Boston Opioid Affected Youth Initiative

The OJJDP FY 2019 Opioid Affected Youth Initiative(OAYI)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. The OAYI 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 Boston Public Health Commission will use a collaborative and data-driven approach to conduct a citywide assessment and strategic planning process. Funding will be used to develop a detailed plan to prevent and address the impact of opioid abuse for children, youth and families while enhancing public safety. The project will convene a task force with multi-disciplinary members, including community-based service providers. These providers will provide the full range of prevention, intervention, and treatment services for all types of opioids addiction for youth up to age 18. CA/NCF