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Select Board hears introduction of new part‑time community substance‑use coordinator funded by opioid‑abatement dollars
Summary
Christina LaRose introduced Victoria Allen as Foxborough’s new part‑time community substance‑use coordinator, funded through opioid‑abatement funds; the role will provide co‑response coverage with police and fire, some nights/weekends, and aims to expand toward full‑time pending funding and town‑meeting actions.
The Select Board heard an introduction of a new part‑time community substance‑use coordinator, Victoria Allen, who will work alongside Christina LaRose (director of clinical services for Foxboro Public Safety) to provide co‑response services with police and fire and to build relationships with treatment providers.
LaRose said the position was created after a needs assessment and funded through opioid‑abatement dollars; she emphasized the need for evening and weekend availability and the role’s function to augment existing casework and provide follow‑up coordination. "Once you leave at 6:00, you know, we feel guilty calling you back," LaRose said, explaining the coverage gap the new hire aims to fill.
Allen, who said she grew up in town and is finishing a master's in social work, described outreach to treatment centers, co‑response shadowing with first responders, plans for crisis‑response training and a needs‑assessment review of call logs to identify service gaps. Town staff said current funds cover part‑time work and outlined a path—using administrative fees and opioid‑settlement resources—to move to a full‑time position in the future if warranted.
Board members welcomed Allen and encouraged coordination across health, police and fire departments as implementation proceeds.
