Kittitas County Health Network

Between 2018 and 2020, Kittitas County saw 8.5 opioid related deaths per 100,000, 2.5 deaths per 100,000 higher than the United States average. In 2021, the number of opioid related deaths per 100,000 in Kittitas County rose to 17.1 when factoring in 8 fentanyl related deaths alone. To enhance prevention efforts, the consortium looks to expand representation in the consortium to include organizations representing and serving under-represented populations and work with them to: identify and address population-specific needs; engage faith-based organizations; create and conduct annual media campaigns with bi-lingual materials and provide translation services in Spanish for trainings and presentations; conduct parent education on SUDs, stigma, treatment options, and recovery; coordinate with organizations that serve marginalized and disproportional affected populations to provide education, training, and resources to help mitigate the impacts of ACEs and prevent substance misuse; and train Network partners and community members to complete ACES and Trauma in Substance Use Disorder course. The consortium will utilize the syringe service program to distribute naloxone, provide training on naloxone use, and conduct HIV and hepatitis screenings in addition to making referrals to prevention, harm reduction, early intervention, treatment, and other support services. The consortium will also work to increase distribution of medication lock boxes to community members with children in their homes. To reduce barriers to accessing treatment and recovery services, the consortium will recruit and retain rural SUD/OUD providers by providing stipends for MAT training and DATA 2000 waiver attainment, establish closed loop referrals through care coordination for SUD and Behavioral Health treatment, and collaborate with Hub and Spoke program to ensure patients are connected to resources and receive proper referrals while incarcerated and upon release. The consortium will also work to provide consistent and sustained peer support services at the Recovery Community Organization and support the development of an infrastructure to provide regularly scheduled programming and referrals to treatment and social services.