Most adults with opioid use disorders (OUDs) started using opioids before the age of 25, with one-third of them before the age of 18, and in California, nearly 22 percent of youth have misused opioid pain relievers at least once by the 11th grade.

Across the United States, most youth who could benefit from education and addiction treatment do not receive them. Factors contributing to the underuse of these tools to treat youth include misinformation, stigma, a deficit of waiver-certified pediatricians, and an insufficient number of addiction medicine specialists.

YOR California aims to strengthen capacity and increase access to medications for the treatment of OUDs and to reduce opioid overdose related death among youth through evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery services. YOR California also supports prevention, treatment, and services to address stimulant misuse and stimulant use disorders (StUDs) among youth.

The YOR California team recognizes that barriers and silos often prevent the comprehensive interventions youth require and the range of settings which can, and should, serve as access points for youth. Therefore, YOR California focuses on services for youth that are culturally appropriate. These include positive youth development and youth-appropriate engagement strategies, screening and assessments normed for age groups, individual and group counseling using age-appropriate strategies and materials, and case management and recovery support services designed for youth and their families. In addition, YOR California supports outreach and engagement activities to successfully reach youth and their families through tailored communication vehicles and strategies that will resonate with youth. 

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Community Services Division, Federal Grants Branch included youth access as a part of the MAT Expansion 2.0 program. DHCS has contracted with the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) and Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) to continue YOR California through a second grant cycle.

YOR California welcomes your questions, responses, and involvement. Please email them at YORCalifornia@ahpnet.com