HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Northern Kentucky University received nearly $2 million in federal funding to assist communities greatly impacted by the opioid epidemic.
U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services awarded the funds to support its Five-Point-Opioid Strategy — a comprehensive plan to empower local communities on the frontline of the crisis.
According to NKU officials, the university’s Institute for Health Innovation is working in Owen County, which has one of the highest risk rates for drug overdoses in the region, but limited treatment facilities.
NKU President Ashish Vaidya said the funding from HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration will support Kentucky’s rural communities and the groups helping to break down barriers.
“This regional collaboration is necessary to enhance opioid use disorder services and expand early intervention and access to treatment and support,” Vaidya said. “We are proud to partner to address this critical population health concern.”
NKU received $1 million as part of HRSA’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), an initiative to address barriers to access in rural communities.
The university also received $847,008 from HRSA’s Opioid Workforce Expansion Programs (OWEP) for Professionals and Paraprofessionals. The award supports training programs across the behavioral health provider spectrum.
“The collaboration that went into receiving these grants is truly a transdisciplinary effort, spanning nine community partners in northern Kentucky and seven departments across NKU,” said Dr. Valerie Hardcastle, St. Elizabeth Healthcare executive director of the Institute for Health Innovation. “We hope these funds allow us to scale up the work we are doing in Owen County to serve as blue print for other rural communities.”
In addition to NKU, the University of Cincinnati received about $1.3 million from the federal government to help combat Ohio’s addiction crisis.
