Vegas Stronger

PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE, INTEGRATED, AND EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT AND ASSISTANCE TO PERSONS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS OR CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS. - ABSTRACT PROJECT NAME: VEGAS STRONGER - TIEH VEGAS STRONGER, A NONPROFIT SERVING THE LAS VEGAS VALLEY, WILL PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE, INTEGRATED, AND EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT TO YOUTH, SPANISH SPEAKING INDIVIDUALS, AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR AT IMMINENT RISK OF BEING HOMELESS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE, AND CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS. THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED BY HIRING STAFF TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE-BASED, TRAUMA-INFORMED, AND CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE TREATMENT PROGRAMS. THIS INCLUDES TWO COUNSELORS (INCLUDING ONE YOUTH COUNSELOR), A CASE MANAGER, A BILINGUAL OUTREACH SPECIALIST AND A BILINGUAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST. HELP HOPE HOME’S 2022 POINT-IN-TIME RESULTS SHOWED 5,645 PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN SOUTHERN NEVADA. THE REPORT FURTHER DISCLOSED THAT 516 WERE INDIVIDUALS IN FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND 314 WERE UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS. THE SURVEY REVEALED THAT 74% OF THE HOMELESS POPULATION SELF-REPORTED A DISABLING CONDITION, AND OF THOSE, 36% CITED SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND 33% CITED MENTAL HEALTH. THERE ARE THREE ZIP CODES IN THE SERVICE AREA WITH A SIGNIFICANT DEMAND FOR SERVICES. VEGAS STRONGER IS LOCATED IN ZIP CODE 89101 AND FOCUSES ON THIS ZIP CODE AS WELL AS THE TWO ADJACENT ZIP CODES, 89106 AND 89030. THIS AREA CONTAINS A 57% HISPANIC POPULATION AND 49.85% SPANISH-SPEAKING HOUSEHOLDS. GOALS OF THE PROGRAM ARE: GOAL #1 - PROVIDE OUTREACH EFFORTS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES. GOAL #2 INCREASE CAPACITY FOR TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES BY EXPANDING EVIDENCE-BASED, TRAUMA-INFORMED, AND CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE TREATMENT FOR SMI, SED, AND COD. GOAL #3 INCREASE ACCESS TO COORDINATED SERVICES THAT ARE CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY SENSITIVE THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE HEALTH EQUITY. SPECIFIC STRATEGIES INCLUDE: - CONDUCT CONSISTENT AND SUPPORTIVE STREET AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. - ESTABLISH TWO NEW INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT (IOP) GROUPS, ONE FOR ADULTS AND ONE FOR YOUTH WITH COMPLIMENTARY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PEER SUPPORT SERVICES. - PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES INCLUDING, PROVIDING CARE COORDINATION, AND ASSISTING CLIENTS WITH ENROLLMENT IN MEDICAID, HEALTH INSURANCE, AND OTHER MAINSTREAM BENEFITS. - PROVIDE TELEHEALTH SERVICES. - IMPLEMENT TELEHEALTH SERVICES. - 116 CLIENTS ASSISTED WITH PERMANENT HOUSING (20 YEAR 1, 24 YEARS 2-5). - 580 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES (100 YEAR 1, 120 YEARS 2-5) - 580 INDIVIDUALS SCREENED FOR HEALTH INSURANCE, MEDICAID, AND/OR OTHER BENEFIT PROGRAMS AND ENROLLED IF NECESSARY AND ELIGIBLE. (100 YEAR 1, 120 YEARS 2-5) - NEW SPANISH VEGAS STRONGER WEBSITE (VEGASMASFUERTE.ORG) WITHIN EIGHT (8) MONTHS. - 870 BROCHURES PRINTED IN SPANISH HANDED OUT TO SPANISH-SPEAKING INDIVIDUALS (150 YEAR 2, 180 YEARS 2-5). ALL WRITTEN MATERIALS TO BE TRANSLATED TO SPANISH WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS. - SIGNS IN SPANISH TO BE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS. THE POPULATION OF FOCUS ARE YOUTH, SPANISH-SPEAKING INDIVIDUALS, AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR AT IMMINENT RISK OF BEING HOMELESS. ONE HUNDRED (100) CLIENTS WILL BE SERVED IN THE FIRST YEAR. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY (120) WILL BE SERVED IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS FOR A TOTAL OF FIVE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY UNDUPLICATED (580) INDIVIDUALS. BY THE END OF THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD, ACCESS TO TREATMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SMI/SED/COD WILL BE DRAMATICALLY INCREASED.

