Rural communities opioid response program-overdose response - greater impact 1 project abstract project title: gallatin recovery expansion, treatment and overdose prevention (great-OP) greater…

Rural communities opioid response program-overdose response - greater impact 1 project abstract project title: gallatin recovery expansion, treatment and overdose prevention (great-OP) greater impact rural communities opioid response program - implementation (opportunity number: hrsa-25-010) applicant organization: greater impact target service area: gallatin county, montana funding request: $299,598.00 for a 12-month project period (september 1, 2025 to august 31, 2026) project director: ashley umbaugh project summary: greater impact proposes the gallatin recovery expansion, treatment, and overdose prevention (great-OP) project to reduce overdose risks, expand access to care, and strengthen recovery support services for individuals impacted by substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) in rural gallatin county, montana. The project will establish a recovery community organization (RCO) in bozeman, providing: •a physical access point for low-barrier recovery support services. •a networked system of local providers for treatment, harm reduction, and peer support. •a community resource center offering naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and essential items. Key activities & alignment prevention - naloxone and test strip distribution (tier 1.1) •develop and implement a harm reduction strategy for the distribution of naloxone and fentanyl test strips across gallatin county. •train local stakeholders (law enforcement, emergency responders, community organizations) on overdose prevention and naloxone administration. Treatment - screening and referral to care (tier 1.3) •implement a standardized screening and warm-handoff model to connect individuals with evidence-based treatment and behavioral health services. •partner with community health partners (CHP) to conduct screenings and referrals to low-barrier providers in the region. •ensure that all individuals who screen positive for SUD/OUD receive facilitated referrals to appropriate services. Recovery - expansion of peer recovery services (tier 1.3 & tier 1.2) •recruit, train, and deploy peer recovery support specialists (prss) to assist individuals at key access points, including emergency departments, behavioral health clinics, and community-based settings. •establish and staff the RCO site as a central hub for peer recovery support and coordination of care. •provide ongoing mentorship and professional development for prss to ensure sustainability and quality service delivery. Capacity building - strategic planning & network development (tier 2) •conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to align services with community priorities and develop a regional strategic plan. •formalize a network of local providers through mous, creating a shared framework for collaboration, training, and integrated service delivery. •establish regular network meetings and workforce development initiatives to improve cross-sector coordination. Sustainability & evaluation •develop a robust evaluation framework using quantitative and qualitative measures to track service utilization, overdose prevention efforts, and client outcomes. •engage key stakeholders and funders (local government, healthcare agencies, law enforcement) to integrate project activities into long-term funding streams (e.g., opioid settlement funds, medicaid reimbursement models). •disseminate findings and best practices at local, state, and national meetings to inform future SUD/OUD response strategies. Impact & expected outcomes by addressing service gaps in prevention, treatment, and recovery, great-OP will: •increase naloxone distribution and reduce opioid-related overdose fatalities. •improve access to SUD/OUD treatment through enhanced screening, referrals, and care coordination. •expand peer recovery support services to reduce relapse rates and improve long-term recovery outcomes. •strengthen the regional network of providers to ensure sustainable, community-driven solutions.