Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Impact - HRSA-26-037 RCORP-Impact — Project Abstract Summary: Applicant Organization: Safe Haven Ministries, Inc. Project Title: Strengthening the Rural SUD Continuum of Care in Johnson County, Arkansas Service Area: Johnson County, Arkansas (HRSA-Designated Fully Rural) Project Director: Matthew Garrett Requested Amount: $750,000/year | Period of Performance: 09/01/2026 – 08/31/2030 Project Abstract: Safe Haven Ministries, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Clarksville, Arkansas, requests $750,000/year over four years to build a comprehensive, integrated SUD continuum of care in rural Johnson County. The project will establish and expand evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery services, including MOUD, while developing a sustainable multi-sector network and a responsive behavioral health workforce. This project advances all four RCORP-Impact goals by expanding access to evidence-based behavioral health care, addressing root causes of chronic disease, and supporting family stability. Johnson County is a fully HRSA-designated rural county with three HPSA designations (Mental Health: 17/25; Primary Care: 15; Dental: 17) and a Medically Underserved Area designation (MUA Index: 57.7). Its poverty rate (19.4%), uninsured rate (11.4%), and unemployment rate (5.0%) exceed state and national averages. Arkansas ranks second nationally in opioid prescription rates and third in methamphetamine use. Johnson County's nonfatal overdose rate was 17.3 per 100,000 in 2023. Despite this crisis, the county has no MOUD provider in a recovery setting, no Recovery Community Organization, and no structured SUD prevention programming for high-risk populations. Safe Haven is the county's sole front-line SUD responder. Founded in 2018, Safe Haven operates three licensed residential homes, an outpatient treatment program, mental health counseling, peer support, and a Community Crisis Center, and has managed over $3 million in grant funding. This project closes the critical gaps that remain. Goal 1: SUD Direct Service Delivery Safe Haven will locate an on-site MOUD clinic through a partnership with Ideal Option, PLLC, serving 100 individuals in Year 1 and 300/year thereafter. Prevention services will reach pregnant women/young mothers (Early Prevention Education Program: 80/year), youth aging out of foster care (Bridge to Stability: 6/year), and at-risk youth (Project Mentor: 20% annual growth). A Timed Entry Diversion Program will redirect justice-involved individuals into treatment, diverting 85 over four years. Goal 2: Supportive Services A Healthcare Navigator will drive insurance enrollment across all network partners. A Service Coordinator will provide comprehensive case management. A Closed-Loop Care Coordination System will track participants across all sites in real time. Expanded health care coordination, including preventive screenings and nutrition education, will address co-occurring chronic disease needs. Goal 3: Workforce The network will hire five new positions and train a minimum of 15 staff annually in evidence-based SUD practices. A formal peer certification pathway within the RCO will grow the certified Peer Support Specialist workforce from 2 in Year 1 to 5 by Year 4. Practicum/internship agreements with regional universities will create a recurring behavioral health pipeline. Goal 4: Network and Sustainability A multi-sector network - Safe Haven, Stepping Stones Recovery of Arkansas, Pregnancy Help Clinic, Clarksville School District, Ideal Option PLLC, and Clarksville Family Pharmacy - will formalize data sharing, care coordination, and quarterly planning under MOUs. A Financial and Sustainability Plan will establish pathways to Medicaid reimbursement, third-party billing, and diversified funding to sustain all services beyond the award period. All services are available regardless of ability to pay or insurance status. Safe Haven is uniquely positioned to transform the county's SUD crisis into lasting community recovery.
