Opioids
Helping communities respond to the opioid crisis.
Whether it’s building grant programs from the ground up or amplifying the voices of people on the front lines, we help our clients put resources to work effectively, transparently and with purpose.
PSC has helped partners in the health, local government and legislative sectors create and execute successful strategies to address the social stigma and legal barriers surrounding harm reduction.
Our services include:
Featured Work
Michigan Overdose Prevention Coalition
Services: Project staffing, program implementation, stakeholder engagement, marketing and communications
Our work establishing and staffing the 80-person Michigan Overdose Prevention Coalition has focused on reducing overdose deaths in Michigan through research and awareness-building around harm reduction tools such as naloxone and syringe service programs.
Through quarterly educational sessions and monthly steering committee meetings, PSC provides ongoing knowledge sharing about this deadly epidemic. We bring together coalition members from across the state and elected officials to advocate for harm reduction bills by organizing the coalition’s major annual event, Harm Reduction Advocacy Day.
To further connect this work to those who benefit the most from understanding it, PSC develops municipal-level messaging and informational resources for regional planning entities in support of transparency and distribution of opioid settlement funding.
Enhancing advocacy through lived experience
Although many Michiganders have lost loved ones to opioid addiction, stigma persists. In addition to connecting harm reduction advocates with policymakers, PSC has supported clients in raising awareness around harm reduction legislation and developed essential communications for coalition members, including press releases, harm reduction marketing, and informational videos that lift up the stories of those who have experienced addiction.
Evaluating The Implementation of Emergency Department Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (ED MOUD)
Services: Program evaluation, stakeholder engagement, reporting, storytelling
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan recognized the urgent need to improve treatment for opioid use disorder in emergency departments in 2020. So they sought the expertise of PSC to better understand and address this critical issue. We first evaluated the Michigan Opioid Partnership’s ED MOUD initiative, uncovering how six Michigan emergency departments were implementing treatment and connecting patients to community care. Four years later, we dug deeper into pervasive barriers to success. We surveyed hospital staff, facilitated small group discussions, and identified practical, high-impact solutions. From a formal report and statewide presentations to visual summaries that drive advocacy, our work is helping advance equitable, evidence-based care for people with opioid use disorder across Michigan. PSC continues to work with the Community Foundation to evaluate monthly and annual reporting documents that hospitals submitted during the ED MOUD grant program.
Emergency Department Opioid Response Survey and Dissemination of Findings
Services: Survey design and administration, stakeholder engagement, data analysis
To help Michigan respond more effectively to the opioid crisis, PSC partnered with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to uncover how emergency departments across the state handle opioid overdoses. Our survey revealed critical gaps in treatment, from inconsistent screening tools to limited use of medication-assisted treatment. We transformed complex statewide data into clear, actionable insights, highlighting rural and urban differences, treatment trends and opportunities for equity. Through communication briefs, outreach materials and targeted presentations, we helped inform hospital policy and equip advocates with the tools drive meaningful change.
Opioid Settlement County Survey
Services: Survey design and administration, data analysis
To track how opioid settlement dollars are being put to work in counties across Michigan, the Michigan Association of Counties partnered with PSC to design and field the 2024 Opioid Settlement County Reporting Survey. Our analysis revealed how efforts have evolved since 2023 and provided insight into what counties are doing today to plan for and use these critical funds. We produced a clear, visual snapshot of statewide progress through a public report, formal presentation and interactive data visualization featured on MAC’s website, helping leaders and communities stay informed and accountable.
"Their expertise ensured that we gathered meaningful data to better understand how these critical resources are being allocated and used."
-Michigan Association of Counties
Our Services
Managing a comprehensive grant funding program takes time, tools, and expertise that’s not always available with existing staff and resources. PSC can support the design, development and coordination of the grantmaking process by collaborating with project staff and advisory panel members to craft an approach that aligns with opioid settlement fund policies and guidelines.
Our services
Capacity Building for grant implementation
Managing a comprehensive grant funding program takes time, tools, and expertise that’s not always available with existing staff and resources. PSC can support the design, development and coordination of the grantmaking process by collaborating with project staff and advisory panel members to craft an approach that aligns with opioid settlement fund policies and guidelines.
We help you:
- Design and manage grantmaking processes that align with local, state and federal guidelines
- Provide outreach materials and technical assistance to ensure applicants are able to submit high-quality proposals
- Choose and use the right grant management system to track project information and support grant reporting requirements
Engagement that listens first
Effective solutions start with lived experiences. Genuine community involvement is key for the success and sustainability of opioid response initiatives. PSC works with clients to identify and engage a diverse range of people, from individuals with lived experience to healthcare providers and community organizations, so that community needs shape every step of the response.
We produce customized engagement strategies that:
- Prioritize transparency and inclusion, including developing and facilitating small group listening sessions, one-on-one interviews and advisory committees
- Strengthen public trust and ensure the initiatives reflect the voices and needs of people with opioid use disorder
- Facilitate open conversations with people most affected by the opioid crisis
Storytelling to build trust
Data explains the what — storytelling explains the why. PSC composes compelling narratives that humanize the numbers, foster public trust and elevate visibility to combat the opioid crisis. By proactively sharing success stories and community impact, we demonstrate accountability and amplify real-world impact.
We develop communications that:
- Turn data into human stories to illustrate impact and build support
- Educate and inform different audiences through tools like websites, press releases, data visualizations and social media content that bring the work to life
- Help communities see the impact of their investments and how it saves lives
Evaluation that drives action
Good data combined with great evaluation drives change. Effectively leveraging opioid settlement funds requires a robust evaluation framework to satisfy regulatory requirements while clearly demonstrating program outcomes. PSC specializes in designing and implementing comprehensive evaluation plans that go beyond compliance.
We provide support to:
- Build frameworks and implement evaluations that meet state and federal reporting requirements and track meaningful performance indicators
- Assess the effectiveness of funded programs and produce data-driven insights to inform future strategies
- Provide evidence to showcase impact and support future investment