Monday, April 28, 2025
4/28/2025
MAT Access for Rural Appalachians (MARA) - With a drug use death rate of 52.0 per 100,000 and $8.8 billion or 12% of the state GDP spent on the opioid crisis annually (both highest in the US), West Virginia has been hard hit by the opioid epidemic. Transportation is a consistent barrier to treatment access for rural WV. Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center along with FMRS Health Systems & Seneca Health Services will combine telemedicine, free transportation, & MAT to make an exponential impact. MAT Access for Rural Appalachians (MARA) focuses on adults ages 18+ with an opioid use disorder (OUD) who are seeking or receiving MAT. A continuum of existing services is available for family members & children. The geographic service delivery area is the heart of the state's opioid epidemic in southern WV (11 of WV's 55 counties) Wyoming, Mercer, Monroe, McDowell, Fayette, Raleigh, Summers, Nicholas, Greenbrier, Pocahontas & Webster) that comprise WV DHHR Region 6). The goal of MARA is to reduce opioid drug use & prescription opioid misuse by improving access to a culturally competent, sustainable system of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) treatment for rural Appalachians with OUD utilizing MAT. Ten measurable objectives accompanied by subsequent activities focus on eliminating barriers to treatment access/improving service retention, increasing treatment capacity, decreasing stigma associated with MAT, identifying and engaging those needing services, mitigating MAT diversion risks, improving overall client physical and mental health advancing treatment retention, decreasing illicit opioid drug use and prescription opioid misuse, connecting family members to needed services and sustaining services post grant funding. MARA will serve 225 in Year 1; 425 in Y2 & 550 in Y3 for a total of 1,200 unduplicated clients over the project period. Considering evaluation costs, a total of $1,260,000 is available for direct client services or a cost of $1,116 per client served. Just two days in detox (@ $575/day), exceeds the per client cost of MARA. A unique feature of this initiative is the partnership between the three licensed, comprehensive, community based behavioral health centers. Thru combined efforts, telemedicine will be available throughout the 11-county catchment area, providing clients with access to services 5 days per week, regardless of the catchment county of residence. To further mitigate the transportation barriers experienced by rural clients, six vehicles (2/agency) will be purchased to transport clients to MAT services. West Virginia culture is characterized by strong family ties and the opioid epidemic runs deep within WV families. Therefore, a continuum of care will be provided to engage and link families with treatment and support services. Care coordination and peer support assure assistance in hometown communities and bolster treatment engagement.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).