The Florida Department of Children and Families recently announced that Okaloosa County was one of 10 counties to receive a one-time performance incentive of $200,000 for exceptional efforts in the Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network.
CORE Network success requires a collaborative effort from healthcare providers, behavioral health organizations, emergency medical services, hospitals, law enforcement, peer specialists, recovery community organizations, and other community stakeholders.
“Okaloosa County Community Paramedics, along with our community partners, have achieved incredible results with their efforts,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin. “This recognition is well-deserved and will go toward improving the lives of many other people in our community who suffer from addiction.”
The funds will be used to continue expansion, enhancement, and sustainability of the network’s infrastructure, partnerships, and coordinated system of care.
Okaloosa County, in partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County, announced the formation of the CORE Network in 2024 using funds from opioid settlements. Since that time, the CORE Network in Okaloosa County helped expand detoxification services 24/7 at Bridgeway Center Inc., the formation of the Community Paramedicine Program and the Post Overdose Support Team (POST).
These efforts have saved lives and helped individuals in Okaloosa County battling addiction. Successes include (Since July 2024):
• 15,823 doses of NARCAN distributed.
• 53% down in fatal overdoses.
• 729 of contacts made by POST following overdose, with 224 enrolled in a treatment program.
