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23 <br /> On initial visit, whether scheduled or as part of EMS response, the PORT will engage in a motivational <br /> interview with the client to determine that specific individuals personal needs and wishes.If the client meets <br /> eligibility for, and consents to, MAT, the responding CP of the PORT will follow the OC-EMS MAT <br /> protocol (attachment F) and provide buprenorphine treatment as defined therein. This treatment will <br /> continue as a daily-dose intervention by the CP up to a maximum of seven consecutive days at the place of <br /> convenience for the client. Upon initiating treatment, the PORT will determine potential referral pathways <br /> for ongoing treatment in consultation with the client, and then make an urgent referral to the appropriate <br /> ongoing treatment provider to initiate transfer of care. Upon successfully scheduling the transfer of care to <br /> partner OBOT or OTP, a warm hand-off will occur by the PORT at the provider's location to ensure <br /> continuity of care and address any questions or needs that may arise. Upon transfer, the client will remain <br /> with direct contact information to members of the PORT should any additional needs arise following the <br /> transfer of care. <br /> In addition to providing MAT, an intake tool will be utilized during initial and subsequent visits to <br /> determine additional client needs. Based on the results of this intake tool,referrals will be made with other <br /> services within the county. Education will be provided on each applicable visit along with distribution of <br /> harm-reduction resources such as naloxone, fentanyl test strips, resources within the area and sterile <br /> syringes as appropriate. <br /> Providing MAT will not be a requirement for a PORT visitation with a potential client. The success of this <br /> program is directly dependent upon its flexibility to the client's current needs. The PORT will provide non- <br /> judgmental, non-coercive care to allow the individual to determine what they need and which services will <br /> assist them in addressing those needs. In establishing this rapport and always remaining client-centered,the <br /> PORT will ensure that each individual has a personal path to help, at the moment in which they make the <br /> decision to utilize it. <br /> This resource will also be available to partnering departments, local organizations, emergency departments <br /> and the community at-large in the form of direct links to our case management software (Apricot), direct <br /> phone numbers, email and text messages. Active efforts will be made throughout the life of the PORT to <br /> establish and increase public awareness of this service.These efforts will include availability on the Orange <br /> County website, news releases, presentations to be utilized throughout the community, as well as direct <br /> education provided to our local first responders and emergency departments. <br /> As one example of alternative needs that will be addressed with this service,joint efforts have been made <br /> to establish a partnership with the Orange County Criminal Justice Resource Department(OC-CJRD).This <br /> partnership will create a pathway for treatment of individuals released from the Orange County Detention <br /> Center who are at risk of a temporary gap in treatment availability prior to being successfully connected <br /> with external treatment. We foresee one of the key benefits of the PORT team as its flexibility to <br /> accommodate similar needs as they are identified, in a `plug-and-play' model once this service is <br /> established. <br /> Beneficiaries <br /> We are able to estimate potential beneficiaries as a calculation of patients in which EMS has interfaced, as <br /> well as individuals identified by the OC-CJRD that potentially have a need for gap coverage.We are unable <br /> to accurately estimate the number of individuals outside of these two pathways that will directly benefit <br /> from this service. We fully anticipate that this service will be an asset to the community and that as <br /> knowledge of the PORT existence increases,incoming referrals will increase accordingly.In providing two <br /> FTE CP positions and two FTE PSS positions for this service (to ensure seven day a week coverage), we <br /> 4 <br />