D0649161

Rural Health Network Development Program - Applicant Organization Information:
Ferris State University, 1201 S State St., Big Rapids, MI 49307-2747
Facility/Entity Type: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) Institute of Higher Education
Website: www.ferris.edu

Project Director: Gail L. Bullard, DHED RN
Phone Number: 517-281-2225
Email: gailbullard@ferris.edu

Key Staff:
Principal Investigator: Scott Sexton, PharmD
Phone Number: 231-591-2240
Email: scottsexton@ferris.edu
Grants Administrator: Wendy Stapp
Phone Number: 231-591-2547
Email: wendystapp@ferris.edu
Interim Network Director: Jessica A. Wimmer, BA
Phone Number: 231-519-1115
Email: jesi.wimmer@gmail.com

Rural Health Network Development Project:
Project Title: Rural Substance Use Disorder Network: Ferris State University (CMREN-FSU)
Goal: Network development of a sober recovery ecosystem to 1) decrease the incidence of overdose-related morbidity and mortality, 2) increase the incidence of long-term recovery, and 3) decrease the incidence of overdose and substance use disorder (SUD) through improved integrated care for persons with SUD, with a special focus on those with SUD in four subpopulations: veterans, pregnant women, those released from incarceration, and homeless adolescents and adults.

Focus Area(s): Substance Use Disorder
Target Patient Population: Individuals with SUD in the Michigan four-county area of Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola with subpopulation focus as described in the project goal. The persons reside in HRSA designated rural counties with health professional shortage areas for primary care, mental health, and dental care.

Network Members:
Network Name: Central Michigan Recovery and Education Network: Ferris State University
Total Number of Member Organizations: 13
Facility/Entity Type of Organizations: 7 types: higher education, public health, behavioral health, health care, SUD prevention, recovery support, and humanitarian.

Network Project Activities/Services:
Jointly, the network will identify gaps and amplify services to develop seamless integrated care for those seeking sustainable SUD recovery.

Expected Outcomes:
Improve Access: Cooperatively reduce gaps in care, workforce shortages, workflow processes, and quality of health care services for persons with SUD to improve access to quality, affordable care.
Expand Capacity and Services: Jointly develop effective knowledge, skills, structures, and leadership models for expanded capacity using integrated care for SUD services including use of university clinics that train the future workforce.
Enhance Outcomes: Develop a sober recovery ecosystem to increase incidence of long-term recovery and lower overdose deaths through a team approach to improve patient and network outcomes which amplify community SUD services, activities, and interventions.
Sustainability: Jointly create a sustainable business model of SUD-focused health programs by developing a sober recovery ecosystem through value-based, integrated care and population health management.

Capacity to Serve Rural Underserved Populations:
Ferris State University completed initial planning through a HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Planning Grant, RCORP Planning II (Grant #G25RH32943), establishing a coalition to address SUD through HRSA RCORP-Implementation Grant (Grant #GA1RH39558) to implement services to reduce the morbidity and mortality of SUD, including opioid use disorder (OUD). Successes include pharmacy SUD telehealth, community SUD education, Narcan distribution, and a new Families Against Narcotics chapter including a Hope Not Handcuffs program. These initiatives demonstrate the network's collaborative ability to address the underserved rural populations experiencing SUD.

Funding Preference Qualification 1: Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). Ferris State University is in Big Rapids, Michigan, Mecosta County. All network counties, Mecosta, Montcalm, Osceola, and Newaygo, have HPSA designation.

Ferris State University

NOT APPLICABLE

93.912 - Rural Health Care Services Outreach, Rural Health Network Development and Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement

HRSA Office of Federal Assistance Management (OFAM) [HHS - HRSA]

Michigan United States

State-Wide

Rural Health Network Development Program (HRSA-23-030)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 200% from $300,000 to $900,000.