Community Outreach Addictions Team

A Good Idea

Description

Community Outreach Addictions Team (COAT) is a 24-hour peer support program for community members experiencing an addictions crisis. The program is a joint initiative between the Wicomico County Health Department, Wicomico County State's Attorney's Office, Wicomico County Government, Salisbury City Government, Wicomico County Sheriff's Department, and numerous community partners including: health care entities, worship/community centers, and behavioral health services. The program aims to provide a smooth transition from crisis to treatment and recovery services within the community. Peer support specialists also have the ability to collaborate with local law enforcement to provide outreach in high utilization areas.

Goal / Mission

To reduce the number of heroin overdose deaths in the community and to provide immediate peer support to those in crisis.

Impact

COAT peers counselors are able to provide immediate response and support to help individuals achieve long-term recovery.

Results / Accomplishments

Since the program started, there have been no calls reported regarding overdose deaths. COAT peers counselors have supported over 130 individuals and community outreach has impacted over 600 people.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Wicomico County Health Department
Primary Contact
Tasha Jamison
108 E. Main Street
Salisbury, MD 21801
410-548-5179
tasha.jamison@maryland.gov
Topics
Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders
Organization(s)
Wicomico County Health Department
Date of implementation
6/6/2016
For more details
https://www.wicomicohealth.org/news.aspx?newsid=83...
Target Audience
Adults

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A Good Idea meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program funding source, program implementation steps and outcomes.
  2. The program evaluation is limited to descriptive measure(s) of success/accomplishment (i.e., program participation rates, number of services/education sessions/radio messages provided). Note: oftentimes, the program has been newly implemented and a program evaluation has not yet been conducted. Programs that have not yet been evaluated, but which show promise in improving health or quality of life, are classified as Good Ideas until an evaluation is conducted.