Applications Open for Initiative to Support Rural County Residents with Substance Use Disorders

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BlogThe United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose deaths. While no corner of the country has gone untouched, the overdose crisis has hit rural America particularly hard. Between 1999 and 2015, overdose deaths increased 325 percent in rural counties.Applications Open for Initiative to Support Rural County Residents with Substance Use Disorders
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Blog
Applications Open for Initiative to Support Rural County Residents with Substance Use Disorders
The United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose deaths. While no corner of the country has gone untouched, the overdose crisis has hit rural America particularly hard. Between 1999 and 2015, overdose deaths increased 325 percent in rural counties. As counties are on the front lines of this crisis, providing leaders in rural communities with the appropriate resources and strategies to overcome substance use-related challenges in their communities is key.
Informational Session
If you want to learn more about this initiative and application process, IIR shared an informational webinar. Listen here.
NACo and our partners at the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance, the CDC and the State Justice Institute, are excited to announce the new initiative, Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions.
This new initiative is grounded in the value of “for rural, by rural.” The hallmark of the Reaching Rural initiative is learning from rural practitioners and facilitating engagement across rural communities.
What is the Reaching Rural initiative?
The Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions initiative is a one-year project designed for rural justice and public safety practitioners; public health and behavioral health practitioners; city, county, and tribal leaders; and community groups. The initiative empowers rural practitioners to build deeper cross-sector networks; reimagine how diverse systems with different missions can engage with one another to more effectively serve justice-involved individuals with substance use or co-occurring disorders; and adopt bold solutions to the persistent challenge of substance use and misuse in rural communities. This is not a grant opportunity.
Participation in the Reaching Rural initiative offers:
- Travel and per diem costs to participate in an orientation, a field visit to observe the implementation of evidence-informed practices in a rural setting and a capstone session at the end of the 12-month initiative
- Monthly mentorship and guidance aimed toward your local needs
- Monthly assignments that help you apply core concepts to your local community or region
- Access to a diverse network of rural peers, innovative rural communities, and technical assistance providers; and
- Formal recognition for completing the planning initiative.
How to Apply
Applicants may apply to participate in the Reaching Rural initiative as an individual practitioner or as member of a cross-sector team from the same community or region. Participation is limited to up to 20 individual practitioners and up to 10 cross-sector teams.
To apply, you may access the Reaching Rural application here. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2022 at 5:00 pm ET.
Additional Resources
NACo’s Opioid Solutions Center is a comprehensive information hub that empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and other public health practices that can save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorders. The Opioid Solutions Center provides practical tools, case examples and connections to organizations who can help county leaders pursue solutions for their communities.
Questions?
Please reach out to Nastassia Walsh, nwalsh@naco.org, with any questions about the initiative.
The United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose deaths. While no corner of the country has gone untouched, the overdose crisis has hit rural America particularly hard.2022-08-17Blog2022-09-09
The United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose deaths. While no corner of the country has gone untouched, the overdose crisis has hit rural America particularly hard. Between 1999 and 2015, overdose deaths increased 325 percent in rural counties. As counties are on the front lines of this crisis, providing leaders in rural communities with the appropriate resources and strategies to overcome substance use-related challenges in their communities is key.
Informational SessionIf you want to learn more about this initiative and application process, IIR shared an informational webinar. Listen here. |
NACo and our partners at the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance, the CDC and the State Justice Institute, are excited to announce the new initiative, Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions.
This new initiative is grounded in the value of “for rural, by rural.” The hallmark of the Reaching Rural initiative is learning from rural practitioners and facilitating engagement across rural communities.
What is the Reaching Rural initiative?
The Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions initiative is a one-year project designed for rural justice and public safety practitioners; public health and behavioral health practitioners; city, county, and tribal leaders; and community groups. The initiative empowers rural practitioners to build deeper cross-sector networks; reimagine how diverse systems with different missions can engage with one another to more effectively serve justice-involved individuals with substance use or co-occurring disorders; and adopt bold solutions to the persistent challenge of substance use and misuse in rural communities. This is not a grant opportunity.
