The Center at Sierra Health Foundation works to promote health and racial equity throughout California with a community-first funding model that centers the voices and priorities of marginalized communities. The Center is partnering with DHCS to expand the reach of MAT services and wraparound care to all who need it. The project is centered on increasing access to comprehensive prevention, education and treatment for opioid and stimulant use disorders, and to improve health outcomes for communities of color disproportionately impacted by and penalized for substance use disorders.
In the first and second rounds, the MAT Access Points Project provided support to organizations to increase access to treatment services by building their capacity to provide MAT and substance use disorder treatment, as well as support for community-based organizations to conduct racially and culturally responsive prevention and educational activities focused on awareness of substance use disorder and reducing stigma. The focus for funding opportunities has been on disproportionately impacted communities such as tribal populations and communities of color, and has also included innovative projects through recovery housing and syringe services programs.
In the third round of the project, MAT Access Points is continuing to expand access to prevention and education for priority populations as well as partners with projects across the state that support various components of DHCS’ California MAT Expansion project including tribal MAT projects, youth focused work, and narcotic treatment programs, among others. For more information, visit the MAT Access Points Website.
This project receives State Opioid Response (SOR) grant funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and State General Funds from the State of California.