START-SD

The START-SD Planning Grant was a Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) planning grant, awarded to South Dakota State University by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Through the Planning Grant, the START-SD team successfully developed a multi-sector care network to optimize access to care for rural patients with opioid use disorder in South Dakota, with a focus on Yankton, Lyman, Roberts, and Hughes Counties.

START-SD Opioid Support is a Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) implementation grant, awarded to South Dakota State University by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Through the Opioid Support work, the START-SD team has built upon the work completed through the Planning Grant to optimize access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services in rural areas to patients and families affected by substance use disorder, with a focus on opioid use disorders. Barriers this work address include stigma surrounding substance use disorder, lack of access to providers offering medication assisted treatment, and social determinants of health. Initial funding was secured through August 31, 2023, however the project period was extended to August 31, 2024 to most effectively utilize resources.

START-SD-PSS (Psychostimulant Support) Support is a Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) implementation grant, awarded to South Dakota State University by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Through the Psychostimulant Support work, the START-SD team has built upon the work completed through the Planning Grant and the Opioid Support work to optimize access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services in rural areas to patients and families affected by psychostimulant use disorder. Facilitators to completion of treatment and maintaining recovery include incentive programs for attending appointments and having negative drug screens, exercise, and peer coaching support. Barriers to implementing these facilitators include current lack of funding for incentives and exercise programs, lack of culturally appropriate programs and training for peer coaching, and avoidance of treatment due to stigma.

START-SD-OR (Overdose Response) Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) implementation grant, awarded to South Dakota State University by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Through the Overdose Response work, the START-SD team will build upon work completed through the planning grant, the Opioid Support work, and the Psychostimulant Support work to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with overdoses related to substance use among adults aged 18-54 through promotion of harm reduction strategies, education and training with healthcare facilities to improve treatment, and increasing access to treatment and recovery services through education, training, and placement of peer coaches.