The Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA) recently approved contract allocations totaling $889,405 to various programs and services in Berks County aimed at helping in the prevention, treatment and recovery of opioid use disorder.
The COCA Board of Directors approved the allocations during their August 19 board meeting, using monies from the Berks County Opioid Settlement Fund.
The Berks Opioid Settlement funds are in place to address detrimental effects of the opioid/overdose crisis in Berks County and to help protect the community from such negative effects in the future. These funds will be used to provide services related to Opioid Use Disorders (OUD) and any co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) and Mental Health (MH) conditions to all communities and residents in Berks County with respect, dignity and equity while supporting culturally appropriate services and programs.
Below are the specific projects funded through Berks Opioid Settlement Funds:
Recovery Works: Monies allocated to Connections Works for the provision of a workforce development and placement program for individuals in recovery from an opioid use disorder.
SOS Berks Community Coalition Support: Monies allocated to SOS Berks, the county’s opioid/overdose coalition, to help fund various community educational outreach and awareness, and other community awareness related services and events.
Support & Education for Hispanic/Latino Community: Monies allocated to Peace and Harmony House to provide bi-lingual/bi-cultural outreach and educational services to the local Hispanic/Latino community, related to opioid use and overdose.
Recovery Coaching and Family Intervention Support: Monies allocated to Recovery Coaching Services to provide peer-to-peer services and support for families whose loved one is currently involved, or soon to be involved, with treatment for opioid use disorder.
Center of Excellence: Monies allocated to both New Directions Treatment Services and Reading Hospital for the provision of counseling and support services to those suffering from an opioid use disorder. This involves assisting individuals in obtaining suitable treatment and medical care, in addition to providing referrals and support for accessing essential social services.
Smart Vending Machine: Monies allocated to Penn State College of Medicine to administer and maintain a smart vending machine at the Reading YMCA, providing a low-barrier opportunity for individuals to access naloxone and other items and services aimed at reducing fatal overdoses.
Opioid Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery: Monies administered by the Council on Chemical Abuse to support opioid use disorder treatment and recovery services for individuals in Berks County.
Creating Lasting Family Connections: Monies allocated to Walk It Out Recovery Services to provide an evidence-based prevention program for both parents and families to prevent substance use.
Transportation: Monies allocated to Danny’s Ride to arrange and fund transportation for those with a substance use disorder to attend treatment/counseling sessions and recovery support services.
Equine Therapy: Monies allocated to Bethany Christian Services of Central Pennsylvania for the provision of an Equine Therapy program for pregnant and post-partum women in recovery from an opioid use disorder.
Peer-to-Peer and Family-to-Family Education and Support: Monies allocated to the Berks County Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), for education and support groups for individuals and families suffering from a co-occurring opioid use disorder and mental health conditions.
3 C’s Family Recovery Program: Monies allocated to Becky VanEtten to provide education, support and referral for individuals and families who have a loved one with a substance use disorder.
Additionally, funds for the Berks County Jail System (BCJS) will continue at $800,268 for fiscal year 2025/26. This includes:
MAT services at BCJS: Monies allocated to the Berks County Jail System for medication assisted treatment for inmates with an opiate use disorder. The allocation will include the cost of medication, medical personnel involved in the program, as well as Treatment Access and Services Center (TASC) providing ongoing case management.
Funds for Recovery House Case Management will continue at $269,752 for fiscal year 2025/26:
Recovery House Case Management – Monies allocated to TASC to provide case management and house management services at the Drug Court Recovery House and the Women’s Recovery House located at the Reading YMCA.
For a more complete list of projects and more detailed information on funds, visit the cocaberks.org – Opioid Settlement Funds page.
Berks County receives a specified amount of funds annually from Pennsylvania’s allotment of the National Opioid Settlement. The Berks County Commissioners authorized COCA to manage and distribute the funds locally in accordance with the National Opioid Settlement. COCA has served as the Single County Authority for substance use prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services for Berks County since 1972. More information regarding the Opioid Settlement can be found at www.cocaberks.org.
