Agenda 05-06-25; 6-a - Opioid Advisory Committee Settlement Fund Use Recommendations

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116 E. Evidence of Collaborations/Partnerships SHAC Syringe Service Program actively collaborates with a range of community partners to ensure our services are comprehensive, accessible, and non-duplicative. We seek to complement rather than duplicate existing efforts within Orange County. By integrating harm reduction efforts into multiple healthcare and community settings, we expand access to care while maximizing the impact of available resources. As the only fixed location-based syringe service program in Orange County, SHAC SSP remains distinct from on-campus, student-focused harm reduction initiatives as well as from mobile SSP services. We provide twice weekly, in- person support and supplies, serving different demographics and meeting distinct community needs as compared to SSPs offering mobile supply distribution. SHAC SSP Organizational Collaborators include: 1. Inter-Faith Council for Social Service (IFC) Collaboration: Our partnership with IFC in Carrboro enables us to offer harm reduction services in conjunction with their social support programs. Our supply distribution shift is scheduled at IFC on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 6:00pm to overlap with free hot meal distribution at 5:00pm. This strategic collaboration allows us to reach individuals who may otherwise face barriers to accessing harm reduction supplies, providing a convenient opportunity to receive supplies in a supportive environment. This coordination of timing also provides the SSP visibility with community members who were previously unaware of our services, expanding our number of participants. 2. University United Methodist Church (UUMQ We maintain an ongoing partnership with UUMC, hosting weekly clinics every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Located in a central, high- traffic area near a bus stop, UUMC provides an accessible space for individuals who rely on public transportation or have limited travel options to Carrboro. Though the location is highly accessible, our distribution space within UUMC is designed to be private for more discreet distribution. This UUMC location complements our distribution efforts at IFC during a highly trafficked mealtime and allows us to serve participants that are most interested in privacy. 3. Orange County Post-Overdose Response Team (PORT): SHAC SSP has partnered with PORT to provide individuals who have experienced an overdose with immediate access to harm reduction resources and treatment options. PORT connects individuals with a peer support specialist and access to medication for opioid use disorder(MOUD). SHAC SSP collaborates with PORT to provide information to connect individuals with SHAC SSP services and recovery programs. We are also working with PORT to assess EMS data on overdose locations to guide our selection of an additional supply distribution location. 4. SHAC Clinics: Over the past year, we have collaborated with SHAC Medical and Dental Clinics to ensure naloxone is available to patients in both clinical settings. Free naloxone is advertised on posters throughout the primary care clinic and provided upon request, supplied to SHAC Medical by SHAC SSP. We also provided naloxone to stock first aid kits in the SHAC Dental Clinic and plan to install posters and provide free naloxone to patients in this context as well. Additionally, SHAC SSP can connect participants with various SHAC clinics, including SHAC XYZ for HIV and STI testing and counseling, the Gender Affirming Care Clinic, and Get Covered Carolina, which helps uninsured individuals apply for health insurance through the ACA. 5. UNC Emergency Department: SHAC SSP is in the process of incorporating harm reduction resources into discharge materials for patients admitted to the UNC Emergency Department with substance use-related concerns. This initiative aims to provide individuals with immediate