24 homeland security and others. It is also a methodology for defining standards for the exchange of information across domains in ways that conform to the definitions, so that computers can interpret the data without human intervention.  The data components defined in NIEM are organized into 1). core components that are of interest to more than two domains and 2). domain-specific components of interest to a particular domain such as justice. The way to start using NIEM is to define the elements of information that are needed in a particular exchange (ex., a patient case file), and then search the NIEM dataset to find out if these elements are already defined there. NIEM provides tools to search and then to create a schema that, in effect, is the specification for writing a code that will enable the information exchange. NIEM is the only cross-domain methodology and structure that creates standards for specific exchanges. If more than two systems need to exchange data, NIEM is the best way to create the specifications for doing so. NIEM is not itself a standard, but is built on international standards for things like date, time, address, etc. It is a methodology for using the many existing standards for data elements from their most-authoritative sources, and for creating derivative exchanges that can be a true standard that multiple systems can be trained to interpret. It is a way to create a translation between systems that must deal with common topics but speak different languages. An information system architecture is an important part of a strategy to build the capacity for information-sharing, and considerable work has been conducted to formulate frameworks for creating this capability. One of the most extensive was done under the auspices of the Standards Coordinating Committee to create Project Interoperability, which defines a generic architecture useful for designing an information-sharing function. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recently published its own interoperability guide, which attempts to define ways to make information-sharing more feasible and easier to automate though the use of standards and tools. In an article about the interoperability initiative, ACF explains: “We are also examining existing technical architecture frameworks, including the National Human Services Interoperability Architecture (NHSIA), to promote effective planning and design of integrated systems. Ideally, NHSIA will provide the basis for interoperability with other communities, such as with those organizations leveraging the Medicaid Information Technology Architecture. Alignment of both architectural and data standards frameworks across human services and critical partners is a major attribute of the ACF Interoperability Initiative.”22 NHSIA proposes a framework to facilitate information-sharing, improve service delivery, prevent fraud and provide better outcomes for children and families.23 In addition, several states have created data sources revolving around but not limited to open data to help measure the success of prevention programs. Pennsylvania, for example, has created a code-a-thon in which open data is used to enable technologists to develop applications that may help in the prevention of opioid use disorders: “Julie Snyder, director of Pennsylvania’s Office of Data and Digital Technology, said that the state recently released 30 data sets that could prove useful for combating the opioid crisis or shedding awareness about its extent. Those data sets come from myriad departments throughout the state, and they are related to a wide range of topics, from corrections to drug and alcohol rehabilitation to the police numbers associated with opioid-related arrests.”24 Datavisualizationisanimportanttoolinhelpingtounderstandtheissuesrelatedtosubstanceusedisorder. Washington State’s Department of Health publishes a portal that displays key metrics related to the opioid crisis at the county level, with tools to explore the data further.25 There are numerous state programs that provide reference materials and resources for understanding of the issues related toof information sources and data. e. Potential Funding TheWashingtonStateDepartmentofHealthhastakenaninnovativesteptowardfullintegrationofhealthinfrastructure by bringing together its PDMP program with electronic health records (EHRs) using the state’s Health Information network. By integrating these systems, the state was able to justify the work and expense of linking these systems under the criteria for “meaningful use” by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and thereby qualify for federal grant support.26 The U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) issues periodic grant offerings relating to the crisis. An example is the 2018 Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based program. Searching for “opioids” on BJA’s list of funding opportunities shows the ones relevant to this topic.