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Overdose Fatality Reviews and COVID-19: Virtual Case Review Meetings

NCJ Number
308187
Date Published
April 2020
Length
2 pages
Annotation

This document provides guidance for performing virtual case review meetings, a concept that was embraced as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

This brief document from the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) was created in order to provide Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) teams with guidance during COVID-19 response. It seeks to help OFR teams nationwide to maintain momentum and stay connected with their overdose prevention colleagues during times when in-person work is not possible. The document recommends seven OFR activities, such as establishing a new OFR team structure, policies, procedures, and schedule; it suggests considering virtual OFR case review meetings, and provides guidance for determining the OFR team readiness and capacity; it lists some tips for hosting a successful virtual OFR case review meeting; and informs of how to request  COSSAP Training and Technical Assistance (TTA).