Participation in the Reaching Rural initiative offers:
- Travel and per diem costs to participate in an orientation, a field visit to observe the implementation of evidence-informed practices in a rural setting and a capstone session at the end of the 12-month initiative
- Monthly mentorship and guidance aimed toward your local needs
- Monthly assignments that help you apply core concepts to your local community or region
- Access to a diverse network of rural peers, innovative rural communities, and technical assistance providers; and
- Formal recognition for completing the planning initiative.
How to Apply
Applicants may apply to participate in the Reaching Rural initiative as an individual practitioner or as member of a cross-sector team from the same community or region. Participation is limited to up to 20 individual practitioners and up to 10 cross-sector teams.
To apply, you may access the Reaching Rural application here. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2022 at 5:00 pm ET.
Additional Resources
NACo’s Opioid Solutions Center is a comprehensive information hub that empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and other public health practices that can save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorders. The Opioid Solutions Center provides practical tools, case examples and connections to organizations who can help county leaders pursue solutions for their communities.
Questions?
Please reach out to Nastassia Walsh, nwalsh@naco.org, with any questions about the initiative.

About Nastassia Walsh (Full Bio)
Director of Programs and Operations
Nastassia Walsh is Director of Programs and Operations for the Counties Futures Lab at the National Association of Counties where she oversees the day-to-day management of NACo’s programs and networks that help counties across the country improve community outcomes on key local issues including criminal justice, health, behavioral health, economMore from Nastassia Walsh
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Reports & Toolkits
Opioid Solutions Center
NACo’s Opioid Solutions Center empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder.
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Policy Brief
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Urge your members of Congress to maintain consistent funding for substance use and mental health services provided through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and pass legislation that enhances counties’ ability to provide local systems of care. Future appropriations bills should meet or exceed FY 2022 funding levels, particularly for the Community Mental Health Services (MHBG) and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) block grants, which allow counties to direct resources to those with the most need. -
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Urge your members of Congress, especially those who serve on the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees, to protect funding for local public health services and prevention programs made possible by the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF).
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March 2, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmReducing the number of people arrested and booked into jails for low-level offenses and misdemeanors through diversion and citations, as well as outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court or not paying fines and fees, can help decrease jail populations by reserving detention beds for people who are a risk to public safety or a serious f03022:00 pm<p>Reducing the number of people arrested and booked into jails for low-level offenses and misdemeanors through diversion and citations, as well as outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court or not paying fines and fees, can h
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April 6, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmReducing recidivism through effective jail- and community-based services can decrease jail admissions and populations and improve outcomes for people with criminal histories.04062:00 pm<p>Reducing recidivism through effective jail- and community-based services can decrease jail admissions and populations and improve outcomes for people with criminal histories.</p>
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The Stepping Up Initiative
In May 2015, NACo and partners at the CSG Justice Center and APA Foundation launched Stepping Up: A National Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails.pagepagepage<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out">
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Reports & Toolkits
COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse
The COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse features timely resources for counties, including allocation estimations, examples of county programs using federal coronavirus relief funds, the latest news and more.Reports & Toolkitsdocument03127:15 pmReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="ad-block no-top-margin no-bullets">
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Live Healthy U.S. Counties
The National Association of Counties (NACo) Live Healthy Prescription, Health & Dental Discount Program is a NO-COST program available to all member counties.pagepagepage<h1>With <a id="naco" name="naco">NACo</a>, Saving Feels Better</h1>
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TestIT: How Fast is Your Broadband
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Agriculture & Rural Affairs Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to USDA agriculture, rural development programs, rural renewable energy development, research and extension, food safety, and conservation programs. Policy Platform 2021-2022 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to USDA agriculture, rural development programs, rural renewable energy development, research and extension, food safety, and conservation programs. </p>
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Justice & Public Safety Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to criminal justice and public safety systems, including criminal justice planning, law enforcement, courts, corrections, homeland security, community crime prevention, juvenile justice and delinquency prevention, emergency management, fire prevention and control, and civil disturbances.pagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to criminal justice and public safety systems, including criminal justice planning, law enforcement, courts, corrections, homeland security, community crime prevention, juvenile justice and delinquency preven
Contact
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Director of Programs and Operations(202) 942-4289
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Policy BriefEnhance Counties' Ability to Prevent and Treat Mental Illness and Substance Use DisordersFeb. 1, 2023
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6Apr2023Webinar
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Apr. 6, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
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