New Federal Grant Announced to Combat Opioid Crisis in Rural Areas

The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy has announced a new funding opportunity to address the opioid epidemic in rural areas.

The Rural Health Opioid Program will bring together health care providers, such as local health departments, hospitals, primary care practices, and substance abuse treatment centers, as well as social service, law enforcement, and other community groups to respond to the opioid epidemic in a rural community. Approximately $3 million will be awarded annually for up to 12 grantees for 2017 to 2020. Applications are due July 21, 2017.

The goal of the Rural Health Opioid Program is to reduce opioid overdose deaths in rural communities. Consortiums will work toward identifying individuals at-risk of overdose and providing outreach and education on locally available treatment and support services.

Interested organizations can participate in a technical assistance webinar on July 13. Additional information about this grant opportunity is available here.