VEGAS STRONGER, PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS, AND SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE. - PROJECT NAME: VEGAS STRONGER BHP EARLY DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR ADULTS AND YOUTH PROJECT SUMMARY: VEGAS STRONGER IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS, AND SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE. THE PROJECT FOCUSES ON SERVING SPECIFIC POPULATIONS, INCLUDING VETERANS, SPANISH-SPEAKING INDIVIDUALS, YOUTH, AND THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR AT IMMINENT RISK. BY IMPLEMENTING PROACTIVE AND REHABILITATIVE APPROACHES, THE EARLY DIVERSION PROGRAM AIMS TO DIVERT INDIVIDUALS FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, ADDRESS UNDERLYING CAUSES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, REDUCE RECIDIVISM RATES, AND ENHANCE COMMUNITY SAFETY. PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THE EARLY DIVERSION PROGRAM IS TO OFFER ALTERNATIVES TO PROSECUTION AND INCARCERATION BY PROVIDING INTERVENTIONS AND SERVICES, SUCH AS COUNSELING, TREATMENT, EDUCATION, AND JOB TRAINING. THE PROGRAM SEEKS TO TRANSFORM LIVES POSITIVELY, FOSTER COMMUNITY INTEGRATION, AND REDUCE MENTAL HEALTH-RELATED CRISES. VEGAS STRONGER AIMS TO ENHANCE THE OVERALL WELL-BEING AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES OF INDIVIDUALS DEALING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND ADDICTION. YEAR 1 GOALS: 1. IMPLEMENT A SUCCESSFUL EARLY DIVERSION PROGRAM THAT DIVERTS AT LEAST 50% OF ELIGIBLE YOUTH AND ADULTS FROM THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND CONNECTS THEM WITH COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. 2. INCREASE THE DIVERSITY AND CULTURAL COMPETENCY OF THE WORKFORCE IN THE EARLY DIVERSION PROGRAM BY 20% THROUGH RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES, TRAINING PROGRAMS, AND FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT. 3. INCREASE COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND ENGAGEMENT WITH THE EARLY DIVERSION PROGRAM THROUGH MEETINGS, INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS. YEAR 2 GOAL: REDUCE THE RATE OF PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES AND CRISIS HOSPITALIZATIONS RELATED TO MENTAL ILLNESS BY 20% THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE CRISIS INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION SERVICES. YEAR 3 GOAL: INCREASE THE SOCIAL INCLUSION AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS BY SUCCESSFULLY REINTEGRATING 25% OF ENROLLED CLIENTS INTO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH INTEGRATION PROGRAMS. POPULATION AND NUMBER TO BE SERVED: THE PROJECT AIMS TO SERVE 325 INDIVIDUALS OVER THE COURSE OF FIVE YEARS, FOCUSING ON YOUTH, VETERANS, SPANISH-SPEAKERS, AND INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS

