SAFER

In 2021, the State of Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services awarded Franklin County a grant for the S.A.F.E.R. (Safety. Acceptance. Focus. Engagement. Resilience.) program. S.A.F.E.R. houses a multidisciplinary team of individuals who provide a non-judgmental approach to harm reduction and the disease of addiction. The peer-led deflection model provides walk-in harm reduction, education, free naloxone and fentanyl test strips, and direct linkage to substance use disorder treatment. Residents can walk into S.A.F.E.R. and be linked to treatment at any level of care, will screen residents and make referrals to providers best suited to an individual’s specific needs. The team will assist with the intake and coordination of logistics to get residents to treatment. Once placed, the team will follow up with the resident for at least 90 days after placement to ensure stabilization and provision of support services.

Residents seeking services may not have access to basic items required for treatment acceptance and could present a barrier to seeking treatment. S.A.F.E.R. provides services to quickly address needs including birth certificates, hygiene/clothing items, phone chargers, and in partnership with Job & Family Services, the rapid processing of food and medical benefit applications.

S.A.F.E.R. is located at 280 Reeb Ave., Columbus, OH, 43207. Walk-ins are available Monday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm, and peers can accommodate for appointments after hours. Call (614)-525-2112 for more information.