New specialized multi-sector team created

CARMEL, NY – Putnam County has taken another step in its ongoing efforts to address the opioid crisis with the establishment of a Suicide and Overdose Fatality Review (SOFR) Team. The newly formed, multi-disciplinary group is designed to conduct in-depth reviews of select local deaths in an effort to better understand and prevent future tragedies.

Earlier this month, the SOFR Team held a preparatory drill using a fictional case to simulate the overdose fatality review process. The exercise allowed team members to assess their readiness and engage in the type of careful, collaborative analysis required to address the many complex factors that can contribute to preventable deaths.

Team leadership includes Director of Mental Health Paul Tang, Dual Recovery Coordinator Lauren Johnson, and Director of the Child Advocacy Center Marla Behler, all of the Putnam County Department of Mental Health; Shanna Siegel of the Putnam County Department of Health; and Megan Castellano of Guardian Homefront.

“While fewer lives are being lost to overdose, that may not necessarily mean fewer people are at risk,” said Shanna Siegel, RN, Education Supervisor at the Department of Health and co-coordinator of the SOFR Team. “The rate of opioid overdose deaths in Putnam varies year to year. We are also monitoring non-fatal overdoses, which increase a person’s likelihood of experiencing a fatal overdose. This known risk was a catalyst for our creation of the SOFR team.”

Lauren Johnson, Dual Recovery Coordinator for Putnam County, emphasized the importance of using real-life experiences to inform systemic change. “When an individual is referred to me after a non-fatal overdose or other substance-involved crisis, I work with them and their families to help connect them to appropriate support and identify treatment barriers. Establishing a fatality review team gives us an opportunity to analyze some of these struggles I see daily and make applicable recommendations for systems-level change.”

Marla Behler, Director of the Child Advocacy Center, drew on her experience with the County’s Child Fatality Review Team. “Preventable deaths, including overdose and suicide, devastate families. Examining in closer detail the facets of a person’s life and their interactions with our system of care is one small way we can honor the memories of those lost while working to prevent these tragedies in the future,” she said.

The SOFR initiative is supported by the Putnam County BR;DGE Alliance in collaboration with state and federal partners, including the Overdose Response Strategy (ORS)—a national partnership between public health and public safety agencies that aims to reduce overdoses through data-sharing and innovative prevention strategies.

New York ORS team members Lisa Worden, Public Health Analyst with the CDC Foundation, and Jim Hawley, Drug Intelligence Officer with NY/NJ HIDTA, provided support for the mock review. In a joint statement, they said, “Putnam County’s mock OFR showcased a dynamic partnership in action. Their multidisciplinary team engaged in a thoughtful and compassionate analysis of the simulated case, reflecting a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the complexities of overdose response. They approached the exercise as a hands-on opportunity to build critical skills and foster meaningful connections essential for conducting real-life OFRs. We were honored to collaborate with such an inspiring team. Their commitment, synergy and robust cross-sector collaboration are impressive and position them as a leading example of an OFR team in the state.”

Paul Tang, Director of Mental Health and SOFR Team Facilitator, highlighted the team’s mission. “This team is charged with identifying gaps and improvements to drive meaningful local interventions, and we remain committed to person-centered approaches,” said Tang. “We accomplish all of this through honest dialogue about our respective agency roles and always honoring the life of each person, and respecting surviving loved ones.”

“This initiative demonstrates our County’s proactive approach to confronting one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time,” said County Executive Kevin Byrne. “We are proud to support this collaborative work, which is rooted in data, compassion, and a shared commitment to saving lives and strengthening our communities.”

The BR;DGE Alliance has expanded since it was launched in March 2023. The steering committee of the alliance meets monthly and includes representatives from Putnam County’s Department of Health; Department of Mental Health, Social Services and the Youth Bureau; Coroner’s Office; Sheriff’s Office; Probation; and Bureau of Emergency Services, in addition to the Child Advocacy Center, HIDTA, The Prevention Council of Putnam, People USA, and The Philipstown Behavioral Health Hub. The expanded alliance, which now meets twice annually, includes the following additional Putnam County agencies: Department of Corrections, Veterans Service Agency, Officer for Senior Resources, and the Office for Individuals with Disabilities. Community partners represent local organizations including Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES, Putnam County school districts, law enforcement agencies, Putnam-Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center, MHA Putnam, CoveCare Center, Green Chimneys, Putnam Community Action Partnership, and Putnam Hospital. The mission of the group is to is to create a sustainable and equitable community of providers and residents to expand person-centered services, enhance awareness, and promote health and safety for people who use drugs.

The BR;DGE Alliance encourages anyone struggling or who loves someone struggling with mental health or substance use challenges to reach out for help. Resources for Putnam residents can be found at their website: https://putnamcountyny.com/thebridge