Vision:
Collaborating —across agencies, organizations, sectors, and stakeholders—to build a healthier Greater New Bedford community by addressing the misuse of substances.
Mission:
To address opioid misuse and overdose in the Greater New Bedford community by increasing available (and leveraging existing) resources, enhancing infrastructure and coordination of efforts, and improving communication among community and organizational partners.
Overarching Goal: To address the issue of opioid misuse. We implement strategies that are data-driven and grounded in evidence-based programs, which are monitored and evaluated for quality improvement. This is done on a state level when the numbers come out annually.
Commitment: to eliminate health disparities, address stigma, build equity to reduce opioid misuse and mortality, and address the structural determinants of health.
Structure:
Task Force will occur once per month on the 3rd Thursday from 1-2 PM. Meetings will be held on Zoom and in person, currently at Buttonwood Park Zoo.
Advisory Committee:
The mission of the Advisory Committee is to support the vision and mission of the Greater New Bedford Opioid Task Force (GNBOTF), guide the task force and subcommittees, and respond to emerging issues.
The committee plays a key role in outlining the collective purpose and strategic direction of the Task Force and its subcommittees. It focuses on guiding decision-making and actions to achieve the Task Force’s goals and vision, with an emphasis on collaboration, strategic leadership, and driving positive changes within our communities.
Key Responsibilities:
The Advisory Committee of the GNBOTF brings a wealth of experience and leadership in public health, law enforcement, substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery. Membership includes:
Co-Chair: Stephanie Sloan, Director, New Bedford Health Department
Alternate Co-Chair: Alyssa DaCunha, Assistant Director, New Bedford Health Department
Co-Chair: Jason Thody, Chief of Police, New Bedford Police Department
Members at Large
Holly Alexandre, MD, Southcoast Health
Carl Alves, CEO, Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction (PAACA)
John Silva, Program Director, New Bedford Community Connections Coalition, United Way
Rev. David Lima, InterChurch Council, Greater New Bedford Suicide Prevention
Connie Rocha-Mimoso, SevenHills Director of Community Services
Danielle Brown, Director of Project FAIHR, Steppingstone, Inc.
Tara Pacheco, Project Manager- START, High Point Treatment Center Multi-Service Site
Alisha Souza, Public Health Coordinator, New Bedford Health Department
Iva Brito, Founder and Executive Director, Iva Brito Consultancy
Sub-committees of the Greater New Bedford Opioid Task Force
Four subcommittees meet monthly. Subcommittees generally include at least 6 to 15 external stakeholders. Members represent a wide range of organizations and individuals who are committed to the group’s goal(s). Each subcommittee has specific goals and objectives.
Mission: Bringing together diverse stakeholders to participate in comprehensive, evidence-based prevention efforts to prevent the next generation from initiating opioid use and supporting children impacted by the opioid crisis.
Goals:
Mission: Ensuring the availability, accessibility, coordination, and community awareness of services that engage people who use opioids—including those who have experienced non-fatal overdoses—as partners in reducing the harmful effects of opioid use.
Goals:
Mission: Providing treatment services that are readily available, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed that address the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health needs of the “whole person” and their families through every step of the process and support them during transitions between care providers.
Goals:
Mission: Reinforcing individuals and their families on their chosen paths to recovery through facilitating ongoing connections to resources, services, and support systems that promote resiliency, wellbeing, and empowerment across the life course.
Goals: