Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced progress and investments in the City's ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and improve health.
Seven community organizations focused primarily on Chicago's south and west sides will receive $700,000 through the
Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) to expand evidence-based opioid addiction treatment. Organizations include PCC Wellness Center, Access Community Health Network, the Women's Treatment Center, Sinai Health System, Esperanza Health Center, Haymarket Center and Lawndale Christian Health Center. In addition, the grant will fund Cook County Jail through the Cook County Health Foundation with Cermak Health Services.
Funding will support services for those who need it most. Access Community Health Network will serve residents of West Englewood, Back of the Yards and South Chicago, while PCC Wellness Center will serve South Austin and West Garfield Park. Cermak Health Services will work with residents in Cook County Jail and bond court to provide medication-assisted treatment within the jail system. Funding to these organizations will expand their capacity to provide medical, clinical and community screening interventions and treatment.
PHIMC has worked with Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) to ensure delivery of services across a continuum from prevention to recovery since 2016. PHIMC is excited to continue this partnership with CDPH in order to provide this much needed service throughout the city.
"Our efforts are focused on reaching individuals struggling with substance use disorders in a way that reduces stigma and focuses on life-saving treatment." said Karen A. Reitan, Executive Director of Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC). "It's about being on the ground supporting the organizations that know the impacted populations."
The funding will go toward treatment using evidence-based medications such as buprenorphine and methadone as well as to support services that make treatment more effective, for example counseling, navigation of the health system, and transportation to get patients to appointments.
CDPH, in addition to overseeing the treatment investment, is hosting trainings and has created a learning collaborative to help health centers learn best practices in providing effective opioid use disorder treatment.
