Collaboration

Like many communities nationwide, Reno County in Kansas has faced rising Substance Use Disorder (SUD) rates and related harms. In response, the Reno Recovery Collaborative (RRC) was formed, uniting citizens, the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, law enforcement and schools to reduce harm and support those affected by SUD.

Since 2020, the RRC has utilized ODMAP and a Suspected Overdose Dashboard for timely data insights. Hutchinson Regional’s Opioid Stewardship Committee, in collaboration with the RRC, has improved communication, reduced stigma and expanded access to treatment, including MAT, additional treatment beds and a mobile methadone clinic. Overdoses have decreased, partly due to reduced stigma, encouraging more families to seek care, contributing to a 2% decline in fatal overdoses. The RRC’s resource site, www.renorecoveryks.com, offers citizens access to non-stigmatizing tools, screening resources and overdose data to support the community.

Launched in 2019, the partnership between Sentara Health and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Hampton Roads focuses on addressing social drivers of health by investing in affordable housing, workforce development, and support for local businesses. The initiative aims to enhance access to healthcare, create supportive housing, and provide job training to improve economic opportunities and community well-being.

As part of their partnership, some notable accomplishments include providing $450,000 for the predevelopment of an upcoming 50-unit multi-family rental facility called Newport Gardens; $500,000 for the construction of 40 additional studio apartments making a total of 100 at Gosnold Apartments; and awarding ForKids a second one-year grant to four sites that provide emergency shelter for families and children. This alliance between Sentara Health and LISC plays a vital role in fostering collaboration among local organizations to address social drivers of health, particularly housing needs.

Our Lady of Hope Health Center collaborated with Central Virginia Healthcare Coalition and HQI for a comprehensive review of its Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP), fostering collaboration among multiple stakeholders. Involving representatives from the regional healthcare coalition provided valuable insights for enhancing preparedness and established a lasting partnership. Facility leadership actively participated in the process, benefiting from additional resources such as an in-depth EPP review, tabletop exercises, after-action reports, and Hazard Vulnerability Assessment tools. In addition, they created and implemented a comprehensive Communication Plan to actively involve residents and families in the development, planning, and execution of emergency preparedness initiatives.