The Nation is in the midst of an unprecedented opioid epidemic. More than 130 people a day die from opioid-related drug overdoses.
Prevention and access to treatment for opioid addiction and overdose reversal drugs are critical to fighting this epidemic. Primary care settings have increasingly become a gateway to better care for individuals with both behavioral health (including substance use) and primary care needs.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) supports its grantees with resources, technical assistance, and training to integrate behavioral health care services into practice settings and communities.
How HRSA is Addressing the Opioid Crisis
- Expanding access through health centers and other primary care settings
- Using telehealth to treat opioid use disorder
- Connecting stakeholders to opioid-related resources
- Sharing best practices and regional approaches
- Increasing opioid use disorder training in primary care
- Informing policy and future investments
- Addressing opioid-related poisonings and overdoses
Since September 2018, HRSA has awarded $298 million as part of the Rural Communities Opioid Response (RCORP) initiative.
RCORP currently includes grants for:
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RCORP Planning: The RCORP-Planning Program aims to strengthen the capacity of multi-sector consortia to develop plans to implement and sustain SUD/OUD prevention, treatment, and recovery services in rural communities. Over the course of a one-year project period, grant recipients formalize relationships with consortium members; conduct needs assessments; and develop workforce, service delivery, and sustainability plans.
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RCORP Implementation: The RCORP-Implementation Program aims to strengthen and expand substance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD) prevention, treatment, and recovery services in rural areas. Award recipients will receive up to $1 million each over a three-year period of performance to implement a set of evidence-based interventions and promising practices that align with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service’s Five-Point Strategy to Combat the Opioid Crisis. Additionally, award recipients will develop plans to sustain services beyond the period of performance.
Browse Implementation I on this site for more information on these grantees.
Browse Implementation II on this site for more information on these grantees.
Browse Implementation III on this site for more information on these grantees. -
RCORP Medication-Assisted Treatment Expansion: The RCORP-MAT Expansion Program supports the establishment and/or expansion of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in eligible rural hospitals, clinics, and tribal organizations. Award recipients will receive up to $725,000 for a three-year period of performance to provide MAT and other support services to patients with opioid use disorder. Additionally, award recipients will develop plans to sustain their services beyond the period of performance.
Browse MAT Expansion on this site for more information on these grantees.
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Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: The purpose of the RCORP-NAS Program is to reduce the incidence and impact of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in rural communities by improving systems of care, family supports, and social determinants of health.
While the focus of RCORP-NAS is primarily opioid use disorder (OUD), grantees may also choose to address additional substances of concern or substance use disorders (SUDs) among the target population. The target population is pregnant women, mothers, and women of childbearing age who have a history of, or who are at risk for, SUD/OUD and their children, families, and caregivers who reside in rural areas.
Browse NAS on this site for more information on these grantees.
- Psychostimulant Support: The RCORP-Psychostimulant Support Program aims to strengthen and expand prevention, treatment, and recovery services for individuals in rural areas who misuse psychostimulants; to enhance their ability to access treatment and move towards recovery. Award recipients will receive up to $500,000 each over a three-year period of performance to implement a set of evidence-based interventions and promising practices that align with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service’s Five-Point Strategy to Combat the Opioid Crisis. Additionally, award recipients will develop a Mental/Behavior Health Disparities Impact Statement (DIS) to reduce health disparities in the target rural service area during and beyond the period of performance.
Browse Psychostimulant Support on this site for more information on these grantees.
It also includes cooperative agreements for:
- Technical Assistance: RCORP-Technical Assistance supports award recipients of the RCORP-Planning, Implementation, and MAT Expansion programs in their efforts to implement and sustain prevention, treatment, and recovery services to address the opioid epidemic in rural communities.
- Evaluation: RCORP-Evaluation will evaluate the impact of the RCORP initiative and develop evaluation tools and resources for use in rural communities and to inform future rural health initiatives.
- Three Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorders: The RCORP-Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorders establishes three centers of excellence on substance use disorder (SUD).The centers of excellence support the identification, translation, dissemination, and implementation of evidence-based programs and best practices related to the treatment for and prevention of SUD within rural communities, with a focus on the current opioid crisis and developing methods to address future SUD epidemics.
- Three Rural Behavioral Health Workforce Centers: The Rural Behavioral Health Workforce Centers – Northern Border Region (RBHWC) program improves behavioral health care services in rural areas. The centers train health workers and community members to help people with behavioral health disorders, including substance use disorder. The RBHWC program is a joint effort between HRSA and the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). The NBRC is a federal-state partnership to assist the most distressed counties of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.