In August of 2021, Oneida County convened a multi-agency Project Team targeted at addressing the public health and safety issues impacting Oneida Square in the City of Utica. Supporting that effort was the Street Engagement Team (SET), a rapid response, multi-agency, multi-disciplined team that committed to working in coordination to bring weekly “boots on-the-ground” on-demand, health and human services to people in the Oneida Square area. Team members included representatives of the Opioid Task Force and one of the primary objectives of the SET is to provide low-threshold, same-day access to substance use treatment and harm reduction resources to reduce risk of overdose. Efforts are also made to link individuals to mental health, housing and other vital social support services. See below for some notable project outcomes. 

 

NOTABLE PROJECT OUTCOMES

  • Over 100 patients initiated on buprenorphine (Suboxone) treatment by REACH Medical
  • 22 patients engaged with Upstate Family Health Center’s  "Pop-Up Clinic"
  • 20 people referred by The Neighborhood Center to care management services 
  • 20 Oneida County Department of Family & Children Services and ICAN  "relocations" to transitional or permanent housing
  • 7 Oneida County Public Health COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
  • Over 70 people referred by ACR Health to various treatment, recovery, primary care, and social support services.  ACR Health harm reduction services to date:
    • Distributed over 143 Narcan Kits
    • Distributed Over 500 Fentanyl Test Strips
    • Collected and disposed over 500 used syringes in the Oneida Square area
    • Distributed over 100 Oneida County Overdose Care Kits

Street engagement efforts continue throughout our community through multiple agencies.