On track for impact? A new tool for measuring progress and the impact of opioid abatement funds for kids and families.

Kentucky Youth Advocates launched a new component to the Opioid Data Dashboard on Children and Families today, the Kentucky Opioid Data: Change Over Time Progress Report. 

On more than 20 key measures, community leaders can now see how their county and Area Development District’s data is changing over time. Are the numbers moving in the right direction? Are funds being invested where most needed?

The funds available to Kentucky counties and cities to use to address the opioid epidemic came at a steep cost – with thousands of lives lost and many thousands more impacted. This tool offers another resource for communities to ensure investments are not only addressing immediate needs but also investing in prevention, so we can keep future generations from succumbing to substance use. With a strong mix of funds allocated to prevention in addition to treatment and recovery, we can ensure we aren’t facing the same challenges in 15 years when opioid settlement dollars will likely have ended.

In addition to county and regional data, Kentuckians can view the data over time for the state overall. As the following chart shows, counties can see what direction their county data is moving. They can also compare county data to the region and Kentucky as a whole.

The primary dashboard – the Opioid Data Dashboard on Children and Families – meanwhile continues to report the latest data. It also includes resources for possible solutions that communities can enact to achieve a positive impact on the numbers.

We don’t have to start from scratch to address the harm to children and families from the opioid epidemic. Together, we can take this opportunity with funding to repair the harms and build a stronger future.