A recovery support organization in Rowan County will soon have a physical location thanks to a grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services. Recovery Rowan County was formed last year to support people in recovery from substance use disorders. Group leaders said the $300,000 grant will allow them to establish the Rowan County Recovery Community Organization (RCO) through a partnership with St. Claire Healthcare.
The grant will support the RCO for one year. Officials said the goal is to reduce social barriers that cause a stigma for individuals with a substance or opioid use disorder so they can access treatment and counseling. Gene Detherage is the Chairman of the Board for Recovery Rowan County. He said founders of the RCO recognized that several different entities existed within Rowan County to help people in recovery.
“Our idea was to create a neutral space where all the providers in the community could further support individuals, particularly after they complete an episode of treatment,” said Detherage.
Detherage added that the RCO will not duplicate any services that the community is already providing. Instead, they want to partner with those organizations so they can better connect people to resources.
Luke Stapleton is the Director of the Northeast Kentucky Substance Use Response Coalition. He said this new establishment will be able to fund numerous resources including recovery housing, employer stipends, and transportation.
“We’re also looking to purchase, which we have funds for, a van. Now that will come later in the grant but a van that can actually, ‘I need to go to treatment or I...’, we can actually transport you there. Transportations a huge barrier, especially in Eastern Kentucky,” said Stapleton.
The RCO’s goal is to have a physical space for these resources set up by November. Services are intended for Rowan County citizens who are currently in recovery, seeking to start recovery, and the family and friends of people in recovery.