NLH receives Federal Grant to Combat Opioid Crisis

Date: 08/19/2020

Northern Light Health receives $1M Federal grant to combat opioid crisis in rural communities of central Maine. 

Brewer, Maine (August 14, 2020) — Northern Light Health has received a $1 Million Federal grant to support community efforts towards establishing or enhancing opioid use prevention, treatment, and recovery services in rural communities served by our healthcare system. 

Northern Light Health, in collaboration with Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield, Northern Light Acadia Hospital, and a consortium of community partners, will work together to reduce the burden of substance use disorder/opioid use disorder (SUD/OUD) in the Sebasticook Valley region which includes the communities of Detroit, Dexter, Hartland, Newport, Palmyra, Pittsfield, and Saint Albans. 

“People in rural communities suffering with opioid use disorder face increased challenges accessing services during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a $1 million federal grant will go a long way in eliminating barriers to services that exist due to geographic limitations,” explained Terri Vieira, MHA, FACHE, president, Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital. 

During this three-year grant-funded project our work will be focused on five goals:

1. Improve regional coordination and communication for SUD/OUD response
2. Increase community awareness of substance use prevention and overdose response
3. Improve clinical workflow and data availability for screening and treatment referral of SUD/OUD
4. Improve access to comprehensive SUD/OUD treatment services
5. Improve regional community and clinical supports for treatment and recovery.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health and Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded $89 million to 89 rural organizations across 38 states as part of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Implementation (RCORP-Implementation). 
 
At Northern Light Health, we’re building a better approach to healthcare because we believe people deserve access to care that works for them. As an integrated health delivery system serving Maine, we’re raising the bar with no-nonsense solutions that are leading the way to a healthier future for our state. Our more than 12,000 team members—in our hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, long-term and home healthcare, and ground and air medical transport and emergency care—are committed to making healthcare work for you: our patients, communities, and employees. To learn more about Northern Light Health and our locations across Maine, visit www.northernlighthealth.org.