University of Cincinnati

Our overarching goals for this HRSA RCORP FY22 Implementation Project were developed using evidenced based and innovative solutions and include:  “Providing effective, equitable, understandable, and respectful quality care and services that are responsive to diverse cultural health beliefs and practices, preferred languages, health literacy, and other communication needs” [23] per the HHS CLAS Standards  Ensuring all activities complement and do not duplicate existing efforts in the service area  Supporting consortium members to ensure that they are able to collect and report accurate data to fulfill HRSA reporting requirements and to use evidence-based practice techniques to analyze the data to inform consortium efforts  Providing evidence-based, culturally competent education to this rural, Appalachian population to increase both community members and providers understanding of evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies for substance use disorder  Educating the community and all levels of providers to decrease bias and stigma against those with SUD  Continuing and building upon projects and successes from the RCORP FY 19 Implementation Project  Completing efforts and strategies delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and building upon lessons learned and innovative strategies utilized during the pandemic  Recruiting, training, and mentoring interdisciplinary SUD clinical and social service and community-based providers who are able to identify and treat substance use disorders using evidence-based methods.  Enhancing discharge coordination for people in treatment and recovery to ensure connection with home and community-based services, social support, and peer support  Expanding peer recovery support services  Implementing strategies to prevent the spread of infectious disease in people who inject drugs and providing screening for testing and support and referrals to specialists for those testing positive  Leveraging federal, state, and local resources and work to sustain the consortium and activities beyond the period of performance.