DOVER – Leaders from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), along with Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and partners from Brandywine Counseling and Community Services, announced the placement of five harm reduction vending machines across the state at a community briefing on Wednesday.

The items expected to be available in the vending machines include Naloxone kits, Xylazine test strips, Deterra bags, wound care kits, items to help with physical and dental hygiene, and other self-care tools.

The vending machines will be placed at four Brandywine Counseling locations, as well as the Georgetown Pallet Village.

Brandywine Counseling Locations:

• 2713 Lancaster Ave, Wilmington, DE 19805
• 24 Brookhill Drive, Newark, DE 19702
• 698 S. Bay Road Dover, DE 19901
• 769 E. Masten Circle, Milford, DE 19963

Pallet Village:

• Springboard Pallet Village, 411 Kimmey Street, Georgetown, DE 19947

The vending machines can be accessed free of charge, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Whether it’s 12 p.m. or 3 a.m., these new vending machine sites are essential to removing the stigma around receiving critical, lifesaving supplies,” said Lt. Gov. Hall-Long, PhD, RN, and Chair of the Behavioral Health Consortium. “These are important tools in the toolkit to save lives and meet folks where they are. Substance use disorder is a disease. I’m so proud of Delaware for modeling the way we should treat our residents with respect and dignity, and ensure their success in all aspects of life.

DHSS’ Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) will routinely stock the machines with Naloxone kits and testing strips. DSAMH is able to accept donations from the public for several items such as wound care kits, travel-sized hygiene items, dental hygiene items, safe sex items, pregnancy kits, and at-home test kits for HIV and Hepatitis C and B. Those interested in donating can contact DSAMH Harm Reduction Coordinator Rebecca Urey at Rebecca.Urey@delaware.gov.

“Our new harm reduction vending machines ensure that people have free, confidential, 24-hour access to Naloxone,” said DSAMH Director Joanna Champney. “The installation of these machines is a critical contribution to our ongoing efforts to save lives and will empower Delawareans with substance use disorder to have the resources that they need.”

To help address behavioral health needs of Delawareans, DHSS has several ways for individuals or their family members to connect:

• Call the 24/7 Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE or 1-833-946-7333 – a single point of contact in which callers can connect to a variety of resources and information, including support from clinicians and peer specialists plus crisis assistance.
• Stop by one of DHSS’ Bridge Clinics for an in-person assessment.
• Visit TreatmentConnection.com to find out which treatment providers are located near you.
• Visit HelpIsHereDE.com, DHSS’ one-stop website where Delawareans can search for treatment services and resources in Delaware or nearby states.
• Call 988 if the individual is in crisis and needs immediate support.
• Call 911 if someone has overdosed and needs emergency medical attention.
• Learn where to find Narcan training, get the medication through the mail, and download the OpiRescueDE App here.

DOVER – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and a coalition of partners will elevate awareness about Delaware 988 — the state’s suicide and crisis lifeline — and foster a supportive community environment for mental health during September, National Suicide Prevention Month.

DHSS has organized a Week of Action as part of National Suicide Awareness Month, during which organizations across Delaware will hold events aimed at emphasizing the importance of seeking emotional distress support for themselves or someone they care about. Events include community events, such as information sessions, walks/runs, webinars, and high-traffic canvassing. These activities will focus on educating residents about recognizing signs of emotional distress and utilizing 988. The 988 Week of Action will initiate with the newly established ‘988 Day,’ Sunday, Sept. 8, and will conclude on Sept. 14, 2024.

Leaders will ask for a statewide moment of silence at 8 a.m. on Sept. 8, symbolizing 9-8-8, to recognize Delawareans who have been affected by suicide, whether in experiencing loss or survival.

“This moment of silence is a powerful reminder of the lives lost and the strength of those who have survived,” said DHSS Secretary Josette Manning. “We invite all Delawareans to participate, reflect, and commit to supporting one another.”

Then at 8 p.m. Delawareans can participate in a moment of action, to speak up or reach out to someone you care about. Taking part in 988 Day and 988 Week of Action in Delaware encourages individuals to engage in discussions with friends and loved ones about mental health, learn about the signs of emotional distress, and familiarize themselves with the resources available through 988 and throughout Delaware.

