Southeast HIA

The Southeast High Impact Area (SE HIA) is jointly comprised of Hamilton County and the surrounding counties served by the Southeast Regional Office (SERO).

The 10 SERO counties include Bledsoe, Bradley, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, and Sequatchie, led by SERO’s Substance Misuse Response Coordinator.

Hamilton County Health Department’s Overdose Prevention Program Manager leads the SE HIA on behalf of the Hamilton County/Chattanooga Metro.

Southeast Regional Office

Overdose Monitoring and Response Plan

The Overdose Monitoring and Response (OMAR) Plan outlines the procedures for identifying, monitoring, and addressing overdose spikes or significant changes in overdose patterns. Local planning enables timely responses to overdose events by leveraging data and engaging community partners.

Multisector Partnerships

The SERO HIA continually engages with multi-sector partners across the region, including public safety/law enforcement, healthcare, faith-based organizations, schools and higher education, mental health, substance use treatment and recovery, nonprofits, community advocates, and the private sector. The SERO HIA plans and implements local responses to overdoses in the region by providing prevention education, harm reduction, and public health outreach. In addition, the SERO currently has a multi-sector task force that actively monitors overdoses and coordinates targeted community responses to unusual or heightened overdose activity within these communities.

Community Outreach, Prevention, and Education

The SERO HIA works with local coalitions, public health professionals, and community stakeholders to increase awareness about overdose prevention, substance use, and harm reduction strategies. These initiatives include education at public events and the distribution of naloxone kits.

STEPS Project

The Southeast Tennessee Emergency Department Protocols for substance use disorder (SUD) or ‘STEPS’ serves 19 hospital Emergency Departments (EDs) through public health outreach. The project aims to support the implementation of best practices in screening for substance use, referrals to treatment and services, peer navigation and recovery services, access to naloxone, and protocols for medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in the ED setting. Project partners include the Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services (CADAS) and a Physician Consultant.

Linkage to Care

SERO’s HIA RISE (Recovery, Information, Support, and Engagement) Navigator meets one-on-one with individuals, offering prevention education to reduce the risk of drug overdose while linking clients to a range of substance use services and resources. Navigation is currently available in three counties (McMinn County, Meigs County, and Rhea County), with future plans to expand to other counties in the Region.

Please see linkage to care resources here.

Hamilton County Health Department

Overdose Monitoring and Response Plan

The Overdose Monitoring and Response (OMAR) Plan outlines the procedures for identifying, monitoring, and addressing overdose spikes or significant changes in overdose patterns. The county-level planning enables timely responses to overdose events by leveraging data and engaging community partners.

Addiction and Dependency Committee

The Hamilton County Health Department’s (HCHD) Addiction and Dependency (A&D) Committee fosters collaboration between stakeholders to increase accessibility to treatment and recovery services within the community. While located in Hamilton County, the A&D Committee’s efforts extend beyond the county level, influencing organizations and providers across the Southeast Region. The committee facilitates critical discussions, shares vital data, and strengthens regional partnerships to enhance response efforts.

Community Outreach, Prevention, and Education

The Hamilton County Overdose Prevention Program prioritizes community and professional collaboration to reduce overdoses through education and outreach efforts. Additionally, the program promotes naloxone access and training through public engagement and health department initiatives. Also, to support data-driven decision-making, the program compiles and distributes comprehensive reports that help to shape effective overdose prevention efforts in Hamilton County.

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