THIS PROJECT WILL INCREASE AND BROADEN ACCESS TO EFFECTIVE PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS. - PROJECT NAME: VEGAS STRONGER’S PEER SUPPORT INITIATIVE SUMMARY AND DEMOGRAPHICS: VEGAS STRONGER, A NONPROFIT SERVING THE LAS VEGAS VALLEY, WILL BROADEN ACCESS TO PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES TO (PRSS) INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (SUD) OR CO-OCCURRING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND MENTAL DISORDERS (COD) WITH A FOCUS ON SPANISH-SPEAKING ADULTS. THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED BY HIRING STAFF AND IMPLEMENTING A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PRSS INCLUDING ONE-ON-ONE AND GROUP SERVICES. HELP HOPE HOME’S 2023 POINT-IN-TIME RESULTS SHOWED 6,566 PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN SOUTHERN NEVADA. THE SURVEY REVEALED THAT 64% OF THE HOMELESS POPULATION SELF-REPORTED A DISABLING CONDITION, AND OF THOSE, 25% CITED SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND 29% CITED MENTAL HEALTH. THERE ARE THREE ZIP CODES IN THE SERVICE AREA WITH A SIGNIFICANT DEMAND FOR SERVICES. VEGAS STRONGER IS LOCATED IN ZIP CODE 89101 AND FOCUSES ON THIS ZIP CODE AS WELL AS THE TWO ADJACENT ZIP CODES, 89106 AND 89030. THIS AREA CONTAINS A 57% HISPANIC POPULATION AND 49.85% SPANISH-SPEAKING HOUSEHOLDS. GOALS: #1 - INCREASE CAPACITY FOR PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES BY EXPANDING EVIDENCE-BASED, TRAUMA-INFORMED, AND CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE SERVICES. #2 ENHANCE CULTURAL COMPETENCY WITHIN THE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS. #3 ASSIST WITH HEALTH INSURANCE, POVERTY, UNEMPLOYMENT, AND LACK OF EDUCATION BY OFFERING SUPPORT SYSTEMS. #4 REDUCE OVERDOSE DEATHS, ED VISITS, AND HOSPITALIZATIONS BY DISTRIBUTING AND PROVIDING TRAINING FOR FENTANYL TEST STRIPS AND NALOXONE. STRATEGIES: • HIRE, TRAIN, AND DEPLOY THREE (3) PEER SPECIALISTS (ONE BILINGUAL PS FLUENT IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH). • PROVIDE PEER SUPPORT SERVICES. • PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PEER SUPPORT TO CLIENTS SUFFERING FROM SUD/COD. • CONDUCT CONSISTENT AND SUPPORTIVE OUTREACH TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE PROGRAM. • INCREASE ACCESS TO CARE FOR SPANISH-SPEAKING POPULATIONS BY DISSEMINATING SPANISH-LANGUAGE MATERIALS. • DISTRIBUTE NALOXONE AND FENTANYL TEST STRIPS TO THE COMMUNITY. POPULATION AND NUMBER TO BE SERVED: FOCUS POPULATION INCLUDES SPANISH-SPEAKING ADULTS AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR AT IMMINENT RISK OF BEING HOMELESS WITH SUD OR COD. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY (180) CLIENTS WILL BE SERVED IN THE FIRST YEAR. TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY (240) WILL BE SERVED IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS FOR A TOTAL OF SIX HUNDRED AND SIXTY (660) INDIVIDUALS. BY THE END OF THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD, ACCESS TO PRSS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SUD OR COD WILL BE DRAMATICALLY INCREASED.

