About the Initiative
C.O.R.E. was developed in 2023 after the Emergency Health Services Federation received funding through York County’s Opioid Settlement Initiative. Since then, we've worked with dozens of EMS agencies and first responders across York County to shift how our system responds to substance use disorder, starting with empathy, education, and connection.
Why C.O.R.E.?
First responders are often the only healthcare contact someone has during or after an overdose. What happens in that moment matters, but so does what happens next.
C.O.R.E. was developed to provide EMS providers with the tools they need to respond with not just clinical skill, but also compassion.
Our training focuses on:
- Reducing stigma around substance use disorder
- Building stronger communication and patient engagement skills
- Recognizing and managing compassion fatigue
- Connecting patients to recovery resources, including certified recovery specialists and local support services
What the Training Covers
- Understanding the science of addiction and how stigma shows up in EMS
- Using motivational interviewing to support recovery conversations
- Managing burnout and stress in high-demand responder roles
- Learning from people with lived experience
- Navigating local pathways to recovery and warm handoff services
What Makes C.O.R.E. Different?
- Developed by EMS, for EMS
- Backed by behavioral health professionals and recovery leaders
- Grounded in real stories and practical tools