Skip to content

HCAT

The Hampden County Addiction Taskforce (HCAT)

The Hampden County Addiction Taskforce (HCAT) is a collaboration of community resources, law enforcement (local and state), health care institutions, service providers, schools and community coalitions, individuals and families whose goal is to focus on a county-wide approach to address addiction, drug overdoses, and prevention. The Hampden County Addiction Taskforce was founded by the Hampden District Attorney’s Office and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office.

Most importantly, the Hampden County Addiction Task Force is here to help!

If you or someone you know is in need of a hand battling the disease of addiction, we can help with everything from a friendly conversation to Narcan and on-demand Substance Use Disorder treatment. We can also help you navigate your treatment options, insurance coverage- whatever you need to get yourself on a path to recovery.

Call or text the Rapid Response and Connection Team for no-strings-attached assistance at 413-312-8003.

The Hampden County Addiction Taskforce (HCAT)'s current objectives are as follows:

  • To develop a real-time overdose surveillance and analytic (ROSA) system that can provide weekly reports and/or formatted data to approved stakeholders in a secure platform.
  • To study and assess the necessary treatment capacity needed county-wide
  • To develop standardized messaging for addiction and addiction-related issues
  • To provide a forum for law enforcement, health care institutions, service providers, schools, and community coalitions to share best practices in prevention and education

In 2020, The Hampden County Sheriff’s Office received funding from the Department of Justice; the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program (COSSAP) Grant. With this funding, the Rapid Response and Connection Team was developed. The Rapid Response and Connection Team consists of a Program Coordinator, Sheriff’s Deputies, and a Recovery Coach. The Rapid Response and Connection Team provides community outreach to individuals in Hampden County within 24-72 hours post an overdose occurrence and to those who are at-risk. The Rapid Response and Connection Team utilizes the Critical Incident Management System (CIMS) to track real-time overdose data throughout Hampden County.

During community outreach, The Rapid Response and Connection Team connects individuals to immediate services, case-management, follow-up and meets individuals where they are currently at. The Rapid Response and Connection Team provides support and treatment resources as well as harm reduction tools such as Narcan. Team members provide resource packets to individuals and family/friends. These resource packets contain information on MOUD, Detox/CSS/TSS, Recovery Centers, Great Samaritan Law, and more.

At-Risk Referrals

The Rapid Response and Connection Team provides support to individuals who may be struggling with substance use and/or at-risk of an overdose. Individuals who are at-risk can be referred to the Rapid Response and Connection Team by self-referral, family member, friend, community partner, etc. The Rapid Response and Connection Team can support these individuals in exploring treatment options and other support services. At-Risk Referrals are a proactive approach that gives the Rapid Response and Connection Team the ability to provide support to individuals and families before a potential overdose.

To make a referral for a consultation or services, please fill out this form:

HCAT Referrals

Name(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Address(Required)
Primary Language(Required)
Areas of concern
Do you or the person you are referring need Narcan?(Required)

Narcan Training Video

MA Substance Use Helpline

Tapestry

Learn2Cope- (For Family/Friends)

AISS-Logo

The AISS program assists formerly incarcerated and non-justice involved individuals in all aspects of their lives with a variety of services such as: recovery from substances, mental health concerns, lack of identifying documents, employment obstacles, financial concerns, limited education, poor housing situations (or lack of housing), etc. AISS is the bridge to various wrap-around services needed by many of our members.

To become a member you must be at least 18 years old or older and reside in Hampden County. Our walk-in registration hours are: Monday – Friday from 9 a.m.- 11 a.m. at 736 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109 (WW Johnson Life Center). We can be contacted at (413) 781-2050 Ext. 8300.

~Enter through the gated parking lot located at 28 Buckingham Street.

AISS Program: Services at a Glance

  • SafeLink Wireless
  • Clinical Support / Behavioral Health Network
  • Healthcare
  • Parenting Group—Men / Children’s Study Home
  • SNAP / Food Bank of Western Mass
  • Anger & Beyond: Specific groups for women (Mon.) & men (Wed.)
  • Case Management: Intensive support assists clients to anticipate challenges and navigate their unique re-entry pathway, as supported by reentry staff and guided by individual Service Plans. Assistance with ID’s, housing, clothing, family matters, relapse prevention, lifestyle change, navigating DCF, and other activities.
  • CHESS: Community Housing that is Earned, Safe, and Supportive
  • This highly structured long-term program offers a real pathway to residential stability through clearly identified benchmarks, support, and individual accountability.
  • Education: Full range of classes, well-equipped “smart classroom,” educators specializing in teaching justice-involved students: ABE, ESOL, HiSET, Pre-HiSET, Academic Advising, Computer Skills, and support for transition into college.
  • Employment Support
  • Grief & Loss Group
  • Men Stepping Up for Change
  • Mentorship
  • Resource & Support Group
  • Women’s Support Group

