Youth Delta Opioid Taskforce

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, Delta Health Alliance, Inc will strengthen and grow its Network of providers and responders to connect young victims of opioid crime—from newborn to 18—to desperately needed services in the Mississippi Delta. The collaborative Network includes health providers, judicial systems and law enforcement, school districts and childcare providers, and local nonprofit agencies. Together, the Network will provide an integrated response to identify and respond to young victims and their families. Partners in this effort include the Leland Medical Center and its Universal Parenting Place; the district drug court and youth court; Canopy Children’s Solutions; local school districts—Sunflower County, Hollandale, and Leland; Sunflower County Early Head Start Child Care Coalition; Region One Mental Health – Sunflower Landing; and the Social Services Collaborative Network of over 20 different agencies.(CA/NCF)