The purpose of this funding is to expand the reach of holistic harm reduction, medical, mental health and social services for people who use drugs with a focus on the Adolescent (12-17)/Young Adult (18- 24) and Veteran Priority Populations. Investments will be made to prioritize service delivery to individuals within populations that face higher overdose rates and poor health outcomes. This funding is offered to programs that currently serve one (1) or more of these Priority Populations and can demonstrate they will expand their services for people who use drugs within one (1) or more of these populations, as well as programs that already serve people who use drugs such as waivered Syringe Exchange Programs, Drug User Health Hubs and specialty clinics serving people who use drugs who can demonstrate that they can expand to serve one (1) or more of these Priority Populations. Applicants are expected to provide evidence-based harm reduction strategies including provision of harm reduction supplies and information, including but not limited to: naloxone, fentanyl and other drug test strips and other drug checking services, safer smoking supplies, safer snorting supplies, syringes and other safer injection supplies. In addition, to harm reduction supplies, funds from this procurement can be used for the provision of personal care kits (e.g., hygiene products, wound care supplies, seasonal clothing, and protective items, etc.) Overall program supplies needed to support a harm reduction program are allowable expenses on the budget.
