Florida’s Department of Children and Families has announced enhancements to its Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network, revealing a pivot toward integrated response mechanisms and performance-based funding models.
BACKGROUND: Escambia County has participated in the Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) program, a state-funded initiative designed to address the opioid and fentanyl overdose crisis, since 2023. The program collaborates with local resources such as Community Health Northwest Florida, Lakeview, and Waterfront Rescue Mission.
The program offers a coordinated system of addiction care, including:
1. Emergency response and stabilization
2. Medication-assisted therapy using Suboxone
3. Connection to long-term recovery programs
4. Wrap-around services addressing immediate needs (e.g., food, clothing, housing)
5. Mental health support and counseling
- In 2024, Escambia County experienced an almost 29% decline in suspected opioid-related overdose deaths compared to 2023. The county reported 55 suspected opioid-related deaths in 2024, down from 77 in 2023. By December 2024, the CORE program had successfully assisted its 200th patient, with 210 patients transitioning to long-term care since the program’s inception.
New Multifaceted Approach
A $3.1 million allocation for law enforcement integration recalibrates the first-response protocols. Officers will receive specialized crisis intervention training focused on substance use disorders (SUD) and opioid use disorders (OUD), expanding the network’s reach and intervention capabilities.
This restructuring acknowledges a critical gap in the existing framework: law enforcement personnel frequently serve as initial contact points for individuals struggling with substance use disorders but have historically lacked formalized pathways to connect these individuals with treatment resources.
Accountability Metrics
The new initiative creates a CORE Incentive Program, establishing a $2 million annual allocation from 2024-2025. The program will distribute $200,000 to each of the ten highest-performing counties, with an additional $300,000 reserved for the county demonstrating the greatest percentage decrease in opioid-related fatalities.
This performance-based model introduces several evaluation metrics:
- Client satisfaction indicators
- Community response assessment
- Inter-agency collaboration effectiveness
- Engagement measurement frameworks
Department Secretary Shevaun Harris said, “By rewarding high-performing counties, we are fostering innovation and accountability, ultimately leading to better outcomes for individuals and their families. Further, with the integration of law enforcement, CORE will provide a critical support to communities, reaching broader populations, and delivering timely interventions that will save more lives.”
For more information on CORE Network and the resources available, visit flcorenetwork.com. For more on Escambia County’s CORE, visit here.
Photo: Licensed under the Unsplash+ License
