Baptist Health Richmond receives million-dollar grant to fund three-year opioid, substance abuse program
Grant will help combat substance abuse in Madison, Estill, Garrard, Rockcastle and Jackson Counties.
RICHMOND, KY (August 11, 2021) – Baptist Health Richmond, in partnership with the Baptist Health Foundations of Corbin and Richmond, has received a $1 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to combat opioid and substance abuse in Madison, Estill, Garrard, Rockcastle and Jackson Counties.
“It is an exciting day for Baptist Health Richmond as this grant will assist us in our efforts to reduce the substance and opioid abuse crisis plaguing the communities we serve,” said Greg D. Gerard, Baptist Health Richmond President. “We are committed to increasing and improving the behavioral health services available to those in need.”
The grant team responsible for overseeing the implementation and success of the grant, known as the Baptist Health Richmond Integrated Care Consortium, includes Baptist Health Richmond, Baptist Health Corbin, Baptist Health Richmond Pharmacy, Baptist Health Richmond Behavioral Health, Baptist Health Medical Group and Stepworks Recovery Centers.
The consortium will develop an infrastructure that will support a successful and sustainable comprehensive opioid use disorder/substance use disorder (SUD/OUD) treatment model. Programming will include expanding substance abuse treatment in the community by adding specialists, increasing community awareness and prevention and collaborating with the Madison Co. Detention Center to establish treatment plans for inmates with SUD/OUD prior to their release.
“At Baptist Health Richmond we believe mental health is equally as important as physical health,” Gerard said. “I’m thrilled to know this grant will allow our team the opportunity to enhance our mission to deliver compassionate, personalized care to help our patients thrive, not just survive.”
“On behalf of the Baptist Health Foundation of Richmond, it brings us incredible joy knowing that through generosity, such as this grant, we will help enhance our behavioral health services and profoundly impact our community now and for years to come,” said Kari Martin, Baptist Health Foundation of Richmond Director.
Baptist Health Richmond Behavioral Health services include psychotherapy, family sessions, medication management, addiction and substance abuse treatment and a chemical dependency intensive outpatient program. Behavioral health – specifically curbing opioid abuse – is a major focus for the nine-hospital Baptist Health system. System-wide efforts include integrating care to provide holistic treatment.
For more information about Baptist Health Richmond Behavioral Health, call 859.544.8171 or visit BaptistHealth.com/Richmond. The Behavioral Health team also provides a 24 hour/7 days a week helpline to assist in providing support. To contact the helpline, call 1.800.395.4435.
To learn more about the Baptist Health Foundation of Richmond, visit supportbaptisthealth.org/richmond or call 859.625.3939.