Our Impact

Funding was awarded to continue reducing the incidence and impact of NAS, by reducing structural and system barriers for rural pregnant and postpartum women and their families (e.g., transportation challenges, workforce shortages, reimbursement issues) to increase access to behavioral health care, especially for substance use disorders (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD). The Recovery is NWPA consortium worked together to address community risk factors and social needs that impact health outcomes. We collaborated to strengthen the quality and sustainability of behavioral health services by implementing coordinated, evidence‑based, trauma‑informed, family‑centered SUD/OUD and other services.

Focused Intervention for NAS Reduction in Venango County Grant

The NAS grant provided funding to help consortium agencies work together to reduce the incidence and impact of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in rural communities by improving systems of care, family supports and addressing social needs that impact health outcomes. 

NAS is a group of conditions that occur when newborns are exposed to substances (especially opioids) they were exposed to before birth.

The Recovery is NWPA consortium opened a program in rural NWPA to serve pregnant and postpartum women and their families. This program continues to operate, serving women and families, many of whom are sustaining long-term recovery.

Overdose Response Consortium Expansion in Northwest Pennsylvania Grant

The purpose of the Overdose Response Grant was to support improving health care in rural areas by addressing immediate and short-term needs related to the provision of substance use disorder services. The aim was to reduce and prevent the risk of overdoses in rural areas. 

• The consortium worked with community organizations to host 48 risk-reduction boxes where community members can obtain free naloxone/Narcan and prescription-drug disposal packets, as well as information about substance-use services. 
• We also convened a regional Physician Council of providers working together to identify drug trends and treatment needs. The Council continues to operate after the grant ended. 

Strengthening Prevention, Treatment and Recovery for Individuals who Misuse Psychostimulants in Northwest Pennsylvania Grant

The Psychostimulant Support grant aimed to strengthen and expand prevention, treatment, and recovery services for individuals in rural areas who misuse psychostimulants, with the goal of improving access to care and supporting long-term recovery. 

The Recovery is NWPA Consortium worked together to enhance access to prevention, treatment, and recovery, by educating our regional workforce and role-modeling evidence-based interventions and promising practices aligned with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Overdose Prevention Strategy. 

This grant targeted a category of drugs called psychostimulants, which includes methamphetamine, illegal drugs like cocaine and ecstasy, and prescription stimulants (e.g., for ADHD or depression). The consortium curated and presented a variety of virtual training sessions

Treatment and Recovery for Women and Families in Northwestern Pennsylvania Grant

The Implementation grant provided funding to strengthen and expand substance use disorder services in rural communities. The goal was to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) in rural areas. 

Women and Families Rural Opioid Response Planning for Northwestern Pennsylvania Grant

This planning grant provided funding to help rural communities develop plans for substance use disorder and opioid use disorder services. It was awarded to communities that build partnerships to address SUD through multi-sector consortia, strategic planning, and initial program development.