Rural Communities Opioid Response (Planning) - Project Title: Rural Response Network Applicant Organization Name: The Harrison Memorial Hospital, Inc. Applicant Organization Address: 1210 KY HWY 36 East, Cynthiana, KY, 41031 Webpage address: http://harrisonmemhosp.com/ Project Director: Matthew Blake Project Director Email: mblake@hmhosp.org Project Director Phone: 859-298-2888 ABSTRACT Harrison Memorial Hospital (HMH) will lead the Rural Response Network through the HRSA RCORP-Planning program to establish a coordinated, sustainable system of care that addresses substance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD), across an eight-county rural region in North Central Kentucky. The target service area – Bourbon, Bracken, Fleming, Harrison, Nicholas, Pendleton, Robertson, and Scott counties is 100% rural and faces significant behavioral health workforce shortages, transportation barriers, limited access to treatment, and increasing rates of substance use, overdose, and co-occurring mental health conditions. Fragmented services and limited coordination across providers and community organizations further hinder timely access to prevention, treatment, recovery, and supportive services. The Rural Response Network will establish a multi-sector consortium that includes Harrison Memorial Hospital, Spero Health, Harrison County EMS, Cynthiana Police Department, WEDCO District Health Department, Harrison Clinic Pharmacy, and other community stakeholders to strengthen regional collaboration and develop a shared strategy for addressing SUD. During the planned period, the network will conduct a comprehensive community assessment, identify service gaps and community assets, engage individuals with lived experience, formalize data-sharing agreements, and develop a sustainable, multi-stakeholder strategic action plan to expand access to evidence-based SUD prevention, treatment, recovery, and supportive services throughout the region. The project will serve rural residents across the eight-county service area who are affected by SUD or OUD, including individuals at risk for overdose, people with co-occurring behavioral health conditions, justice-involved individuals, families, and other underserved populations facing geographic, economic, and transportation barriers. HMH will also prepare healthcare providers, first responders, peer support specialists, and community organizations to strengthen the regional continuum of care through workforce training, standardized referral pathways, evidence-based clinical protocols, and enhanced coordination across sectors. The Rural Response Network will create the foundation for a more integrated and sustainable rural SUD system of care by strengthening partnerships, improving regional planning, and increasing provider readiness. Through a community-driven strategic action plan and coordinated network infrastructure, the project will position the region to expand access to high-quality SUD services, improve care coordination, and support better long-term outcomes for individuals, families, and communities across rural North Central Kentucky.
