3 Ky. groups get Rural Communities Opioid Response Program grants, awarded nearly $2 million in 2024

By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

Kentucky is one of 19 states to receive grant funding from the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program to be used to improve access to treatment and recovery services for substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder.

The grant is distributed over four years, with grantees receiving up to $750,000 yearly, according to the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration website. The money is to be used to meet four main goals:

• Set up and/or expand SUD treatment and recovery services
• Build an SUD workforce that includes peer recovery specialists and clinicians with different areas of expertise
• Work with social services to ensure that people and families affected by SUD have a better chance for long-term recovery
• Work to ensure that services can continue after the grant ends

Of the nearly $14 million awarded in 2024 by HRSA for the grant program, three organizations in Kentucky will receive $1,908,214.

Baptist Healthcare System, Inc. in Corbin will receive $750,000 of its four-year award amount of $3 million; Memorial Hospital, Inc. in Manchester will receive $500,000 of its four-year award amount of $2,709,671; and WestCare Kentucky, Inc. in Ashcamp will receive $658,214 of its four-year award amount of $2.8 million.

U.S. Sen. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said in a news release that he supports funding for RCORP as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“The substance abuse epidemic has hollowed out communities across the nation, especially here in the Commonwealth. Now more than ever it’s important that we utilize every tool we have to combat this crisis and save lives,” McConnell said.

The release adds that McConnell sent a letter of support to HRSA on behalf of Baptist Health.

“We are honored to be awarded federal funding that will allow us the opportunity to create new access points for mental health and addiction treatment and recovery services. Additionally, this grant will give us the resources to develop a workforce development plan aimed to address the shortage of addiction and mental health professionals in the region,” said Baptist Health CEO Gerard Colman. “We are extremely grateful to Sen. McConnell for his advocacy for quality healthcare services that improve the quality of lives of Kentuckians.”