The Regional Centers of Excellence in Substance Use Disorder Education Program

Sponsor/Type: University of Rochester/HRSA
Project Period: 09/01/2022 – 08/31/2023

The Center of Excellence at the University of Rochester was established in 2019 as one of three Rural Centers of Excellence on substance use disorder (SUD) in the United States. It is funded by the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), an initiative of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that supports programs to address barriers to treatment for SUD in rural areas.

The goal is to reduce morbidity, mortality, and other harmful effects of SUD in rural communities, with particular attention to the Appalachian region and to synthetic opioids.

The approach is to identify best practices, adapt them to be successful in rural communities, develop programs and disseminate resources that facilitate their implementation, and provide support and assistance.

The team has 20 years of experience addressing the mental health and SUD crisis in rural communities in New York State. Dr. Stecker will serve as a Co-Investigator. She is an experienced researcher in implementing studies on brief cognitive-behavioral interventions to address mental health issues and treatment engagement.

Service area includes 39 rural counties in the U.S. While partnering with specific counties, we provide Program Assistance and resources to rural communities throughout the U.S. Answering questions and providing support are key components of our work!

The process focuses on engagement, learning, and sharing. We connect with rural communities to understand their unique needs and current efforts related to SUD. While listening and learning, we help by sharing resources and tools, supporting communities' efforts, and amplifying their voices.

For more information contact
Tracy Stecker
Ph.D.
stecker@musc.edu