Saving Lives Task Force and Dare County DHHS announce mini grant recipients

Dare County is part of North Carolina’s historic $26 billion agreement that will help bring desperately needed relief to communities impacted by opioids. In Dare County, these funds will be used to support treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and other life-saving programs and services. Because Dare County is a “can do” community, a portion of the funds was allocated towards mini grants.

The mini grant application period was open from August 16, 2022 until September 6, 2022. Applications were reviewed and approved by the Saving Lives Task Force Board. The following projects were funded:

• Dare County Recovery Court: Assist those in the justice- involved population and recovery with reentry services and post-treatment support.
• Just in Case: Provide Narcan and Fentanyl test strips in a free, convenient, and discreet manner in the form of a vending machine.
• Community Care Clinic of Dare: Implement medically-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD).
• OBX Room in the Inn: Fund qualified and dedicated Dare County residents to become certified Mental Health First Aid Trainers.
• Cross Roads OBX: Increase organizational capacity to help those with substance use disorders in Dare County.
• Interfaith Community Outreach: Provide monetary assistance to residents with addiction who have completed a treatment program.
• Outer Banks Yoga: Provide a 75-minute weekly yoga/meditation class, designed specifically for individuals recovery from drug addiction.’
• Changing Tides: Cover costs associated with services and treatment for qualified Dare County residents.
• Outer Banks Dare Challenge: To provide a more intense focus on setting up Dare County residents with the tools necessary for long term success in recovery.
• Contracted Community Peer Support Specialist: Attend Recovery Court Sessions monthly and assist participants and professionals. Work with Dare County Detention Center to set up needed programs.

“The Saving Lives Task Force board believes that these projects will enhance and complement the variety of services available in our community to combat substance use,” commented Roxana Ballinger, Saving Lives Task Force Co-Chair. “We are excited to see what these organizations achieve over the next fiscal year.”

For more information, please contact Roxana Ballinger, Health Education & Outreach Director with Dare County Department of Health & Human Services and Co-Chair for the Saving Lives Task Force at 252.475.5619 or Roxana.Ballinger@DareNC.com.