From 10,000 Feet to on the Street: Tackling Gaps in Addressing the Opioid Epidemic With Cross-Agency Data Sharing

Data is a powerful tool that supports policy implementation and improves decision-making using valuable insights. Data-sharing is a valuable way to connect disparate systems working toward the same goal by stimulating systems mapping, new levels of discussions regarding crisis issues that exist at the intersection of different systems, and the creation of solution-focused initiatives. One challenge faced when attempting to address the opioid epidemic was the inability to assess data from across various disciplines and organizations that would provide a more complete picture.

This session will explore how Virginia took on that challenge by creating the Framework for Addiction Analysis and Community Transformation (FAACT). This secure data-sharing platform combines previously siloed data to generate insights, identify contributing factors, monitor near real-time impacts on public health and public safety, and evaluate the most effective ways for communities to make actionable and informed decisions on how to address and successfully curb the growing opioid and substance use epidemic. FAACT has data collected across many disciplines including healthcare, social services, public safety, corrections, recovery and treatment, and community coalitions. This system has become a critical tool for the Commonwealth to respond to a dynamic challenge that continually shifts and presents differently from community to community. Presenters will demonstrate the platform's capabilities, successes, and lessons learned by discussing the four key processes focused on in developing data assets for use in making data-driven decisions.