Respite care for individuals waiting to transition to residential care who are at high risk for overdose

Background:  Nashville is ranked 2nd among large metropolitan areas and Tennessee is ranked 2nd among States for the rate of overdose deaths .  The majority (80%) of deaths are among males and the fastest growing rate of death is African American males. Tennessee is not a Medicaid expansion state and treatment access is very limited, particularly for those without insurance.  The Elam Center at Meharry Medical College provides residential treatment for those without insurance, but waiting lists are typically several weeks for accessing care---and for the population there are lots of barriers to access.  

Respite housing was established as a pilot for a new level of care in Tennessee offering a safe non-medical, non-clinical facility for individuals to reside at until they have an available treatment bed. Annual goals are to serve 60 individuals with respite and 30 (50%) will access treatment 

Preliminary results: 34 individuals have accessed respite, 28 (82.3%) entered treatment, 27 at Elam.  Participants are 88.4% African American and 3.8% LBGTQ+. Unexpected Positive Impacts: Four individuals returned for recovery housing after completing treatment. A respite facility was set up in Nashville by another non-profit organization. Respite Housing is now part of the Opiate Abatement Council requests for proposals. Available beds increased from two to three due to demand.