http://hcsdma.org/aiss-3/

More Community Resources and Agencies

AdCare

 We offer a wide array of treatment options at AdCare. We offer a wide range of addiction treatment programs to accommodate each patient’s unique situation. Our inpatient, outpatient, and family services are run by a compassionate team of addiction treatment professionals who are ready to guide you on the road to recovery.

https://adcare.com/

866-472-2598

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in Western Massachusetts

https://westernmassaa.org/

(413) 532-2111

Behavioral Health Network (BHN)

BHN’s mission is to help individuals, families and communities improve the quality of life for those with behavioral and developmental challenges.

All BHN programs offer support; guidance and tools that help individuals make positive, life-altering changes. Whether a person has intellectual or physical disabilities, struggles with drug or alcohol addiction, or is challenged by mental illness, BHN helps people develop more fulfilling lives.

https://www.bhninc.org/

Better Life Partners

“We help any underserved individual achieve a healthier life filled with belonging, love, and purpose. Our medical and behavioral health team will support you in your community and with virtual care.”

Substance use treatment

Medication (for example, Suboxone), therapy, and coaching for successful recovery

Medical & behavioral health care

Physicians, coaches, and therapists working together on your side

https://betterlifepartners.com/

866-679-0831 

BHN Carlson Recovery Center

https://www.bhninc.org/locations/471-chestnut-street

413-733-1431

CleanSlate

We provide medication-assisted treatment and an individualized treatment plan for each patient suffering from opioid addiction. Our physicians and care coordinators work closely with other medical and behavioral health providers and social services organizations to support every aspect of our patients’ recovery.

https://www.cleanslatecenters.com/

413-736-1458

Hope for Holyoke Recovery Support Center

Hope for Holyoke Recovery Center welcomes all people in recovery from substance use and those affected by substance use. Services are free and provide peer-to-peer supports including peer facilitated support; relapse prevention and tobacco cessation support groups; social events; access to computers for job readiness/job search activities; and advocacy and recovery coaching.

Volunteer opportunities are available for members who are committed to their recovery and actively participate in the center. Becoming a member is free!

https://www.gandaracenter.org/hope-for-holyoke

413-561-1020

Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline

Seeking treatment and support is the first step toward recovery. Being in recovery means a life of greater freedom and possibility. Let us help you take a step toward recovery. Hope is here.

The Helpline is the only statewide, public resource for finding substance use treatment, recovery, and problem gambling services. Helpline services are free and confidential. Our caring, trained specialists will help you understand the treatment system and your options.

https://helplinema.org

800-327-5050

Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access

Up-to-date bed availability for detox and residential treatment programs

(617) 790-4000

mabhaccess.com

MA Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR)

(617) 423-6627

moar-recovery.org

MiraVista Behavioral Health Center

“MiraVista is a new behavioral health care organization formed to create additional inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services in Western Massachusetts. We opened our doors Spring 2021 and are providing adult and adolescent inpatient psychiatric services and acute care and outpatient services for addiction treatment.”

https://www.miravistabhc.care/

413-264-0819

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meetings

https://nerna.org/

(866) 624-3578

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

(413) 786-9139

https://www.namiwm.org/

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

(800) 273-8255

Never Use Alone

If you are going to use by yourself, call us! You will be asked for your first name, location, and the number you are calling from. An operator will stay on the line with you while you use. If you stop responding after using, the operator will notify emergency services of an “unresponsive person” at your location.

