Organizations launch projects to reduce overdose deaths in Kentucky’s BIPOC and under-resourced communities
Ten organizations from across Kentucky received awards from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky’s Funding for Recovery Equity and Expansion (FREE II) program. This program is a partnership with the Kentucky Overdose Response Effort (KORE) within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The grants will expand outreach and engagement to Kentucky’s BIPOC and minoritized communities in accessing services and support for substance use treatment and recovery, and/or reduce the stigma around accessing such interventions. According to the 2023 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, the state saw an overall decline in fatal overdoses while overdose deaths of black Kentuckians slightly rose instead, highlighting the need for this targeted funding.
The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky (FHKY) will support the grantees throughout their projects to help them utilize their resources and grow their capacity.
The following organizations received grants for $50,000:
Appalshop - Appalshop is a media, arts, and education center located in Whitesburg, Kentucky, in the heart of the southern Appalachian region. Its project will engage two part-time, BIPOC interns who are in active substance use recovery programs and groups and have lived experience with poverty to create radio content that destigmatizes substance use disorder (SUD).
Black Counseling and Consulting Collective – The organization provides comprehensive mental health services across the Louisville metro area, with a particular focus on marginalized communities. Its project will include community listening sessions, support and professional development for mental health and recovery professionals.
Bluegrass Harm Reduction Alliance – The Bluegrass Harm Reduction Alliance will use this funding to expand Narcan distribution and training in Lexington, implement trauma-informed outreach, and launch a post-use monitoring pilot program to track recovery process.
Empowher with Open Arms- The organization focuses on providing services in the Jefferson County region to reduce the effects of trauma exposure. It will use the grant funds to provide BIPOC community members with SUD access to evidence-based individual mental health services, as well as hosting psychoeducational groups centered around substance use recovery, emotional management, and parenting.
Four Rivers Foundation – The Fulton, Kentucky based organization supports and provides resources for underserved children in low-income school districts. It will use the grant funds to expand the organization’s efforts to reach underserved BIPOC students to provide physical and mental health services and to treat underlying causes of mental health, substance use disorders, and chronic absenteeism.
Frankfort CARES Coalition – The Coalition provides resources to community agencies in Franklin County so that every person has what they need to thrive. Its project will introduce Community Connectors to the area to build relationships with minoritized communities and connect individuals to SUD care.
NAMI KY – The National Alliance on Mental Illness Kentucky Chapter will use the funds to implement two nationally endorsed programs that lead discussions on mental health and wellness in BIPOC and Latinx communities: NAMI Sharing Hope and NAMI Compartiendo Esperanza. The programs will be available on a statewide basis.
RiverValley Behavioral Health – The organization is a safety net provider in Daviess, Henderson, Ohio, Webster, McLean, Union, and Hancock counties. Its project includes partnering with the HL Neblet Community Center to provide peer support services to members of the BIPOC community.
The Support Agency – The organization works in the Lake Cumberland area to empower older adults to have the best quality of life possible. It will use the funds for outreach, education, advocacy, as well as consultation and referral for aging and substance use issues.
Voices of Community Activists and Leaders (VOCAL-KY) – The organization is headquartered in Louisville and aims to build power among low-income people affected by HIV/AIDS, the drug war, mass incarceration, and homelessness. It will use the funds to bolster its services and expand its capacity to support more people.
The grant period ends September 30, 2025. This is the second iteration of funding for the FREE program.
This project is supported by the Kentucky Overdose Response Effort (KORE) via Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grants H79TI085782 and H79TI087770.