Local community groups treating persons with addictions will be busy pitching grant proposal strategies to the Feds to deal with the opioid crisis.
This as the Federal government has budgeted some $116 million dollars for 2021 to manage the overdose crisis that deepened in many jurisdictions over the COVID months.
Residents In Recovery Executive Director Tyler Lorenz says the invitation is a perfect fit for their organization, which deals with filling the gaps. He cites the example of the gap between incarceration and the wait time before someone gets into residential treatment.
“So really bridging that gap with a program like we do here in Lloyd, with that pretreatment sober living is really what that proposal is looking for. How are we providing wrap around and navigational support and that people are getting into the right residential treatment program and not the first available funded program.”
Lorenz confidently submits that what they do at Residents In Recovery everyday is what the Feds are looking for. Their proposal could target the prevention side, as well as family recovery and child apprehension diversion at the hospital when babies are born with addictions.
Lorenz sees such support is needed especially for Indigenous communities, to support those mothers from the beginning.
As community groups in the addictions treatment and recovery sector warm up their keyboards with grant writing savvy, the Thorpe Recovery Centre will also be submitting their mainstay supports to get the Federal dollars.
Development Coordinator Sara Fox says TRC is excited to see Federal action in reducing the harms of the opioid epidemic. Fox indicated that they are looking at expanding their family programming to better integrate their residential treatment and children’s programs, with family intensive wrap around support.
Fox says TRC is running at capacity in their building and would welcome options to deepen family supports.
“We can’t host it on site anymore. So [we are] looking for ways that we can enhance that program, integrate the individuals that are here for programming with their families and create a long lasting recovery plan for the whole family.”
The national call follows Thursday’s announcement from Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu for proposals from community groups to tackle the opioid crisis.
Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) is seeking applications for projects that can help to prevent, treat or reduce the harms associated with opioids, stimulants, alcohol, prescription drugs, and other potentially harmful substances.