Our mission is to provide a lifesaving point of contact for people who use drugs, to help increase their odds of surviving an overdose/fentanyl poisoning. We will never shame, judge, or preach about stopping. If you are interested in getting help, we have resources available for you, but we will never push them on you.

https://neverusealone.com/

800-484-3731

 

Samaritans Statewide Helpline

(877) 870-4673

 

SaVida Health

Opioid & Alcohol Addiction Treatment

“At SaVida Health, we treat addiction as a chronic disease, not a personal weakness. We work to heal the whole person by providing comprehensive medication management, behavioral healthcare, counseling, and patient support.”

https://savidahealth.com/

413-732-0040

 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

(800) 662-4357

https://www.samhsa.gov/

Substance Use Prevention Education (SUPE) 

Substance Use Prevention Education is a comprehensive drug education platform for individuals of all ages. SUPE has helpful articles and engaging videos for kids, teens, parents, and teachers. This educational content with tailored curriculums is designed by professionals in education. The group provides resources for employers, aging adults, and industry professionals; it is a platform for everyone.

Available in both English and Spanish, SUPE is committed to expanding its language offerings, ensuring that people across different regions and countries can access vital information about substance abuse. Importantly, all the resources provided by SUPE are entirely free of charge. The platform actively encourages suggestions and feedback to continuously enhance its quality and effectiveness in providing top-notch drug education.

https://www.addicted.org/supe/ 

Signs of an Opioid Overdose & When to Use Naloxone

Tapestry

 Harm Reduction:

We provide access to healthcare without stigma for people who use drugs. Our harm reduction and outreach services are free, confidential, and available on a walk-in basis. We offer: overdose prevention education, safer use counseling and supplies. Narcan training and access, STD, HIV and Hep C testing and more.

We Provide:

Narcan (naloxone) access and training

Community education on recognizing, preventing, and reversing an overdose

Referrals to drug treatment programs and medical care

https://www.tapestryhealth.org/

413-363-9472; Springfield MA

413-315-3732; Holyoke, MA

 

Valor Recovery Center

Valor Recovery Center is a safe place where people from different backgrounds, life experiences and gender identities come together. Volunteers and staff work to build a judgment-free community that is peer-driven, recovery-centered and embraces all pathways of recovery.

https://www.gandaracenter.org/valor-springfield-recovery-center

413-507-3635

Advocacy to Support Families

 Allies in Recovery

 Allies in Recovery can show you a better way. We are an online learning platform for families whose loved one struggles with drugs or alcohol. We provide community, personalized guidance, and a scientifically-proven program to give you the skill set you’ll need to help your loved one. Free for MA residents.

https://alliesinrecovery.net/

413-272-8170

 

Al-anon/Alateen

Al‑Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. By sharing common experiences and applying the Al-Anon principles, families and friends of alcoholics can bring positive changes to their individual situations, whether or not the alcoholic admits the existence of a drinking problem or seeks help.

Alateen, a part of the Al-Anon Family Groups, is a fellowship of young people (mostly teenagers) whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking whether they are in your life drinking or not. By attending Alateen, teenagers meet other teenagers with similar situations. Alateen is not a religious program and there are no fees or dues to belong to it.

https://al-anon.org/

413-782-3406

Family Support Group

Family members struggling with a loved one battling addiction, not a grief group

Our Lady of Fatima Parish

438 Winsor St

Ludlow, MA 01056

Contact: Maureen at 413-563-6226

Group days/time: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6 pm

 

Learn2Cope

Learn to Cope is a peer-led support network that offers education, resources, and hope for family members and friends who have loved ones affected by substance use disorder.

Founded by Joanne Peterson in 2004, the organization has grown to include over 11,000 members and has become a nationally recognized model for peer support and prevention programming. If you’re not sure where to begin, we’re here for you and encourage you to get in touch.

https://learn2cope.org/

508-738-5148

Nar-Anon

(800) 477-6291

nar-anon.org

 

Smart Recovery Family and Friends

“Are you looking for resources to help you support someone struggling with addiction? Is someone else’s addiction negatively affecting you? Perhaps you’re seeking an alternative to tough love? We provide effective, easy-to-learn tools to help both you and your loved one. Our methods are based on the tools of SMART Recovery and CRAFT Therapy (Community Reinforcement & Family Training). Our meetings — available both in-person and online — provide concerned significant others the tools they need to effectively support their loved one, without supporting the addictive behavior. These tools also help Family & Friends better cope with their loved one’s situation and regain their peace of mind.”

(440) 951-5357

smartrecovery.org/family

 

Support After Death by Overdose (SADOD)

SADOD provides resources, information, and assistance to people throughout Massachusetts who have been affected by the death of someone they care about from a substance-use-related cause. Our focus is on increasing the capacity and effectiveness of peer grief support for bereaved people, frontline care providers, and people in recovery or struggling with drug use.

https://sadod.org/