Tameka Williams, Lauren Henderson

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), recognizing the opportunity for local probation and parole agencies to intervene with individuals on community supervision with OUD, launched the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Use Site-based Program (COSSUP). COSSUP’s goal is to reduce overdose deaths among Pennsylvanians on probation and parole by building the capacity of local communities to support these individuals.

The COSSUP project involves four phases of work: (1) listening sessions with community to learn more about the impact of substance use disorder in the local community; (2) needs assessment of five participating communities including identifying assets and gaps to address SUD; (3) developing strategic action plan to build capacity of communities and fill the gap, and; (4) the implementation of the action plan.

This report provides an overview of how the COSSUP project enhances equity across the five participating Pennsylvania communities and discusses how it also serves as a culturally responsive model for addressing substance use, particularly among the Black community.