City of Indianapolis awards IU Health $250,000 grant to launch Opioid Engagement Team

“New approaches are desperately needed to treat opioid and other substance use disorders, instead of just sending people to jail,” said Cassandra Tice, Director of Grants at IU Health Foundation.

Thanks to a $250,000 grant from the City of Indianapolis, IU Health social workers will help pilot a program focused on immediate crisis response as well as long-term prevention, and support efforts for people experiencing a substance use crisis or other emergencies in and around IU Health’s downtown Indianapolis medical campus. The grant funding, secured by IU Health Foundation, will cover salaries, training and benefits for the police officer and social worker, plus as a vehicle and additional equipment.

The pilot will run through 2024, with benchmarks and metrics established to gauge success and guide discussion of a broader implementation of the program.

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