Project Grant 20214610035335

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION PROPOSES IMPLEMENTING EXTENSION PROGRAMS ON THE PREVENTION OF OPIOID MISUSE AND THE ENHANCEMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH. THIS PROPOSED PROJECT WILL BUILD UPON SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS OF THE MARYLAND RURAL OPIOID TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT AND ADJUST ITS APPROACH TO ADDRESS HIGH-PRIORITY NEEDS IDENTIFIED DURING THE PANDEMIC IN THE MOST RURAL COUNTIES IN MARYLAND. THE OVERARCHING GOALS ARE I) TO REDUCE/PREVENT OPIOID OVERDOSE-RELATED DEATHS BY INCREASING KNOWLEDGE AND SELF-EFFICACY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, AND II) TO STRENGTHEN THE LOCAL CAPACITY TO ADDRESS THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IN CAROLINE, DORCHESTER, GARRET, KENT AND TALBOT COUNTIES, AND STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. FOR GOAL 1, WE PROPOSE TO TEACH 1000 ADULTS AND 100 YOUTH (6-12 GRADES) WITH EVIDENCE-BASED OR INFORMED CURRICULA SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (MHFA), REGROUNDING OUR RESPONSE SERIES, OPIOID PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, FARM STRESS REDUCTION, MIND-BODY STRESS REDUCTION PROGRAM, AND THIS IS NOT ABOUT DRUGS. FOR GOAL 2, WE WILL PROVIDE THE INSTRUCTOR TRAINING IN MHFA AND BOTVIN LIFESKILLS FOR 54 EXTENSION FACULTY, COMMUNITY LEADERS, TEACHERS, AND OTHERS. BY THE END OF THE PROJECT, 70% OF PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO INDICATE AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE, SELF-EFFICACY, AND INTENTION TO CHANGE BEHAVIORS ON OPIOID MISUSE PREVENTION AND REDUCTION, AND 2) 70% OF TRAINEES INDICATE AN INCREASE IN COMPETENCIES, LIKELIHOOD, AND READINESS TO DELIVER EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS. FOR LONG-TERM OUTCOMES, A DECREASE IN OPIOID-RELATED OVERDOSES AND DEATHS AND AN INCREASE IN ACCESS/UTILIZATION OF MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL SERVICES, AND IMPROVED PROTECTIVE FACTORS IN FAMILY, SCHOOL, AND COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT ARE EXPECTED.