Title
Amending the 2022 Public Health Operating Budget to accept $128,429 from the WI Department of Health Services to expand syringe services and harm reduction.
Body
WHEREAS, Public Health Madison & Dane County (“Public Health”) applied for and received the Supporting Drug User Health through existing Syringe Service Providers from COVID-19 and Beyond Grant from the WI Department of Health Services in 2022, that focused on expanding availability of syringe services and access to harm reduction; and,
WHEREAS, the Syringe Services Program (SSP) is a vital harm reduction tool to curb the spread of communicable disease (HIV, Hepatitis C) and prevent overdose and overdose fatalities. SSP currently averages 681 client encounters per month in 2022; and,
WHEREAS, WI DHS awarded Public Health a $128,429 grant for a one-year period to pilot expanded service delivery hours on Saturdays, provide harm reduction services in conjunction with other satellite services, and provide additional staffing during the peak hours; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council approves amending the 2022 Public Health Operating Budget to accept $128,429 from the WI Department of Health Services to expand syringe services and harm reduction.