Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize a contract with Equitas Health to continue a partnership to support the community-wide comprehensive harm reduction program called Safe Point, in an amount not to exceed $350,000.00 for a period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
Harm reduction services provided by Equitas Health allow clients who are at high-risk of accidental overdose death to access the lifesaving drug, Naloxone, and receive risk reduction counseling, referrals to Alcohol & Drug treatment, and overdose prevention education. In 2021, Safe Point provided services to 4,905 individual clients and had a total of 8,653 visits. Clients who participate in the Safe Point program are provided access to many types of care that address both their active substance use disorder, as well as other social determinants of health. Throughout 2021, Safe Point has provided 619 referrals for Alcohol and Drug Treatment, 193 linkages to medical care, provided overdose prevention education to 4,374 clients, and 189 referrals for behavioral or mental healthcare services.
Emergency action is requested for this contract modification in order to ensure Columbus has a harm reduction program to continue to save lives.
FISCAL IMPACT: This Ordinance is contingent on the passage of the annual appropriation ordinance for the Health Special Revenue Fund, Ord. No. 2742-2021, which will provide funding for this contract.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Equitas Health to continue to provide a harm reduction program, called Safe Point, from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022; to authorize the expenditure of $350,000.00 from the Health Special Revenue Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($350,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Board of Health has a need to continue to provide support and expand a community-wide comprehensive harm reduction program, Safe Point; and
WHEREAS, Equitas Health has the ne...
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