The Marshall University Center of Excellence for Recovery, in collaboration with Westbrook Health Services, has received a $3 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Rural Communities Opioid Response Program. This grant aims to address the pressing issue of opioid use in rural West Virginia by expanding access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and support services.
Amy Saunders is the managing director for the Center of Excellence for Recovery.
“We are excited about this collaboration with Westbrook Health Services,” Saunders said. “This project will allow us to help reach people with substance use disorders where they are. This project will establish new access points for essential care in underserved rural communities, where access and services are limited.”
President and CEO of Westbrook Health Services Kevin Trippett says Westbrook is happy to be a part of the collaborative effort.
“Westbrook is extremely excited about this opportunity,” Trippett, said. “With this grant, we will be able to purchase our second mobile MAT unit, a mobile vehicle with private space for patients to connect with a medical professional via tele health for management of medications for individuals with substance use disorder. This will bring services to those in need who might otherwise not have access to reliable care for them to reach the path to recovery.”
By combining the expertise of Westbrook Health Services, an experienced local behavioral health center, and the Marshall University Center of Excellence for Recovery, this collaboration will offer MOUD access and support in the heart of the communities that need it most. Together, their efforts hold the potential to create a substantial positive impact on the lives of numerous individuals in West Virginia and stand as a model for pioneering approaches to address the rural opioid crisis.
To learn more about the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Rural Communities Opioid Response Program visit https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/opioid-response.