EXPANDING TRAUMA-INFORMED, EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER OR CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS EXPERIENCING OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS - VEGAS STRONGER WILL EXPAND ACCESS TO INTEGRATED, TRAUMA-INFORMED TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (SUD) AND CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS (COD) WHO ARE EXPERIENCING OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS IN THE LAS VEGAS VALLEY. THE TARGET POPULATION INCLUDES ADULTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR AT IMMINENT RISK WHO FACE COMPLEX CHALLENGES RELATED TO SUBSTANCE USE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND BARRIERS TO CARE. MANY CLIENTS SERVED BY VEGAS STRONGER LACK STABLE HOUSING, LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE, ARE UNINSURED, AND ENCOUNTER SIGNIFICANT OBSTACLES TIED TO SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH (SDOH), INCLUDING UNEMPLOYMENT, LIMITED EDUCATION, AND RESTRICTED ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES. IN 2024, THE SOUTHERN NEVADA POINT-IN-TIME COUNT IDENTIFIED 7,906 INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ACROSS THE REGION, HIGHLIGHTING THE NEED FOR ACCESSIBLE, INTEGRATED TREATMENT OPTIONS. VEGAS STRONGER WILL IMPLEMENT EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS INCLUDING COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT), MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT (MAT), MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING (MI), MEASUREMENT-BASED CARE (MBC), CRITICAL TIME INTERVENTION (CTI), PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES (PRSS), AND TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE. ALL SERVICES WILL BE DELIVERED BY LICENSED AND CREDENTIALED STAFF, INCLUDING A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNSELOR, CERTIFIED PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST, AND CASE MANAGER. SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN PERSON AND VIA TELEHEALTH TO REDUCE ACCESS TO BARRIERS. THE PROJECT HAS THREE OVERARCHING GOALS: (1) INCREASE ACCESS TO EVIDENCE-BASED SUD/COD TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES, (2) REDUCE OPIOID-RELATED OVERDOSE DEATHS THROUGH HARM REDUCTION, AND (3) ADDRESS SDOH THROUGH INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. THE PROJECT WILL SERVE 70 INDIVIDUALS IN YEAR 1, 80 INDIVIDUALS IN YEARS 2 AND 3, FOR A TOTAL OF 230 UNDUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS. OBJECTIVES INCLUDE COMPLETING 230 BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENTS AND SUICIDE RISK SCREENINGS, ENROLLING 170 INDIVIDUALS IN INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT, ENGAGING 170 CLIENTS IN PEER-LED RECOVERY SUPPORT, ENROLLING 75 INDIVIDUALS IN TOBACCO CESSATION SERVICES, DISTRIBUTING 132 NALOXONE KITS AND FENTANYL/XYLAZINE TEST STRIPS, AND EQUIPPING 12 ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE HARM REDUCTION.

RURAL COMMUNITIES OPIOID RESPONSE PROGRAM-OVERDOSE RESPONSE - VEGAS STRONGER, A COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION LOCATED AT 916 N. MAIN ST., LAS VEGAS, NV 89101, IS REQUESTING $300,000 TO SUPPORT THE OVERDOSE RESPONSE PROGRAM EXPANSION IN RURAL NYE COUNTY, NEVADA. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL EXPAND EXISTING SERVICES AT VEGAS STRONGER’S RURAL FACILITY, LOCATED AT 1141 S. NEVADA HIGHWAY 160, SUITE 4, PAHRUMP, NV 89048. THE PROJECT DIRECTOR, JOHN SEELAND, MAY BE REACHED AT JOHN.SEELAND@VEGASSTRONGER.ORG OR 772-919-5390. