DHHS seeking new Hampshire HOPE coordinator

NORTHAMPTON — The Department of Health and Human Services is looking for a new Hampshire HOPE coordinator after the position recently became vacant.

The city announced that it seeks someone who will help support the organization’s regional efforts.

Hampshire HOPE is a multi-sector coalition addressing the rise in prescription opioid misuse, heroin use, addiction and overdose deaths in the Hampshire County Region through policy, practice and systems change. The coordinator position will lead coalition-building, strategic planning, community engagement, grant development and partnership efforts that help advance evidence-based prevention and public health initiatives throughout the region.

DHHS Director of Prevention Taylor McDonough told Reminder Publishing any ideal candidate would include someone who has an interest and background in public health, has been personally impacted by opioid use and is interested in working with a diverse group of partners.

“The coalition is made up of representatives from health care, public safety, the justice system, education, local legislators, youth health programming and numerous community organizations, which allows the HOPE Coordinator to form really deep connections throughout the region,” said McDonough. “A key tenant of the coordinator would also be someone who recognizes the intersections of what we refer to as the Social Determinants of Health — how things like stable housing, transportation, job opportunities and access to health care all play a role in how someone is impacted by substance abuse disorder.”

To McDonough’s point, the position also offers the opportunity to work with municipalities, health care providers, schools, community organizations and residents to help create healthier communities through collaboration and systems change. The role of the HOPE Coordinator is really to be a facilitator for this type of change, according to McDonough. The coordinator will meet with partners and work with those who have lived or living experience, and identify strengths, challenges and recommendations for key regional leaders.

Potential goals and outcomes could include local policy change, public awareness campaigns, grants, and decreasing the stigma and misunderstanding that still exists around substance use and recovery.

McDonough said that the coordinator will also deal with the Opioid Settlement Funding that cities and towns are receiving through national settlements with Rx manufacturers and distributors.

“Historically, Hampshire HOPE has helped to collect and share local data on overdose and drug trends, as well as support the capacity of boards of health and municipal leaders in promoting harm reduction across communities,” said McDonough. “More recently, Hampshire HOPE has also conducted regional surveys and interviews in partnership with Tapestry, to hear directly from community members on what types of programs and interventions should be prioritized with these funds. I can imagine that in the next few years — as funds will continue through 2038 — that Hampshire HOPE will continue to support local communities on how funds can be spent, what evidence can tell us from past experiences, and how we might be able to collaborate across the county to regionalize certain initiatives.”

The application deadline for this position is Friday, June 19, and the plan is to conduct interviews during the following weeks and fill the position sometime over the next month, according to McDonough. For complete position details and application information, visit governmentjobs.com/careers/northamptonma.

McDonough said that anyone with questions or looking to learn more can also reach out to DHHS directly at 413-587-1214.