The Emergency Medical Services Buprenorphine Use Pilot Program (EMSBUP) supports Local Emergency Medical Services Agencies (LEMSAs) and EMS providers in treating opioid use disorder (OUD) as a manageable medical condition. The program equips paramedics to identify patients needing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and ensures they receive access to care. Participating agencies will implement the EMSBUP model, coordinate with care navigators, evaluate program effectiveness, and provide linkage-to-care options for patients refusing on-scene treatment. Materials, training, and technical assistance will be provided to participating LEMSAs to aid in program implementation.
The program's objectives include assisting prehospital agencies in operationalizing EMSBUP, creating systems for patient referrals to outpatient treatments, and supporting data collection for research on program outcomes. LEMSAs will evaluate performance through de-identified data and monthly metrics as part of the Bridge Patient Outcomes research study. Additional training will focus on navigators, clinicians, and hospital staff involved in the care continuum.
Eligibility for funding is limited to California LEMSAs with at least two years of experience in providing relevant services, such as overdose treatment, abstinence-related symptom management, and naloxone distribution. Agencies must also demonstrate no prior EMSBUP funding and the ability to provide documentation of their experience.
Applications must be submitted by February 14, 2025, at 11:59 PM PT. Interested agencies are encouraged to attend an information session on January 21, 2025, at 9:00 AM PT to learn more about the program. Notifications of awards will be made by March 19, 2025, and the project period will span from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027.
Budget forms, templates, and guidelines for allowable expenses are available, and selected LEMSAs will need to submit supporting financial documents upon award. Additional guidance, FAQs, and application instructions can be accessed through the EMSBUP website or by contacting the program directly at info@bridgetotreatment.org.
This initiative is managed by Bridge, a program of the Public Health Institute, which promotes health equity and quality of life in California and beyond. Interested organizations are encouraged to apply and take advantage of resources to enhance their response to OUD in their communities.