“Our call to action in Delaware this September is simple: ‘SPEAK UP.’ Whether it’s reaching out to a friend or learning more about available resources, every action counts in making a difference,” said Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Director Joanna Champney. “We want to empower individuals to take proactive steps toward mental health support. There’s no judgment – just help.”

Supporting 988 Day and 988 Week of Action, Delawareans will further be made aware of 988 services and resources through an advertising campaign launching during the Week of Action across social media and online across the state.

Delawareans now have emotional distress support at their fingertips with 988. Individuals who are struggling with their mental health or substance use or know someone who is should call or text 988, or chat 988lifeline.org/chat for a compassionate crisis counselor. Local counselors are available 24/7, and all contacts are free, confidential, and anonymous.

For more information about Delaware 988, please visit https://de.gov/988.

NEW CASTLE (April 22, 2024) – Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long and leaders from the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), along with partner community agencies, led a community response briefing on Monday to provide the latest outcome data and other information regarding the State’s efforts to support individuals struggling with substance use disorder in Delaware.

Organized by DHSS’ Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH), these quarterly briefings aim to inform the public about the State’s ongoing work to reduce overdoses and respond to the opioid epidemic.

The event was opened by Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, who highlighted her commitment to supporting people in Delaware struggling with substance use disorder and the providers who are the helpers in Delaware.

“As a public health nurse, I’m optimistic our efforts are having an impact on the opioid crisis here in Delaware. But the fact still remains that we have lost far too many Delawareans.” said Lt. Gov. Hall-Long, PhD, RN, research scientist and Chair of the Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium. “We’ve thrown the kitchen sink at this issue – and we are not stopping anytime soon. It has taken an all-hands-on-deck approach to get this far. As we continue forward, I want to thank the many grassroots advocates, nonprofits, state and local government agencies, our General Assembly, and especially, family members, for leaning in and collaborating on how to provide the best treatment, prevention, and recovery models for Delawareans.”

DSAMH Director Joanna Champney followed the Lt. Governor and provided information on her office’s efforts to combat overdose fatalities and the harmful impacts of substance use disorder in the community.

“We will not rest until drug poisoning and overdose deaths in our state are at zero, but we are grateful for the efforts of all of our partners to continue flattening the curve,” said Director Champney. “We will continue to focus on our strategies of reducing the negative stigma of addiction, screening individuals for opioid use disorder, offering information to healthcare providers about how to use medication to treat opioid use disorder, blanketing the state with the overdose reversal medication, targeting efforts to reach specific consumer groups, and focusing on Delaware’s addiction treatment infrastructure.”

John Evans, Director of the Division of Forensic Science, spoke about the variety of substances leading to overdose fatalities and broke down some data that demonstrated usage in the state.

Caroline Judd, MPH, Substance Use Disorder Epidemiologist with the Division of Public Health, shared data from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) as well as other key data points related to non-fatal overdose. The links below will provide access to the full sets of data provided by Caroline Judd during the press briefing:

State Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths, Delaware, 2018 to 2022 (arcgis.com)

Non-Fatal Emergency Visits, Delaware, 2019 to 2024 (arcgis.com)

Kim Blanch, BSN, RN, Director of Community Outreach at Beebe Healthcare, and Arlene Wood, LPCHM, LCPC, NCC, Beebe Healthcare Behavioral Health Grant Director, provided detailed insight from the provider perspective of their community work. Beebe Healthcare also brought their mobile outreach vehicle and provided tours for the public in attendance to see how they perform their work in the community.

Dr. Robert Rosenbaum, M.D., FACEP, FAEMS/State Medical Director for Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness at the Division of Public Health, spoke about the use of Buprenorphine by EMS response teams as a way to save lives and serve the public.

To help address behavioral health needs of Delawareans, DHSS has several ways for individuals or their family members to connect:

• Call the 24/7 Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE or 1-833-946-7333 – a single point of contact in which callers can connect to a variety of resources and information, including support from clinicians and peer specialists plus crisis assistance.
• Stop by one of DHSS’ Bridge Clinics for an in-person assessment.
• Visit TreatmentConnection.com to find out which treatment providers are located near you.
• Visit HelpIsHereDE.com, DHSS’ one-stop website where Delawareans can search for treatment services and resources in Delaware or nearby states.
• Call 988 if the individual is in crisis and needs immediate support.
• Call 911 if someone has overdosed and needs emergency medical attention.
• Learn where to find Narcan training, get the medication through the mail, and download the OpiRescueDE App here.

