Kentucky Health News Ten nonprofit organizations from across Kentucky have been selected to receive $50,000 each from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky’s Funding for Recovery Equity and Expansion program (FREE).  The FREE program provides grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to organizations that raise awareness about overdose prevention, reduce the stigma associated with substance-use disorder and improve greater access to harm reduction, treatment and recovery support services for people with substance use disorders in Kentucky’s BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) and minoritized communities. This is the second iteration of funding for the FREE program. 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, according to a news release. The foundation 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 in Whitesburg, Ky. 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. Black Counseling and Consulting Collective – This 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, and support and professional development for mental health and recovery professionals. Bluegrass Harm Reduction Alliance – This organization 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 the recovery process. Empowher with Open Arms– This 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 substance use disorder access to evidence-based individual mental health services, as well as hosting psychoeducational groups centered on substance use recovery, emotional management and parenting. Four Rivers Foundation – Based in Fulton, Ky., this organization supports and provides resources for underserved children in low-income school districts in Western Kentucky. 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 – This 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 substance use disorder care. NAMI Kentucky – 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 – This 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 – This 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 and advocacy, as well as consultation and referral for aging and substance use issues. Voices of Community Activists and Leaders (VOCAL-KY) – This 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. This project is supported by the Kentucky Overdose Response Effort via the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Tags: drugs grants substance use disorder The post Organizations launch projects to reduce overdose deaths in Kentucky’s BIPOC and under-resourced communities appeared first on The Lexington Times.