Enhancing the CAC Response to the Opioid Crisis in Southern Arizona

OVC’s mission is to enhance the nation’s capacity to assist crime victims and provide leadership in changing policies and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime. OVC achieves this mission, in part, by administering discretionary award programs supported by the federal Crime Victims Fund to develop innovative training and technical assistance, and to provide direct services to improve the overall quality of victim assistance. The purpose of this solicitation is to address an urgent gap in crime victim services related to the opioid epidemic and to expand upon existing or establish new programs to provide services to children and youth who are victimized as the result of the opioid crisis. Projects selected under this solicitation will support service providers in expanding their current scope and expertise to ensure that children and youth—the most vulnerable victims impacted by the opioid crisis—are supported as they heal from the impact of crime and substance abuse.

With this award, the Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center (SACAC) will use grant funds to establish long-term change for young victims throughout Southern Arizona (Pima, Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, and Santa Cruz Counties). SACAC will expand its partnerships and services to ensure a safe, compassionate, healing environment for all young victims and witnesses to include those victims impacted by the opioid crisis and substance abuse. The SACAC will engage treatment and recovery providers, establish the LEAP System (Local Education on Addiction for Parents), expand its family support program to include services related to addiction, and integrate these services and resources into protocols to ensure long-term sustainability. (CA/NCF)