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.

NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), in a coordinated effort with fellow government agencies, community partners, and Delaware residents, today announced the launch of the new, redesigned, and revamped HelpIsHereDE.com, available in English and Spanish.

Designed after months of listening sessions and focus groups, the new HelpIsHereDE.com is the state’s comprehensive resource for those seeking help for substance use disorder or mental illness, along with their family members, community organizations, and health care providers.

“Today, we are excited to share the revamped HelpIsHereDE.com website,” said Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, PhD, RN, and Chair of the Behavioral Health Consortium. “Delaware’s a small state, but that means we are uniquely poised to bring people together to get things done. The behavioral health and substance use crisis impacts all of us – regardless of Zip code, background, experiences – and we need to continue to address it with urgency and action. Connecting Delawareans to resources is critical and that is exactly what this redesigned website will do. I encourage you to take time to review this website and share the information with your audiences, members, friends, and loved ones. Together, we can provide hope and help to families and communities.”

This year, Delaware is yet again experiencing a high number of drug overdose deaths. As of Sept. 21, 2023, a total of 360 people have died from a suspected drug overdose.

“This new and improved website is the result of months of listening sessions with community members, support groups, and substance use professionals,” said DHSS Cabinet Secretary Josette Manning. “Through these focus-group sessions and one-on-one interviews, we heard what was needed, and we developed a website with those needs and concerns at the forefront.”

In addition to an easy-to-navigate design, the new website offers comprehensive resources for those seeking help for substance use disorder or mental illness — for themselves or those they love. This includes lists of treatment providers and facilities, with information on where to find an open bed nearby. There is also free and easy access to Narcan®, a lifesaving over-the-counter drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, along with training on how to use it.

“Creating this website was a joint effort,” Secretary Manning said. “And now we need a continued joint effort to ensure anyone in Delaware who is struggling with substance use disorder or mental illness, as well as their loved ones, is aware of this potentially lifesaving resource.”

Find updated data on suspected drug overdose deaths at My Healthy Community.

DOVER – Tuesday, leaders from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) joined partner community agencies for a community response briefing to provide the latest information regarding the state’s efforts to address disparities in outcomes related to Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder for minority and vulnerable populations.

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 championed by Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Chair of the Behavioral Health Consortium, PhD, RN.

“As Delaware combats the opioid epidemic, we must do so through an equity and inclusion lens so no one is left behind. A behavioral health system that works for everyone prioritizes culturally competent treatment and services, accessible care that meets folks where they are, and holistic support that addresses the social determinants of health,” Lt. Governor Hall-Long said. “As part of the Behavioral Health Consortium, we’ve worked with countless community partners on the ground and I’m so appreciative of their tireless dedication to reaching residents at a critical time of need with services and support. This is difficult work, but it’s through these partnerships, in collaboration with state agency leaders, that we can truly stem the tide of this crisis.”

DSAMH Director Joanna Champney began the briefing and provided information on her office’s efforts to align its resources to support the communities that are increasingly affected by Substance Use Disorder after a 7% increase in drug deaths among Black and African Americans in Delaware last year. As part of the strategy to address the rising disparity, DSAMH announced awardees under a new health equity mini grant program. The grant program enables providers to develop strategies for engaging a more diverse consumer profile. Projects range from client outcome data analysis to conducting focus groups and adopting cultural and linguistic adjustments to behavioral health services.

Sequoia Rent, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Health Equity, Division of Public Health, highlighted the work of DPH’s mobile health units which help vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities access services. Several DPH offices, in partnership with community stakeholders, are also collaborating through a working group to create a statewide strategy to reduce overdose and drug-related harms. This harm reduction initiative is the support between prevention and treatment.

Sandra Baptiste, Executive Assistant Director, Love and Hope Rescue Mission, shared how her organization is conducting a community needs assessment to understand the Haitian Creole community’s specific needs and barriers to care to inform the development of culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and services. Love and Hope Rescue Mission is continuing its educational initiatives with focus group discussions, outreach efforts, and the distribution of essential resources like Narcan kits.

Dr. Keith Pettiford, New Castle County (DE) National Pan-Hellenic Council – President, shared that his organization has implemented and supported programs connecting with hundreds of community members of all ages. The Panhellenic Council is comprised of Black Fraternities and Sororities. Seminars, group sessions, community outreach and other activities by the Council brought forth significant opportunities to engage with individuals and families to understand their needs around substance use treatment and information on opioid use disorder.

Dr. Aisha Lord Ryan, MSPT, DPT, CMTPT, Owner and Director, ALL Therapy, spoke about how her physical therapy practice is using the funds to promote strategies for management of opioid misuse for vulnerable populations. Strategies will be implemented with existing patients and through community outreach.

Marco Brown, DSAMH Workforce Development and Education Unit Coordinator, discussed training that the state will offer to providers on how to minimize disparities in underserved populations and communities throughout the State by reducing cultural and linguistic barriers. The training will include access to an organizational self-assessment to help providers identify areas for improvement within their organization.

Ericka Taylor-Daniel, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, CARN-AP, A Peaceful Place Integrated Care, highlighted how her practice in Dover provides primary care, mental health care and substance use disorder treatment. Her office team is focused on creating a safe space for all patients, but particularly patients from racially diverse communities and patients who identify as LGTBQIA+, to receive medication for opiate use disorders.

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

“We recognize it is critical that we come together, with as many partners at the table as possible, to address the opioid epidemic and the concerning spike in opioid use and opioid related drug poisonings among Black and African Americans in Delaware,” Secretary Manning said. “Through the mini grants that have been awarded by the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, DHSS is making a strong statement that we are seeking to diversify and expand our partnerships. DHSS looks forward to working with our health equity grantees to better understand how we can improve service delivery to communities of color.”

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.