CAN is excited to continue partnering with the California Youth Opioid Response (YOR CA). YOR California seeks to strengthen capacity and access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services, as well as access points to Medication-Assisted Treatment, for youth (ages 12-24) and their families. As our community may know, CAN is committed to promoting health and wellness to youth, parents, and communities in California by providing information, resources, promising practices, and legislation updates to the out-of-school time field. Additionally, CAN’s mission and vision aligns with our Statement of Strategic Direction Toward Equity-Driven Whole Child Health and Wellness – where Every child is well known, well cared for, and well prepared to thrive.

A little context for our new subscribers; a few years ago CAN was awarded funding from YOR CA, a grant funded through the Department of Health Care Services. This funding supported us in convening our Whole Child Health & Wellness Collaborative resulting in the Statement of Strategic Direction Toward Equity-Driven Whole Child Health and Wellness and a subsequent Community of Practice exploring multi-sector collaboration, pathways to SUD/MAT services and co-location of services. Now, in partnership with YOR CA we have the opportunity to support our field with resources to address the unfortunate crisis of Fentanyl overdose and strengthen our capacity to educate youth and families about the dangers of Fentanyl, and how to provide life saving overdose treatment through the administration of Naloxone. 

CAN is excited to share and promote resources and information with our field in this critical area. Over the next 6  months we will share information and valuable resources on the importance of Narcan, staff training opportunities, and emphasize how Positive Youth Development is crucial prevention work.