Addiction recovery programs in high-risk rural communities receive $6M

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Several Kentucky addiction treatment programs in high-risk rural communities received $6 million in competitive federal grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Monday.

McConnell contacted HRSA in support of his constituents’ grant applications and their life-saving missions.

The HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program was established to reduce the morbidity and mortality of substance abuse by enhancing rural residents’ ability to access treatment.

McConnell helped the following organizations secure these competitive federal grants:

“In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Kentucky remains focused on treating those suffering from substance abuse,” said McConnell. “Since I became Senate Majority Leader, I’ve worked to mobilize the federal government to respond to the scourge of addiction with prevention, treatment and enforcement efforts. Kentucky is leading the fight against addiction, and it’s a privilege to join these devoted professionals to help us win.”

According to these programs, they will use the federal funds for a range of recovery activities, including medication assisted treatment (MAT), transitional housing and workforce readiness programs.

“Through the First Day Forward initiative, many of our most vulnerable rural residents will have access to the treatment and recovery services they so desperately need,” said Donald H. Lloyd II, St. Claire HealthCare president/CEO.

“Kentucky River Foothills Development Council Inc. is excited to learn that its request for a Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Implementation grant has been selected for funding. This three year project will enable the MORE (Madison Opioid Response and Empowerment) Consortium to strengthen substance use prevention, treatment and recovery services in Madison County,” said Kentucky River Foothills Development Council Executive Director/ CEO Brian Mullins. “These additional services are greatly needed to intervene in the opioid epidemic that has broken the hearts of many families in our community with the worst cases ending in the overdose deaths of more than 40 Madison Countians annually for the last several years. Kentucky River Foothills Development Council and the MORE Consortium are grateful for Senator McConnell’s ongoing support of our grant application of which he has championed throughout its development.”

“Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency and our partners would like to sincerely thank Majority Leader McConnell for his support of our grant application. The $1 million award will be utilized over the next three years to increase this area’s capacity to provide meaningful prevention, treatment, and recovery resources. Majority Leader McConnell’s commitment to our fight against opioids is greatly appreciated,” said Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency Executive Director Alicia K. Polston. “Together, we represent 30 community partners and private individuals determined to see a positive change in our rural communities and to provide a strong foundation for long-term solutions to the opioid crisis.”

Three other Kentucky organizations were also awarded a $1 million competitive federal grant: Purchase District Health Department (Paducah), Northeast Kentucky Regional Health Information Organization (West Liberty) and Baptist Health Foundation Corbin (Corbin).

In June, St. Claire Medical Center secured a $900,000 competitive federal grant from HRSA to provide MAT services in collaboration with the Northeast Kentucky Substance Use Response Coalition.

Recognizing the link between the coronavirus pandemic and the increase in substance abuse, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, also delivered $6 million for Kentucky’s treatment efforts.