Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University’s Center for Health and Human Services, with the well-established RCORP-Planning Consortium in Wilson County, is implementing a comprehensive SUD/OUD prevention program within the HRSA-eligible areas of Wilson County to combat the rising incidents of SUD/OUD. The MTSU Changing the Trajectory for Opioids in Wilson County project is currently in the implementation phase and addressing prevention, treatment, and recovery needs identified through the planning grant’s needs assessment and gap analysis, and which were approved by the RCORP-Planning program officers. The stakeholders in the consortium have extensive experience in engaging with SUD/OUD individuals and have established an interdisciplinary coalition to coordinate services and programs to better support individuals at risk. By expanding on the already established relationships built prior-to and during an earlier HRSA planning grant, the consortium is rapidly deploying programs with the broad community support represented by its membership. Currently, law enforcement and substance use provider training programs, development of an overdose dashboard, school and business-based educational programs and outreach, naloxone distribution, a establishment of a diversion center, and jail-based re-entry transition programming are being implemented. Providing MAT access for the uninsured as well as addressing transportation needs are part of the upcoming work. The MTSU RCORP Consortium has four signatory member organizations but represent over 100 individual and organization stakeholders within Wilson County. Representatives from law enforcement and local government are involved in the planning and implementation process as DrugFree WilCo members, one of the four signatory member organizations. The rural eligible area of Wilson County has an estimated population of 108,950. Wilson County’s population is comprised of 88.6% white compared to 78.5% for the state, as well as a smaller percentage of Black/African American residents at 7.3% compared to the state average of 17.1%. .5% of the Wilson County population identify as American Indian/Alaska Native. The percentages for the other ethnic/racial groups are comparable to state averages. The population served includes subpopulations that have historically suffered from poorer health outcomes compared to the rest of the population. Specifically, these are households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county. Through reports from the United Ways of Tennessee, it was determined that this is 23% of the population in Wilson County in 2017, and the households in poverty were an additional 8%. Ultimately, the highly detailed work plan developed through the RCORP Planning Grant will be implemented in this high-need community through funding from the HRSA RCORP Implementation funding. Through both of these HRSA programs - RCORP Planning and RCORP Implementation - Wilson County will be able to truly change the trajectory for opioids in their community.