Pilot Case Study: A Framework for Multisector Public Health and Safety Teams Addressing the Overdose Epidemic

The Public Health and Safety Team (PHAST) Framework and Toolkit were developed by the CDC Foundation in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to guide local jurisdictions in strengthening coordination among public health, public safety, and other sectors to address the overdose crisis. The PHAST Framework uses guiding principles, strategies, and tools to help improve multisector engagement, data sharing, and coordinated overdose prevention. To assess its utility and inform its refinement, the initial version of the Toolkit was piloted in York County, Pennsylvania. A follow-up assessment was conducted 1 year after the pilot concluded. Application of the PHAST Framework appeared to have contributed to positive and sustained changes to meeting activities, structure, and attendance, supporting the potential utility of PHAST for advancing local-level multisector overdose prevention efforts. This article describes the basic tenets of PHAST, the pilot process, and findings from the 1-year follow-up assessment.