Main Line Health announces launch of Delaware County Overdose Response Team, funded via $560K grant secured by U.S. Rep. Scanlon
Media, PA — Main Line Health and U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (Pennsylvania 5th District) today announced the launch of the Delaware County Overdose Response Team (DCORT), a targeted effort designed as a safety net for overdose patients and to ease the burden on strained Delaware County medical, emergency department and law enforcement resources.
The program was made possible by Rep. Scanlon securing $560,000 in grant funding. The program enables a community paramedic and a certified recovery specialist (CRS) to partner on overdose 911 calls, working to encourage patients to go directly from the scene to a treatment center as appropriate.
"I want to express my deep gratitude to Congresswoman Scanlon for her work to secure this federal grant," said Jack Lynch, FACHE, President and CEO, Main Line Health. "For decades now, we have seen a worsening opioid epidemic – someone in Delaware County overdoses every seven to nine minutes. When we identified a way to make a difference by assembling a team with the mission to get overdose patients into treatment, she moved quickly and put in the hard work to make it happen."
Rep. Scanlon said she considered Main Line Health's funding request critical to the Delaware County community, where over 65,000 doses of Naloxone were administered by EMS from 2019–2021.
"As Delaware County has battled one of Pennsylvania’s highest instances of opioid use disorders, and a spike in overdose deaths since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen the positive impact of evidence-based, community resources," said Rep. Scanlon. "That’s why I am so proud that we were able to secure $560,000 for Delaware County’s mobile Overdose Response Team. This overdose response team will serve as a vital safety net, providing immediate, on-the-ground intervention and support for those in crisis while easing the burden on overworked medical and emergency service providers."
A key grant component is funding a new CRS position at Mirmont Treatment Center, part of Main Line Health. The community paramedic's role is to provide stabilizing care. The CRS's role is to engage with the patient as a peer in a nonjudgmental way, trying to conduct a handoff to an appropriate rehabilitation center.
"Acting alone, first responders lack the support or resources to direct overdose patients to the behavioral health resources they need," said Valerie Schina, Executive Director, Mirmont Treatment Center. "This program allows us to assist first responders by intervening with patients struggling with substance abuse and mental health disorders. When patients are connected to a treatment resource, disrupting repeated calls to the same sites, the chances of a better long-term outcome are much higher."
About Mirmont Treatment Center
Mirmont Treatment Center, part of Main Line Health, has been providing treatment to patients struggling with substance use disorders and/or mental health disorders since 1985. With four easily accessible locations in Delaware and Chester counties, Mirmont is the preferred treatment provider for those starting their journey to recovery.
Mirmont’s team of experts work together to create an individualized treatment plan for each patient, blending evidence-based approaches with holistic therapies, and clinical excellence with compassionate care. The multidisciplinary team of physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, therapists and pain management experts at Mirmont specialize in the treatment of substance use dependency and are deeply committed to the success of each patient.
Mirmont Treatment Center has helped thousands of people free themselves from substance use disorders and begin recovery from alcohol and drug dependency. With a strong foundation in 12-step recovery and a holistic approach, our therapies heal and strengthen the whole person — body, mind, heart and spirit.
Mirmont residential facility provides medically monitored detoxification and inpatient substance use and dual diagnosis treatment for adults. Mirmont Outpatient Center locations in Delaware and Chester counties offer partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs for adults and adolescents aged 14 and up. All facilities offer psychiatric evaluations and medication management along with medicated assisted treatment for alcohol and substance use disorder.
Mirmont Treatment Center locations offer many specialty programs focusing on the specific needs of the individual seeking help. Among one of Mirmont’s many specialty programs, includes the Valor with Integrity Program for Emergency Responders (V.I.P.E.R.), which is a nationally acclaimed program that addresses the unique needs of first responders who can experience such issues as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), crime scene trauma, family conflict, and work-related stress. Additionally, Mirmont Treatment Center offers several specialty programs to address the unique needs of our patients including treatment for pregnant women, pain management, relapse prevention using the Groski model, LGBTQIA+ support services, and the Phoenix Trauma program.
About Main Line Health
Founded in 1985, Main Line Health is a not-for-profit health system serving Philadelphia and its suburbs. Main Line Health's commitment — to deliver safe, high-quality, equitable and affordable care for treating and curing disease, playing an important role in prevention and disease management, as well as training physicians and other health care providers — reflects our intent to be the region's premier choice for clinical care, research, and education. A team of more than 13,000 employees and over 2,100 employed and independent physicians and advanced practice providers care for patients throughout Main Line Health.
At Main Line Health's core are four of the region's most respected acute care hospitals — Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital — as well as one of the nation's premier facilities for rehabilitative medicine, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital.
Main Line Health also includes Mirmont Treatment Center for drug and alcohol recovery; Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice, which includes skilled home health care, hospice and home infusion services; Main Line Health Centers, primary and specialty care, lab and radiology, and other outpatient services located in Broomall, Collegeville, Concordville, Exton, King of Prussia and Newtown Square; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a biomedical research organization; and Main Line HealthCare, one of the region's largest multispecialty physician networks.
Main Line Health is the recipient of numerous awards for quality care and service, including the prestigious American Hospital Association Quest for Quality Prize, highest tier ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for Overall Hospital Quality and systemwide recognition in the 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Main Line Health is committed to creating an environment of diversity, respect, equity and inclusion, has proudly received awards in this area and has embraced the American Hospital Association's #123forEquity Pledge to Act to eliminate disparities in care. We are dedicated to advancing patient-centered care, education and research to help patients stay healthy and live their best lives.
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