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62 <br /> 2. Project Narrative <br /> A. Assessment of Community Need <br /> Geographic Area and Overdose Burden <br /> EI Futuro's proposed Latino Early Intervention Program will serve Latino youth, young adults, <br /> and caregivers in Orange County, North Carolina (NC). In 2021, NC saw its highest overdose <br /> deaths in a single year (4,041), a 22% increase from the prior year, with over 77% linked to <br /> fentanyl (The Daily Tar Heel, 2023). While NC saw some relief in 2022-23 due to expanded harm <br /> reduction efforts, opioid misuse remains a critical public health concern. Orange County alone <br /> reported 48 opioid-related ED visits and five heroin overdoses in 2023 (Orange County CHA, <br /> 2023), highlighting the need for expanded prevention strategies. <br /> Need for This Work and Gaps in Services <br /> Data and experience prove that Latino communities face disproportionate barriers to substance <br /> use and mental health care, including cultural stigma, lack of bilingual providers, and systemic <br /> inequities. Substance use is underreported in Latino populations due to fear and lack of <br /> culturally competent services (SAMHSA, 2021 and 2023 National Survey on Drug Use). Research <br /> confirms early intervention for alcohol, marijuana, and other drug misuse significantly reduces <br /> the risk of opioid dependency (Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine, 2023). Given that co- <br /> occurring mental health disorders are a primary risk factor for opioid misuse, targeted early <br /> intervention is crucial. <br /> EI Futuro has provided culturally responsive mental health services for over 20 years, observing <br /> a rising demand for substance use prevention and treatment. Nationally, 22% of Latino youth <br /> experience depression, the highest rate except for Native Americans, yet only 8% receive <br /> treatment, compared to 14% of white youth (University of Texas, 2017). Limited Spanish- <br /> language behavioral health services in Orange County further exacerbate this disparity. <br /> When services are available, financial barriers prevent many from accessing care. While Latinos <br /> make up 10.5% of Orange County's population (Census.gov, 2023), a disproportionate number <br /> (28.7%) of Latinos under 65 lack health insurance—over three times the rate of uninsured non- <br /> Hispanic whites (9.4%) (NC DHHS, 2023). Additionally, 20.7% of Latino residents in NC live below <br /> the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), further limiting access to treatment (NC Budget and Tax Center, <br /> 2023). Expanding affordable, culturally competent mental health services is essential. <br /> Priority Population & Determination of Needs <br /> Targeted populations include Latino youth and young adults at risk for substance use, <br /> caregivers, CMHWs, and community leaders. Latino youth often navigate complex cultural <br /> stressors, such as serving as family interpreters in medical and educational settings, increasing <br /> mental health burdens. 12.6% of Orange County residents are foreign born and 4.7% report <br /> limited English proficiency (Orange County CHA, 2023). Needs assessment findings include: <br /> 1 <br />