The Center at Sierra Health Foundation is proud to share a new resource designed to support partners working to address opioid use disorder across California. In collaboration with Facente Consulting, with funding from California Department of Health Care Services, The Center developed an interactive landscape analysis. This landscape analysis includes policy briefs and an interactive StoryMaps website that provide insights and real-world stories about how medications for addiction treatment (MAT) save lives and strengthen communities in California.
Read Policy Brief on Expanding MAT in Residential Substance Use Disorder Services (.pdf)
Read Policy Brief on Increasing Buprenorphine Access (.pdf)
Visit the website to read the full landscape analysis and learn about:
- Diverse, community-rooted MAT programs across the state
- Frontline providers that are reducing barriers by meeting people where they are including tribal, rural and border-based programs offering culturally grounded care
- MAT services in non-traditional settings like mobile vans and syringe service programs
- The importance of meeting basic needs and strong navigation support in helping clients build trust, overcome hurdles and remain engaged with critical care
- Policy briefs on buprenorphine access and Medi-Cal reimbursement for MAT in residential settings
About The Overdose Crisis
California continues to face an urgent overdose crisis, with over 5,000 opioid-related deaths in 2024. Medications for addiction treatment (MAT)—such as methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone—is a proven tool that reduces overdose deaths and improves long-term care outcomes but many communities still face barriers.
MAT Services
MAT is a critical, proven tool that reduces overdose deaths, decreases serious opioid-related acute care visits and supports long-term engagement in treatment better than non-medicated approaches. Although buprenorphine prescribing in California has dramatically increased since 2014 thanks to major policy and funding shifts, many communities still face persistent disparities in access. Stigma, strict regulations, withdrawal-related trauma, limited funding and a lack of culturally responsive care all contribute to inequitable treatment availability across geography, race and ethnicity, income, language, immigration status, gender identity, sexual orientation and incarceration history.
The StoryMaps site, policy briefs and landscape analysis are designed to inform future implementation, policy and funding decisions. Together, we can expand access to life-saving treatment and build a more equitable, compassionate response to opioid use disorder in California.