UnityPoint Health-Meriter and Safe Communities partnered this year to pilot an onsite, enhanced Recovery Coach program in an effort to support those who have experiences and overdose emergency or struggle with addiction. 
 
The on-site program is staffed with recovery coaches and peer support specialists. Recovery coaches are individuals with lived experience that are professionally trained to be long-term allies to individuals wanting to change their mental health or substance use. 
 
For patients interested in receiving support, Safe Communities coaches will work with patients, families and hospital staff to reduce the harm of their substance use and assist in recovery. The program will be open and available during the busiest hours of the emergency department, which are determined based on drug overdose treatment data. 
 
Meriter and Safe Communities also partner to provide community-based fentanyl-reduction kits. Through this work, over 100 free and lifesaving doses of naloxone are available in and around Dane County.