The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently announced $1,089,231 in awards to rural communities in Wisconsin to support key strategies responding to the overdose risk from fentanyl and other opioids.
Across the country, more than 100,000 people die each year from overdose. Individuals who call rural communities home and who are experiencing opioid use disorder — including from fentanyl, heroin, or other opioids — can face challenges in accessing treatment and recovery services. Geographic isolation and transportation barriers can make finding treatment particularly challenging, and limited mental health and substance use disorder health care providers in the community can further complicate access. The stigmatization of substance use disorder and its treatments are additional barriers to access. HRSA’s funding is targeted to helping communities address these critical needs and expand access to services.
Today’s announcement includes the following investments in Wisconsin:
- Supporting Rural Communities in Preventing and Responding to Overdoses: $300,000 will support an award to help rural communities respond to specific and immediate needs, including the distribution of life-saving opioid overdose reversal medications.
- Preventing and Addressing Neonatal Exposure: $789,231 will support two awards to develop and implement interventions in rural communities to prevent, treat, and care for opioid exposed infants by focusing on systems of care, family supports, and social determinants of health.
A full list of award recipients can be found online.
