Research Project Rapid Implementation and Technical Assistance (RITA) Hub

The RITA Hub provides no-cost training and technical assistance support to state and local government, criminal legal system, health, social service, and non-profit agencies across Kentucky in implementing evidence-based practices (EBPs) to prevent and treat opioid use disorder (OUD). This support includes advising agencies seeking to appropriately utilize locally awarded opioid abatement funds and/or applying for state opioid abatement funding.

Building upon extensive experience and knowledge gained during the University of Kentucky’s Healing Communities Study (HEAL), the RITA Hub is built on the premise that each community and organization context is unique and that when we listen and work collaboratively together, we can transform lives and communities everywhere.

• Curating and facilitating customized training programs on topics related to OUD, harm reduction, lived experience advocacy, secondary trauma, and EBP implementation.

• Guiding strategic planning and needs assessment to create community-driven and customized EBP implementation plans and connections to peer communities and/or agencies.

• Designing and conducting evaluations of EBP process indicators and outcomes to inform continuous quality improvement and reporting.

• Supporting jail implementation and/or expansion of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to align with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• Assisting agencies with embedding peer support specialists, recovery coaches, and care navigators into their workflows.

• Creating reentry standard operating procedures for county jails for reactivating Medicaid, securing ID cards, identifying housing, etc., to support people during the jail release and community reintegration process.

• Integrating overdose education and naloxone distribution into agency practice, including use of harm reduction kiosks/vending machines and peer to peer distribution.