News & Updates — Program Brief

We’re pleased to announce the publication of a new issue brief that highlights strategies for strengthening prevention, treatment, and recovery supports in rural communities.

Drawing on lessons from ten FORE grantees, the issue brief presents innovative, community-driven models designed to overcome significant barriers to care in rural communities, including shortages of behavioral health providers, stigma, and limited transportation.

These initiatives illustrate how states can build workforce capacity using novel training and engagement strategies that bring a broad range of professionals — among them paramedics, pharmacists, and teachers — into opioid response efforts. They also show how community-based organizations leverage local trust and expertise to identify unmet needs and bridge gaps across the health, education, and legal sectors, making it easier for individuals and families affected by opioid use disorder to find support close to home.

We hope their work and insights are useful to states and local communities as they develop implementation plans for the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program fund. “The program offers a rare opportunity for rural communities to define and secure resources for what matters most to them,” says Ken Shatzkes, PhD, FORE’s program director.

Webinar TOMORROW: Opportunities to Improve Rural Responses to Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose (March 26, 2026)

Many rural Americans have less access to addiction treatment and recovery services for opioid use disorder (OUD) than those living in suburbs or cities, due to increased stigma, a dearth of trained providers, and a lack of non-medical supports. With the authorization of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a $50 billion federal initiative to empower states to strengthen rural health systems across America, there is a prime opportunity to expand and improve access to OUD treatment and responses to overdose in rural America as part of the broader challenges facing rural communities today.

FORE grantees are analyzing the targeted behavioral health priorities being advanced by states in their RHTP applications and are identifying opportunities to reach those affected by OUD and overdose in rural communities, helping to overcome the barriers that can keep them from getting treatment and recovery services.

Please join us on Thursday, March 26th at 2-3 pm ET as we welcome…

• Katie Greene, MPP | Director, Population and Public Health, and
  Rebekah Falkner, MSW | Senior Policy Associate
  Grantee: National Academy for State Health Policy
  Project: Strengthening State-Level Prevention, Treatment, Recovery, and Harm Reduction Infrastructure to Address the Opioid and Substance Use Crisis
• CJ Loiselle | Assistant Director, Division of Behavioral Health and Housing
  Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System
• Brinna Ludwig, Esq. | Program Director, Rural Health Transformation Plan
  Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

• Nancy Winmill | CEO and Executive Director
  Grantee: Simply Hope Family Outreach (Idaho)
  Project: Rural Opioid Response Plan
• Kevin Ford, LAC, KCGC | Substance Use Program Director
  Grantee: The Center for Counseling & Consultation (Kansas)
  Project: Opioid Use Disorder Program Development
• Matthew Burgan, NRP, CP-C | Board Certified Community Paramedic
  Grantee: Frederick County Division of Fire & Rescue Services (Maryland)
  Project: Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST) Program

… as they discuss the current barriers and opportunities on the horizon for rural communities to strengthen access to OUD treatment and overdose services.

Register for the Webinar Here

We invite you to look at our Resources page for the most up-to-date information and guidance. You can view a recording of our previous webinars below. As always, please reach out with questions and/or resources that you believe would benefits others.