NEW CASTLE (January 22, 2024) – Today, Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long and leaders from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) along with partner community agencies led a community response briefing to provide the latest information regarding the state’s efforts to support individuals facing homelessness and housing instability related to substance use disorder.

Organized by the DHSS Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH), these quarterly briefings aim to inform the public about the State’s ongoing work to reduce overdoses and respond to the opioid epidemic.

The event was opened by Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Chair of the Behavioral Health Consortium, PhD, RN.

“Today, the unfortunate reality is that too many people who are unsheltered and living in encampments, on the street or in cars or motels, are also grappling with substance use disorder or behavioral health challenges. We must develop public policies to support social services and health agencies to meet Delaware’s families where they are. Traditional approaches to service delivery do not always work. If we are going to get real results, we need to meet people where they are and intervene there,” said Lt. Governor Hall-Long. “I’ve been there on the street, working directly with people looking for shelter, and I see them struggling with addiction and other health concerns. We have to continue meeting people directly where they are and provide them with hope, with the tools and services they need to get back on their feet. I’m proud of the innovative work DSAMH and their partners have done and will continue to support them in any way possible while exploring new pathways for safe, secure housing with access to services.”

DSAMH Director Joanna Champney followed the Lt. Governor and presented information about DSAMH’s Recovery Support Scholarships, supported by the Behavioral Health Consortium and available to addiction treatment providers so they can provide short term emergency housing resources to people in their substance use treatment programs. This includes a seven day hotel stay, one-time one-month rental assistance, one-time security deposit, or one month of Oxford House rent.

“Reports from our behavioral health treatment providers indicate that in Delaware, 7% of people starting addiction treatment and 13% starting mental health programs are homeless,” Champney said. “When their housing is unstable, we worry very much that they may disengage from treatment. That’s why we partner with our addiction treatment providers to offer housing support to people already in treatment who are facing an emergency, and it’s why we administer and fund outreach programs for people who aren’t yet engaged in treatment. Our staff and partners try to build relationships and trust with people in the tent cities or who are living on the street. We meet some of their basic needs first. If and when they are ready, we help them connect to services.”

Karen Records, Chief of Social Determinants at DSAMH, provided an overview of Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) programs. This program served 675 persons this past grant year – 263 were enrolled through street outreach and 412 were enrolled through supportive service in-reach activities. Clients received connection including but not limited to temporary and permanent housing, substance use treatment, mental health treatment, income assistance, and healthcare insurance access.

Staff from one of Delaware’s service providers, Horizon House, Denise Rodriguez, Program Director, and Kenneth Fassett, Outreach Coordinator, spoke about their services and outcomes of their efforts.

Rachel Stucker, Executive Director for the Housing Alliance Delaware, shared the state’s upcoming efforts regarding the annual Point in Time (PIT) count and information related to serving on Continuum of Care teams.

The event was championed by Eugene R. Young, Jr., Director, Delaware State Housing Authority.

“The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) is proud to work alongside our state agency partners and local nonprofits to address substance abuse in our community,” Young said. “Now more than ever, we need community involvement. From joining the Point In Time count to donating items for hygiene kits or advocating for more recovery homes throughout the state, we all have an opportunity to help Delawareans on the road to a new life.”

Sharon Bell, DSAMH Community Outreach Manager, spoke about the work of her team completing outreach efforts to homeless encampments, making contact with 395 unhoused individuals in 2023. Bell said for donations or inquiries to contact her at Sharon.bell@delaware.gov or by telephone at 302-353-6492. Donations also are accepted at 203 Mitchell Lane in the Springer Building of Herman Holloway Campus in New Castle on Wednesdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Josette Manning, DHSS Cabinet Secretary closed the program with a call to action.

