery supports. “The Shapiro Administration recognizes that a vital part of recovery for individuals with OUD is having accessible supports within their community,” she stated, highlighting the initiative’s focus on improving service delivery for those initiating or maintaining their recovery journey.
Recovery support services, integral to the recovery process, offer non-clinical assistance that equips individuals with the necessary skills and resources for long-term recovery. These services encompass care coordination, recovery coaching, spiritual counseling, group support, job training, transportation, and access to recovery housing. Notably, these programs are designed to be person-centered and self-directed, allowing individuals to select their service providers.
The funding will be distributed through approximately six grants, each up to $1.5 million. Eligible applicants must demonstrate at least two years of experience in providing recovery support services by July 1, 2024, and must show the capacity to serve individuals recovering from OUD and other concurrent SUDs.
Applicants are required to submit detailed plans outlining how they will deliver recovery support services. Key components include:
- Peer-to-peer support and individual/group meetings offering personalized guidance.
- Peer-led educational workshops and events focusing on addiction, recovery, life, and job skills.
- Educational events promoting recovery health and wellness, culturally based recovery practices, and social inclusion activities.
- Telephonic recovery support to maintain engagement and commitment to recovery.
- Recovery planning assistance for managing recovery.
- Support groups tailored to specific populations, such as veterans and youth.
A critical aspect of this funding opportunity is its emphasis on health equity. Grants will be strategically allocated based on data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s 2022 overdose death statistics. Two grantees will be selected from Philadelphia, two from Allegheny County, and two from the remaining counties with higher-than-average crude death rates.
This funding is supported by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response (SOR) IV grant program, which aims to address unmet treatment needs and reduce opioid-related overdose deaths across the nation.
Interested applicants must submit their applications electronically by noon on Friday, November 15, 2024. Applications will undergo a competitive review process, evaluated based on adherence to the funding announcement guidelines and timeliness of submission to DDAP.
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