Prevention Consultants: 

Through the HRSA funding from MRPC, we have completed the 10-session Too Good for Drugs evidence-based drug prevention curriculum in five area schools in three counties. The schools and number of students included the following:

Crawford County                                                               
Bourbon Middle School – 92 students
Cuba High School – 58 students
Bourbon High School – 80 students

Phelps County
Edgar Springs – 16 students

Dent County
Salem High School – 84 students

Total students completing the program = 330

Utilizing the pre and post evaluation tool to assess prevention skills provided by the Too Good for Drugs curriculum, students have improved their scores by an average of nearly 20%. Through multiple contacts and site visits, Prevention Consultants has scheduled additional schools for the next school year, including schools in Maries County.

Invent Yourself, LLC: 

The ‘Rehabilitation through Innovation ‘ program works with offenders to develop a culture of entrepreneurship that allows individuals with legal issues to better transition out of the legal system and into society. Substance abuse was a common denominator among most participants. Through this program, which works directly with the region ‘s Workforce Investment Board, participants were able to avoid typical employment hurdles that often lead to a return to drug abuse and crime. The program is currently being implemented in Crawford County with programs such as Alcoholics/Addicts Victorious and Celebrate Recovery. Since the program began in late April, Dr. Seibert has had 28 participants complete the curriculum and is looking to begin the class at a transitional housing facility in the weeks to come. If this partnership develops, we expect to have close to 70 individuals complete the class.

Phelps-Maries County Health Department:

Over the past year the Phelps-Maries County Health Department has utilized funding from the HRSA grant to increase case management services to improve health outcomes for residents and families affected by opioid use disorder and to reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality rates in the counties served. The Phelps-Maries County Health Department provides free naloxone to first responders in our counties and are in the beginning stages of participation in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program managed by St. Louis County.

The Phelps-Maries County Health Department staff have attended several trainings, webinars, and community conversation events enabling staff to better understand the immediate needs of those affected with opioid use disorder and how to meet said needs in a compassionate yet effective manner. Staff has developed a comprehensive list of treatment options as well as other “soft services” such as housing, energy assistance, food insecurities, and employment. The Phelps-Maries County Health Department offers parenting education classes in a group setting as well as individually as needed. Case-Managers at the Health Department are available on a walk-in basis as well as by appointment or phone to assist consumers with barriers related to treatment and establishing services. Case Managers are in the planning stages of attending drug-court on Mondays and Juvenile Court on Wednesdays to offer assistance and support in initiating services and resources in our area.

Your Community Health Center:

They health center has conducted 3-part series town-hall-style meetings in all 4 of the counties in the service area. During these meetings, members of the community have been able to openly discuss issues that they have seen in their city along with being provided resource information. The information gathered at these meetings will be compiled into a community needs assessment for the 4 counties.