Update: Demonstration Project Summary: SSP Patient Navigation
The National Harm Reduction Technical Assistance and Syringe Services Program (SSP) Monitoring and Evaluation Funding Opportunity (PS19-1909) is a three-year cooperative agreement supported by the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention at CDC.
The opioid crisis has had substantial infectious disease consequences, particularly for people who inject drugs. Comprehensive syringe services programs (SSPs) are a proven and effective strategy for preventing the spread of infectious disease through injection drug use and are a vital component of community-based overdose response. This Harm Reduction Cooperative Agreement will strengthen the capacity and improve the performance of SSPs throughout the United States by supporting enhanced technical assistance to ensure the provision of high-quality, comprehensive harm reduction services; implementing a national SSP monitoring and evaluation program; and supporting the development and implementation of best practices for patient navigation from SSPs to community-based health and social services.
Component 1a: Patient Navigation Programs at SSPs Demonstration Project
Eight sites will receive dedicated funding and intensive technical assistance to:
- Develop patient navigation program to link SSP clients to medication-assisted therapy and to care and treatment for infectious disease
- Develop a program to track navigation support provided and outcomes
- Develop guidance on best practices for patient navigation
