The Young Adult Empowerment Collaborative of Western Massachusetts (YAEC of Western MA)

The OJJDP FY 2018 Opioid Affected Youth Initiative will fund sites to develop a data-driven coordinated response to identify and address challenges resulting from opioid abuse that are impacting youth and community safety. Category 1: Implementing Data-Driven Strategies and Programs Through Strategic Partnerships will support states, units of local government, and/or tribal governments to (1) develop a multidisciplinary task force with working groups to identify specific areas of concern; (2) collect and interpret data that will assist the task force in developing strategies and programming that will be used to better coordinate response efforts and resources; and (3) implement services that will address public safety concerns, intervention, prevention, and diversion services for children, youth, and families directly impacted by opioid abuse.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office will use funding to develop data-driven strategies and programs through strategic partnerships with leaders in Berkshire, Franklin/North Quabbin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties to create the Young Adult Empowerment Collaborative of Western Massachusetts. Building on the region’s culture of collaboration and with funding from OJJDP over a three-year period, this four-county effort will transform the systems serving youth to prevent opioid misuse, more strategically address the needs of young adults currently addicted to opioids, and increase health outcomes for youth and young adults as they transition into adulthood. CA/NCF