Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Health & Human Services (HHS) Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and Dr. Frank Robinson joined with HHS Opioid Response Program Manager Justin Chellman and Deputy Public Health Commissioner Anne Kissel on Monday afternoon to announce the city’s Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund (ORRF) Grant Awardees.
Tapestry Health, Gandara Center, and New North Citizens Council were selected by the review committee for funding. The review committee was made up of community members, Dr. Frank Robinson, Deputy Commissioner Ann Kissel, and Opioid Program Coordinator Justin Chellman, who provided oversight.
The Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund (ORRF) was established in 2020 to receive and administer funds from certain legal settlements relating to allegations brought against companies in connection with the opioid crisis. Over the next 15 years, Springfield Department of Health and Human Services (SDHHS) will receive approximately $7,000,000 settlement funds to be used for substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery.
The goal of the city and SDHHS is to use Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund (ORRF) investments to improve pathways to treatment, care, and recovery services for People With Lived or Living Experiences (PWLLE) by building capacity of community-based organizations, particularly those based in communities that are historically underserved and have experienced a disproportionately high rate of opioid- related overdose deaths. ORRF investments will be used to level the playing field for community organizations, catalyze pilot programs, evaluate innovative approaches and treatment, and diversify the pool of providers available to fight the challenge of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) crisis throughout the City of Springfield.
The Springfield Department of Health and Human Services is investing ORRF to build system capacity and assets by closing gaps in the OUD ecosystem and improving linkages across community care systems to foster a longer-term comprehensive continuum of care model of addiction. Recovery often occurs along different pathways and PWLLE will use one or more assisted pathways (such as mutual aid groups, medical treatment, recovery support services, medication, etc.). The SDHHS and multiple stakeholders determined, through a six-month community input and priority-setting process, that treatment and recovery support would be more effective when delivered through well-coordinated services and collaborative approaches across sectors.
The city and SDHHS established a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to award ORRF funds to local nonprofit organizations that work on any aspect of the care continuum, from prevention to recovery, and that collaborate with communities and populations that are diverse, historically underserved, and have experienced a higher rate of opioid-related overdose deaths.
Mayor Sarno states, “First off, congratulations to Gandara, Tapestry Health and New North Citizens Council for the life saving and touching work they do. The damage inflicted by the opioid crisis to Springfield’s most precious resource, our residents, has been tremendous and will continue to take Herculean efforts from the city, nonprofits, our community partners and stakeholders to repair. I want to thank former Attorney General, now Governor Maura Healey for her leadership and efforts in holding these pharmaceutical companies accountable for contributing to this opioid crisis.”
Mayor Sarno continued, “Unfortunately, we all have or know of a family member or friend that has been affected by the scourge of opioids. Some beat it but some do not. I am grateful to my dedicated city team, Sheriff Nick Cocchi, and all of our community partners for their continued unyielding efforts in working together to help those get the treatment and resources they need to heal from this opioid situation. Special thanks to HHS Commissioner Helen Caulton Harris and her team for working closely with a variety of stakeholders to gather critical information and administering this much needed program. We are looking forward to rolling out the first round of grant funding under the ORRF. I will continue to be steadfast in working with my dedicated city team and all of our community partners and stakeholders to help those in need and secure whatever resources are necessary.”
