🩺 About C.O.R.E.
Compassionate Overdose Response Education
Funded by York County Opioid Settlement – Launched in 2023
The Compassionate Overdose Response Education (C.O.R.E.) program was launched in 2023 after the Emergency Health Services Federation (EHSF) was awarded funding through York County’s Opioid Settlement Initiative.
Since then, C.O.R.E. has trained dozens of EMS agencies and first responders across York County, equipping them with the tools, insight, and compassion needed to better support individuals affected by substance use disorder.
🚑 Why C.O.R.E.?
First responders are often the first and only point of contact for individuals experiencing overdose. Their actions can make a life-saving difference—not only in the moment, but in what comes after.
C.O.R.E. is designed to:
- Reduce stigma around substance use disorder
- Improve communication and patient engagement
- Provide strategies for managing burnout and compassion fatigue
- Connect responders to recovery resources and peer support services
💡 What You’ll Learn
- How to reduce stigma in the EMS and first responder environment
- Motivational interviewing techniques to encourage recovery readiness
- Compassion fatigue and mental health support for providers
- The value of lived experience in shaping empathetic care
- Local recovery resources and certified recovery specialist pathways
💬 What Makes C.O.R.E. Different?
- Built by and for EMS professionals
- Grounded in lived experience and real-world insight
- Backed by behavioral health experts, recovery leaders, and field medics
- Approved for 4.5–5 CEUs toward professional development
📈 Impact So Far
Since its launch:
- C.O.R.E. has trained dozens of agencies in York County
- EMS professionals report feeling more confident, supported, and prepared
- Agencies are seeing stronger links between EMS and recovery resources
🤝 Bring C.O.R.E. to Your Team
Want to learn more or schedule a training? We’d love to hear from you.
Contact:
📧 Ian Donat, Emergency Health Services Federation
✉️ idonat@ehsf.org