“Addiction can destabilize people in many ways, but one of the most damaging and cyclical aspects is that addiction contributes to homelessness, and homelessness further exacerbates addiction and mental health problems,” Secretary Manning said. “DHSS is committed to helping people access opportunities to escape this cycle. Our programs and partners continue regularly seeking out unhoused people to offer help. Through our outreach, connections to treatment, and temporary emergency housing resources, we offer people a compassionate opportunity to get help.”

To help address behavioral health needs of Delawareans, DHSS has several ways for individuals or their family members to connect:

• Call the 24/7 Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE or 1-833-946-7333 – a single point of contact in which callers can connect to a variety of resources and information, including support from clinicians and peer specialists plus crisis assistance.
• Stop by one of DHSS’ Bridge Clinics for an in-person assessment.
• Visit TreatmentConnection.com to find out which treatment providers are located near you.
• Visit HelpIsHereDE.com, DHSS’ one-stop website where Delawareans can search for treatment services and resources in Delaware or nearby states.
• Call 988 if the individual is in crisis and needs immediate support.
• Call 911 if someone has overdosed and needs emergency medical attention.
• Learn where to find Narcan training, get the medication through the mail, and download the OpiRescueDE App here.

NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) announces significant advancement in capabilities for the Delaware Treatment and Referral Network (DTRN) with the launch of DTRN360, a Behavioral Health Coordination platform.

DTRN360 is designed to bridge the gaps experienced by providers in caring for Delaware residents suffering from mental health and substance use disorders within the State. The system will connect community-based providers, supports systems, and behavioral health providers within one workflow. Two organizations were chosen to build out the care coordination solution: Bamboo Health, for the single integrated platform, and FindHelp for social determinants of health (SDOH) referrals, which will be accessible within the integrated DTRN360 digital platform.

Providers have often lacked a consistent coordination channel, which can result in a fragmented approach to patient care. As a result, patients often face excessive wait times to treatment, missed opportunities for treatment, and increased risk of overdoes or death from untreated substance use and mental health disorders. DTRN360 will facilitate a more streamlined care coordination pathway among providers involved in a client’s care journey.

SDOH referrals are vital because health is influenced by a wide range of social and economic factors such as transportation, housing, and food security, among many others. By addressing these determinants by providing referrals to organizations that provide help, healthcare systems can provide more holistic care, reduce disparities, and improve overall outcomes for individuals and communities.

As part of the DTRN360’s new workflow, clinicians using the platform can now see real-time patient data at the point of care. A few of the key enhancements of the DTRN360 platform is that multiple providers who are working with a single client will be able to request that a patient grant access for providers to share clinical assessment information about the patient, receive alerts as the patient moves through the system of care for treatment, and refer the patient to services like housing all activities that help to streamline the continuity of care. Participating providers will also receive risk scores, insights, messaging tools, and comprehensive data reporting.

“At DSAMH, one of our key priorities is ensuring individuals suffering from addiction or a mental health crisis have access to the support they need when they need it,” said DSAMH Director Joanna Champney. “DTRN360 will give our health care providers across the state more tools to deliver integrated care to their patients and support their patients’ behavioral health needs. We also hope this tool will enhance the patient experience, because patients can opt to share certain assessments and records virtually with providers through the digital waiver process.”

DSAMH launched DTRN, an eReferral platform solution, in October 2018 to improve outcomes for Delawareans suffering from a substance abuse disorder. The DTRN system identifies and tracks behavioral health and community resources throughout the state, giving providers immediate visibility into resource availability across a shared network. This makes it easier to get people the help they need when they need it.

DTRN reached 100k referrals in December 2020 and has expanded to connect clients with other important resources like housing, employment, and education.

During its first year, DTRN improved response rates to referral requests, with 65% of receiving organizations acknowledging a client referral within 30 minutes, an increase of 25% since the program’s inception a year prior. This means that referring providers are ensured that their requests are answered in a timely fashion in placing clients with care.

DTRN360 represents the next phase in ensuring that individuals in Delaware receive the care and support they need promptly and efficiently. By addressing SDOH and enhancing coordination among all healthcare providers caring for Behavioral Health disorders, DTRN360 is poised to usher in a new era of healthcare excellence for the State.