California Youth Opioid Response (YOR CA) IV Project
YOR California strengthens statewide, youth-centered opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery systems by expanding access to coordinated, evidence-based services, including MOUD, for youth and young adults most at risk.
Project Start/End Dates: 2018 and ongoing
Geographical Area(s) of Focus: California-Statewide
Funder: The YOR (Youth Opioid Response) California project is supported by the California’s State Opioid Response (SOR) IV grant program funded by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). This grant was provided to DHCS by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Team Members: Victor Kogler, Wendy Millis, Hope Alvidrez, Liz Stanley-Salazar (consultant)
Project Overview
YOR California is a statewide initiative focused on strengthening prevention, treatment, and recovery services for youth and young adults at risk of opioid misuse and overdose. The project increases access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) when clinically appropriate and supports coordinated, youth-centered responses across systems of care.
Why This Work Matters
Youth, transition-age youth, and young adults continue to face heightened risks related to opioid use, overdose, and barriers to timely, developmentally appropriate care. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated, multi-system approaches that integrate prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery supports while engaging families and community partners.
How This Work Is Done
Since the launch of California’s State Opioid Response in 2018, CIBHS—working in partnership with Advocates for Human Potential—has administered the Youth Opioid Response Project through four rounds of State Opioid Response funding.
DHCS has contracted with the YOR California Team to administer and implement the fourth round of YOR California grant projects. Through this work, YOR California promotes the development, coordination, and strengthening of local multi-system networks and fosters partnerships among agencies serving youth, young adults, and their families.
What This Work Delivers
Prevention & Early Intervention
Supporting upstream strategies that reduce opioid misuse and overdose risk among youth and young adults.
Treatment & Recovery
Expanding access to developmentally appropriate treatment and recovery supports, including MOUD when clinically appropriate.
Systems Coordination
Strengthening cross-sector collaboration among behavioral health, education, justice system, healthcare, and community-based organizations.
Capacity Building
Investing in local organizations to deliver effective, culturally responsive services statewide.
