On behalf of The United States Department of Justice, OJP Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA); the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); the State Justice Institute (SJI); the National Association of Counties and the Institute for Intergovernmental Research, we are excited to share with you a new initiative, Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions. BJA, CDC, and SJI are supporting this initiative as part of an ongoing interagency partnership to strengthen public safety and public health collaboration under BJA’s Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP). COSSAP provides funding and training and technical assistance (TTA) to state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to support a comprehensive response to illicit substance use and misuse; reduce overdose deaths; promote public safety; and support access to prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services in the community and justice system.

What is the Reaching Rural initiative?

The Reaching Rural initiative is a one-year initiative. Over the course of the year, the selected individuals and teams will receive coaching and participate in skill-building workshops as well as virtual and in-person learning experiences.

Participation in the Reaching Rural initiative includes:

·Travel and per diem costs to participate in an orientation, a field visit to observe the implementation of evidence-informed practices in a rural setting, and a closing session at the end of the 12 months. This is not a grant opportunity.

· Monthly mentorship and guidance aimed toward your local needs.

· Monthly assignments that help you apply core concepts to your local community or region.

· Access to a diverse network of rural peers, innovative rural communities, and technical assistance providers.

· Formal recognition for completing the planning initiative.

Apply now! Seeking Applicants for the Reaching Rural Initiative – Deadline September 30th, 2022. For more information click on the image below or visit: Reaching_Rural_Solicitation-Final.pdf (cossapresources.org)