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT VEGAS STRONGER CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.VEGASSTRONGER.ORG. THE PROJECT GOALS ARE TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO TREATMENT FOR SUD/OUD AND REDUCE OVERDOSE RISKS IN RURAL NYE COUNTY, NV. THE TARGET POPULATION IS COMPOSED OF INDIVIDUALS AT-RISK FOR SUD/OUD; INDIVIDUALS DIAGNOSED WITH SUD/OUD; AND INDIVIDUALS IN TREATMENT AND/OR RECOVERY FOR SUD/OUD AND THEIR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS WHO RESIDE IN NYE COUNTY, NEVADA. THE PROJECT HAS AN EMPHASIS ON HIGH-RISK POPULATIONS, INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH SOCIOECONOMIC VULNERABILITY AND THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE SERVICE AREA HAS A TOTAL POPULATION OF 55,720 AND THE COUNTY IS DESIGNATED AS FULLY RURAL. THE NEEDS THIS PROJECT WILL ADDRESS: • ADDRESSING HIGH OPIOID PRESCRIPTION RATES • EXPANDING TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES • SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH LOW ECONOMIC STATUS • STIGMA REDUCTION • OVERCOMING DISTANCE TO CARE VEGAS STRONGER WILL ADDRESS THESE NEEDS BY ACHIEVING SELECTED ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES, WHICH INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING FROM TIER 1 ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES: • PREVENTION: TERTIARY PREVENTION. PURCHASE NALOXONE, FENTANYL TEST STRIPS OR OTHER EVIDENCE-BASED TERTIARY PREVENTION SUPPLIES AND DISTRIBUTE THEM WITHIN THE TARGET RURAL SERVICE AREA. AWARD RECIPIENTS MUST FOLLOW ALL APPLICABLE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAWS AND POLICIES WHEN PURCHASING AND DISTRIBUTING THESE SUPPLIES. • TREATMENT: SUD/OUD CARE DELIVERY SITES. ESTABLISH, IMPROVE, OR EXPAND PHYSICAL SUD/OUD CARE DELIVERY SITES. EXAMPLES INCLUDE (BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO): PURCHASING A MOBILE UNIT FOR PROVIDING/EXPANDING ACCESS TO TREATMENT INCLUDING PHARMACIES; CONDUCTING MINOR RENOVATIONS TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE SPACE FOR PROVIDING TREATMENT, ETC. VEGAS STRONGER WILL HIRE TWO OUTREACH SPECIALISTS AND ONE ADDITIONAL COUNSELOR TO ENHANCE NALOXONE DISTRIBUTION, IMPROVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND INCREASE ACCESS TO SUD/OUD TREATMENT SERVICES. THE TWO OUTREACH SPECIALISTS WILL FOCUS ON HARM REDUCTION AND LINKAGE TO CARE, DISTRIBUTING NALOXONE AND FENTANYL TEST STRIPS TO INDIVIDUALS AT HIGH RISK OF OVERDOSE, AS WELL AS TO COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERS. THEY WILL ALSO CONDUCT TARGETED OUTREACH TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, JUSTICE-INVOLVED POPULATIONS, AND THOSE IN REMOTE AREAS TO ENSURE THAT LIFE-SAVING RESOURCES AND TREATMENT OPTIONS REACH THOSE MOST IN NEED. TO FURTHER EXPAND ACCESS TO TREATMENT, VEGAS STRONGER WILL ALSO HIRE AN ADDITIONAL COUNSELOR, INCREASING THE CAPACITY FOR ASSESSMENTS, INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND GROUP COUNSELING. THIS EXPANSION WILL PROVIDE MORE COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SUD/OUD. BY STRENGTHENING OUTREACH EFFORTS, EXPANDING HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES, AND INCREASING TREATMENT AVAILABILITY, THIS PROJECT WILL REDUCE OVERDOSE FATALITIES, IMPROVE TREATMENT ENGAGEMENT, AND ENHANCE LONG-TERM RECOVERY OUTCOMES FOR INDIVIDUALS IN RURAL NYE COUNTY.

RURAL COMMUNITIES OPIOID RESPONSE PROGRAM-OVERDOSE RESPONSE

RURAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES OUTREACH GRANT PROGRAM - ABSTRACT THE PURPOSE OF VEGAS STRONGER’S RURAL HEALTH ACCESS AND IMPACT PROJECT IS TO ADDRESS GAPS IN CARE AND IMPROVE SERVICE COORDINATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (SUD) OR CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS (COD) IN RURAL NYE COUNTY, NV. BY INTEGRATING OUTREACH, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, PSYCHIATRY, HOUSING, AND CASE MANAGEMENT, THE PROJECT PROMOTES RECOVERY AND STABILITY TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS. THE TARGET POPULATION INCLUDES INDIVIDUALS AT RISK FOR OR LIVING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (SUD) OR CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS (COD) IN NYE COUNTY, NEVADA, WITH A FOCUS ON THOSE WHO ARE SOCIOECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED, OLDER ADULTS, VETERANS, OR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. GOAL #1 EXPAND VEGAS STRONGER’S RURAL LOCATION, NEVADA STRONGER, IN NYE COUNTY BY INCREASING SERVICE CAPACITY, BUILDING LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS, AND ENHANCING ENGAGEMENT TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE CARE. OBJECTIVE: HIRE, TRAIN, AND DEPLOY PROJECT STAFF INCLUDING AN OUTREACH SPECIALIST, COUNSELOR, AND CASE MANAGER TO EXPAND THE RURAL LOCATION. OUTCOME: ESTABLISH CONSISTENT, HIGH-QUALITY SERVICES WHILE MEETING PROJECT GOALS AND MAINTAINING FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY. GOAL #2: DELIVER PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES TO REDUCE SUD/COD RISKS AND STIGMA, ENCOURAGING HELP-SEEKING BEHAVIOR. OBJECTIVE: ENGAGE 180 INDIVIDUALS ANNUALLY THROUGH OUTREACH AND ASSESS 48 UNDUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS TO CONNECT THEM WITH SERVICES. DISTRIBUTE 200 NALOXONE KITS AND 50 FENTANYL TEST STRIPS ANNUALLY AND TRAIN 10 PARTNER AGENCIES WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR. OUTCOME: INCREASED COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND OVERDOSE PREVENTION CAPACITY. GOAL #3: PROVIDE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR OUD/SUD TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES AND RETENTION IN CARE. OBJECTIVE: EXPAND ACCESS TO INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR 48 INDIVIDUALS ANNUALLY, INCLUDING PSYCHIATRIC CARE FOR 12 CLIENTS VIA TELEHEALTH. OUTCOME: IMPROVED ACCESS TO PSYCHIATRIC AND SUD/COD TREATMENT. GOAL #4: PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM RECOVERY. OBJECTIVE: DELIVER PERSONALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT TO 48 INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSING FOR 12 INDIVIDUALS ANNUALLY, ADDRESSING SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH (SDOH) SUCH AS HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT. OUTCOME: STABLE HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND CONSISTENT ENGAGEMENT IN TREATMENT. GOAL 5: CREATE A COLLABORATIVE, SUSTAINABLE SERVICE DELIVERY NETWORK. OBJECTIVE: ESTABLISH THREE ADDITIONAL PARTNERSHIPS WITHIN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS TO ENHANCE SERVICE DELIVERY. OUTCOME: IMPROVED COLLABORATION AND A SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE. EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES INCLUDE CRITICAL TIME INTERVENTION, COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY, MEASUREMENT-BASED CARE, MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING, PSYCHOEDUCATION, AND TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE. VEGAS STRONGER HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN ADDRESSING HEALTHCARE DISPARITIES AND SERVICE GAPS IN RURAL NYE COUNTY, NV. ITS NEVADA STRONGER OFFICE HAS DELIVERED IMPACTFUL SERVICES IN NYE COUNTY, UTILIZING TELEHEALTH TECHNOLOGY, HARM REDUCTION TOOLS, AND INTEGRATED CARE MODELS TO ADDRESS HEALTHCARE GAPS. STAFF TRAINING IN EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES AND CULTURAL COMPETENCY ENSURES HIGH-QUALITY, COMMUNITY-FOCUSED CARE, WHILE HIRING LOCAL PROVIDERS BUILDS WORKFORCE SUSTAINABILITY. WITH SUPPORT FROM PARTNERSHIPS, INCLUDING HEALTH CLINICS, HOUSING PROVIDERS, AND ADVOCACY GROUPS, THE ORGANIZATION WILL CREATE A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO CARE. ITS HARM REDUCTION EFFORTS INCLUDE DISTRIBUTING NALOXONE KITS AND FENTANYL TEST STRIPS PAIRED WITH TRAINING, EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY TO SAVE LIVES. BY BUILDING ON ITS EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIPS, VEGAS STRONGER WILL EXPAND ITS IMPACT, CREATING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR HEALTHCARE CHALLENGES IN NYE COUNTY. VEGAS STRONGER QUALIFIES FOR THE FOLLOWING FUNDING PREFERENCES: QUALIFICATION 1: HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGE AREA AND QUALIFICATION 2: MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY/POPULATION. IT IS LOCATED IN A HPSA AND MUC/MUP AREA.