Guiding Patients with Compassion Through Substance Use Recovery

Health care access

San Fernando Valley

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

We seek to address the critical gap in compassionate, sustained care for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) who often present in emergency departments. Despite the availability of effective treatments like Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT), many face systemic barriers such as stigma, lack of follow-up, and unmet social needs that hinder recovery. Patient Access Coordinator is embedded in Emergency Department to provide immediate, non-judgmental support, initiate MAT, and connect patients to ongoing care. This whole-person approach improves outcomes, builds trust, and supports long-term recovery. However, the sustainability of these programs is challenged by limited and inconsistent funding. Our goal is to secure support for the Patient Access Coordinator program to ensure continued access to this critical service for our most vulnerable patients, bridging the gap between emergency care and lasting recovery.

This grant will support the expansion and sustainability of our Patient Access Coordinator program in the Emergency Department at Adventist Health Glendale. The program is designed to provide immediate, compassionate, and non-stigmatizing support for individuals presenting with substance use disorders (SUDs) or co-occurring behavioral health conditions.
The Patient Access Coordinator serves as a consistent point of contact for vulnerable patients, building trust through trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and harm reduction education. They collaborate with clinicians to initiate Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) when appropriate and work to address social determinants of health, such as transportation, housing instability, and access to behavioral health services.
Crucially, the coordinator ensures warm handoffs to community-based care, strengthening continuity of care beyond the hospital walls. This grant will support staffing, training, and operational infrastructure to ensure the coordinator remains embedded in our ED and fully equipped to guide patients through their recovery journey with dignity, empathy, and personalized care.

Los Angeles County is home to nearly 10 million residents, with an estimated 1.48 million experiencing substance use disorders (SUDs) faces a pressing need for compassionate, coordinated care. Our Patient Access Coordinator program meets this need by reducing stigma, building trust, and guiding patients from the Emergency Department to long-term treatment and recovery.
By addressing root causes like transportation, housing instability, and behavioral health needs, we help reduce repeat Emergency Department visits and support lasting recovery. The program also strengthens community partnerships across healthcare, behavioral health, and social services, creating a robust network of support.
This model can help reduce overdose rates, improve patient outcomes, and build a more equitable and responsive system of care.