United Way of Connecticut
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Norwich CARS Community Conversation
Who we are, what we do and where we're going.

Rocky Hill, Conn. -  The Norwich Coordinated Addiction Recovery System (CARS) brought to you by 2-1-1 CT is hosting a community conversation at Otis Library in Norwich on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 from 9:30-11:00 AM. This event is open to the public and invites community members to learn about a new coordinated addiction recovery program that is being piloted in the greater Norwich area.

In April of 2017, United Way of Connecticut 2-1-1 was awarded a grant from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) to increase resources and training to fight opioid use and overdose in Connecticut. The grant, called "Funding the 2-1-1 Opioid Enhanced Information and Referral Initiative," provided funding for improved access to information and resources for opioid treatment and addiction services available in Connecticut. It enabled 2-1-1 CT, in collaboration with Reliance Health, to pilot Norwich CARS. 
The system offers a coordinated approach to helping individuals access substance use disorder (SUD) recovery services with additional care coordination provided by 2-1-1 and a dedicated Recovery Coach located at Reliance Health. Under Norwich CARS, Norwich social services agencies have been asked to refer individuals with a SUD or who are looking for recovery resources for an individual with a SUD, to the United Way of Connecticut, 2-1-1. Richard Porth, President and CEO of United Way of Connecticut 2-1-1 stated, "We  are proud to partner with Reliance Health and the recovery coaches who are doing tremendous work to support those recovering from substance use disorders."

The December 18, 2018 Community Conversation will provide a holistic overview of Norwich CARS, review current goals and announce exciting next steps which seek to provide an additional level of care coordination that will help more people begin their road to recovery. Please join us!

Norwich CARS Community Conversation 

Where: Otis Library; 261 Main Street, Norwich, CT 06360
When: Tuesday, December 18, 2018 from 9:30 AM- 11:00 AM

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About 2-1-1 Connecticut
2-1-1 Connecticut is a free health and human service information and referral service, with a continuously updated database of more than 4,000 agencies and 40,000 programs and services. Free, confidential assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year online at 211ct.org and over the phone by dialing 2-1-1. 2-1-1 Connecticut has organizational accreditations from the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS), and the contact center is certified by the American Association of Suicidology for crisis intervention.
United Way of Connecticut
1344 Silas Deane Highway
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Phone: (860) 571-7500 Fax: (860) 571-7525
Media Contact
Annie Scully
Phone: (860) 571-7215