Orange County NC Website
<br />Exhibit B: Scope of Services <br /> <br />Project Description and Program Sustainability <br />The primary implementation strategy addressed by this proposal is Strategy 9: Syringe <br />Service Program. Our work also addresses Strategy 7: Naloxone Distribution. The proposed <br />project is funding for the Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) SSP. SHAC SSP is a volunteer- <br />based organization that seeks to improve health outcomes for people who use substances and <br />improve community knowledge of drug safety. We are founded on the principles of harm <br />reduction, which seek to center the humanity of people who use substances while working to <br />reduce higher-risk behaviors through delivery of non-judgmental care. We aim to “meet people <br />where they are” and rebuild trust between people with substance use disorder (SUD) and the <br />medical community. SHAC SSP serves a diverse clientele and is the only fixed location SSP <br />operated out of and focused exclusively on Orange County. <br />Our parent organization, SHAC, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is managed through the <br />UNC Health Foundation and is part of the National Association of Free Clinics and North <br />Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. SHAC’s mission is to provide free <br />“comprehensive health care and social needs support.” Due to capacity constraints, SHAC is <br />unable to administer large awards in-house. Therefore, we are applying with the UNC Injury <br />Prevention Research Center (IPRC) who will administer the award, including overseeing the <br />financial, personnel, and compliance aspects of the program. SHAC SSP was awarded Orange <br />County Opioid Settlement funds in a previous cycle and the contract is currently administered <br />through IPRC. SHAC SSP registered with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human <br />Services as an SSP in Spring of 2022. Since our inception in 2022 we have provided safer use <br />supplies to over 175 unique SSP clients, including more than 456 doses of naloxone and 2,002 <br />syringes. We also provide sterile injection supplies, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, first aid <br />supplies, drug checking kits, referrals to local organizations for substance use disorder <br />treatment, and referrals to other clinics within SHAC for free medical and dental care, STI and <br />HIV testing and treatment, and more. <br />Our leadership team has been trained to lead educational activities related to naloxone <br />administration, harm reduction principles, North Carolina Good Samaritan laws, and fentanyl <br />awareness. In the last year, our volunteer base increased from 15 to 83 active volunteers with <br />undergraduates, nursing students, public health students, and medical students receiving <br />training on topics important for SSP shift staffing including how to teach participants about <br />naloxone use. Our tracked statistics from May 2022-May 2023, prior to receiving Orange <br />County Opioid Settlement Funding, compared to June 2023-June 2024 with funding show that <br />we substantially increased our supply provision to participants. Overall, our number of <br />participants served increased from 65 in 2022-2023 to 124 in 2023-2024. Our provision of <br />naloxone doses increased 109% in 2023-2024 compared to 2022-2023 from 99 to 207, and our <br />number of syringes distributed increased 115% from 439 to 946. Additionally, we expanded <br />from one to two weekly supply distribution shifts during the last funding period. <br />We are seeking funding for SSP supplies, educational materials, marketing, travel, and <br />continued funding for the paid Program Navigator position within SHAC SSP. Supplies include <br />purchases of naloxone, syringes, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, basic first aid supplies, and <br />other items comprising the total inventory of 26 harm reduction-related items we supply. The <br />program navigator hired within the last funded year provides program management and <br />support, including development of educational materials, volunteer management and training, <br />Docusign Envelope ID: 29556FD2-008F-43BA-A984-596F90EB929E