What is this strategy?
Support collaborative strategic planning to address opioid issues, including staff support, facilitation services, or any activity or combination of activities in support of Collaborative strategic planning (as listed in Exhibit C to the MOA)
Why collaborative strategic planning?
There is a lot of important work underway in North Carolina to respond to the overdose crisis. The Opioid Settlement Funds are a critical way to build off these existing efforts.
Collaborative strategic planning allows all people in a community to provide input into developing a plan and facilitates planning that is well-matched to the needs of their community. People who use drugs, and those with a history of drug use, are one of the groups that that should have a real voice in creation of programs and plans designed to serve them.
This strategy allows programs to understand the needs of their community, maximize limited resources, coordinate with key partners, and ensure that services are not duplicated.
Featured Resources
Complete List of Resources
The following resources have been compiled by the NC Department of Health and Human Services to help local governments better understand this strategy.
The resources below are organized by level.
Jump to: Introductory Resources | Intermediate Resources | Advanced Resources
Introductory Resources
NC Association of County Commissioners Webinar
A webinar that provides an overview of the collaborative strategic planning process with examples from Cumberland and Gaston Counties
County-Level Poisoning Data
Explore statewide and county-level poisoning data provided by the NC Division of Public Health
Intermediate Resources
Developing Culturally Responsive Resources
A resource designed to help community-based organizations serve the needs of their diverse populations
Human Rights Toolkit: How to Engage People with Lived Experience
Online toolkit that focuses on human rights issues associated with discrimination against people who use drugs
Principles for the Use of Funds From the Opioid Litigation
Five guiding principles to determine the best use of funding compiled by Johns Hopkins University
“Nothing About Us Without Us”—Greater, Meaningful Involvement of People Who Use Illegal Drugs: A Public Health, Ethical, and Human Rights Imperative
A report that examines why it is important to increase meaningful involvement of people who use (or have used) drugs
CDC Drug Overdose Deaths Data
CDC data on drug overdoses involving opioids and other drugs
NC Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan Data Dashboard
See what your county is already implementing to respond to the opioid crisis
Harm Reduction is Healthcare: Sustainable Funding for Harm Reduction Programs
A free, brief e-course on how the healthcare financing system works and how harm reduction programs can tap into opportunities for funding
Centering Racial Equity
Throughout Data Integration
A toolkit to encourage shifts of awareness and practice, by centering racial equity and community voice within the context of data integration and use
Methods and Emerging Strategies to Engage People with Lived Experience
Report that identifies lessons learned and key considerations for engaging individuals with lived experience
NC Drug User Health Resources Guide
Comprehensive list of health resources by North Carolina region
Quick Guide to Conducting a Needs Assessment
This NACo resource describes the basics of conducting a needs assessment at the county-level with relevant case examples
Quick Guide to Creating a Settlement Council
This NACo resource describes the basics of establishing a settlement council to assist in planning the best use of the dollars
Advancing Health Equity Through County Opioid Abatement Strategies
This NACo resource details steps taken by counties during the first year of the opioid settlements and future considerations for advancing health equity
Advanced Resources
Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)
A multi-year initiative providing funding to address barriers to treatment for substance use disorder
View details about the collaborative strategic planning process
National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards
Standards intended to advance health equity, improve equality, and help eliminate health care disparities
Community Engagement: an Essential Component of an Effective and Equitable Substance Use Prevention System
SAMHSA resource that shares best practices and practical considerations for communicaty engagement
Engaging Community Coalitions
to Decrease Opioid Overdose Deaths
SAMHSA resource that provides tools and real-world examples for building and strengthening community coalitions that work to reduce opioid
overdose deaths
