What It Is

KORE logo The Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE) seeks to expand and sustain a comprehensive, equitable recovery-oriented system of care to end the opioid epidemic that has reached into every community in Kentucky.

About KORE

Through federal funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), KORE supports the implementation of evidence-based prevention, treatment and recovery supports to effect change at the state, community, family and individual levels.

Framework image KORE-funded partners and services model policies and practices grounded in best practice and compassion and include projects focused on:

Overdose prevention and naloxone distribution
Reducing opioid overprescribing and improving safe opioid use
Community-guided prevention
Harm reduction
Engagement and linkage to services
Access to FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder
Reducing unmet treatment need
Recovery support
Provider education and training

Together We Are Stronger Than Opioids

Data Collection and Grant Reporting

data graphic

SAMHSA uses the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) to evaluate treatment and recovery support outcomes and justify the investment of federal funding to Congress. Programs enter data through a platform known as WITS to record GPRA interviews. KORE transitioned data collection to this platform to provide a user-friendly interface for data collection, support programs in completing follow-up interviews, simplify the monthly reporting process and enable programs to track their own GPRA outcomes. Technical assistance for WITS is provided by KORE implementation specialists and partners at the UK Center for Drug and Alcohol Research. If you missed a live training, a recorded version is linked below under the Documentation heading along with other helpful resources.

Additional information and resources for using the WITS system can be found at the KORE GPRA Reporting and Grant Compliance website.

Join KORE's Anti-Stigma Campaign

In partnership with Shatterproof and the Public Good Projects, KORE is launching a statewide initiative aimed at reducing stigmas associated with opioid use disorder. Community-based organizations (CBOs) are central to the success of this project and will play a key role in forming an information campaign designed to educate the public and shine a light on Kentuckians impacted by addiction. If you or your organization is interested in being a part of this effort or you would like to recommend a potential CBO partner, please fill out an assessment form.

Learn more about the anti-stigma initiative

Documentation

An Overview of KORE

Tornado Response and Crisis Services

Many Kentuckians experienced horrific losses from the Dec. 11 quad-state tornado. Team Kentucky is compiling resources and services as part of its crisis response to help those impacted.

Crisis Services

When disaster strikes, the recovery community gets stronger together. Connect with a peer recovery support specialist today via call or text to (888) 891-2377 or visit the Kentucky Recovery Link website. Services are free.

Whether you or someone you know was affected, or if your physical safety feels threatened, it's important to find ways to cope. Text KY to 741741 to reach a volunteer crisis counselor.

Hotline services are available for suicide prevention, sexual assault, domestic violence and other services. Crisis hotline contact information

After a disaster, children may develop symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Visit the CDC Caring for Children in a Disaster website to learn more about responding to the needs of children who have experienced disaster-related trauma.

Donation Opportunities

Gov. Andy Beshear has established the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund to help those impacted by the Dec. 11 tornadoes and severe weather. Visit the Team Western Kentucky website to make a donation.

Many families lost everything due to the tornado, including gifts and items purchased in celebration of the holiday season. Visit the Western Kentucky Toy Drive website to help make this season a little easier for those who are hurting.

Volunteering

If you are interested in volunteering or donating to disaster response efforts, take the Serve Kentucky survey.

Access Services for Substance Use Disorder

Kentuckians struggling with a substance use disorder, either themselves or within their families, can call toll free (833) 8KY-HELP (833-859-4357) to speak with a specialist about treatment options and available resources.

Visit the Find Help Now website to find an addiction treatment facility taking new clients right now.

Find Help Now - American Sign Language This video provides additional guidance and information for the deaf and hard of hearing community on finding substance use disorder and addiction options using the Find Help Now website.

Information for Treatment Providers

New Resource: Stimulant use disorder treatment guidance is available
NARCAN Coverage: Kentucky Medicaid - Kentucky Medicaid covers the life-saving medication naloxone (also known as NARCAN). Español - NARCAN Coverage: Kentucky Medicaid.
Best practices and guidance for use of medications for opiod use disorder (MOUD) in emergency departments.
Recovery Community Centers provide linkages and supports to recovery services.
American Society of Addiction Medicine website has information on buprenorphine prescribing, infection mitigation in outpatient settings, drug testing protocols, telehealth and more.
SAMHSA provides guidance for methadone programs, telehealth, training and technical assistance, a disaster planning handbook, considerations for alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal and other tools and resources.
Community Mental Health Centers offer services for families and children impacted by opioid use disorder.
KORE has published a resource guide outlining federal funding opportunities for behavioral health providers.

Find KORE Programs

KORE contracts with more than 70 entities operating numerous prevention, treatment and recovery programs across the state.
This KORE program locations map provides an overview of all programs, counties where they are located and a description of services.

Communications Resources

This overview of KORE's approach to opioid response includes guiding principles and a snapshot of prevention, treatment, recovery and infrastructure-building initiatives.
KORE has published a Marketing and Communications Toolkit for KORE-funded programs.
Together, we are stronger than opioids. Join the Kentucky Opioid Response Community.
Words drive stigma associated with substance use disorder and opioid use disorder. This one-page document helps readers understand the impact of words.

Press Releases

SOR Funding Award Press Release:KORE receives grant award of more than $35 million.
Nspire Press Release:Nspire Partners with KORE to Address Health Disparities, Engage Underserved Communities.
Kentucky Transformational Employment Program Press Release:New program helps retain workforce, improves access to SUD services and care.
Bloomberg Philanthropies Press Release:Bloomberg to invest $10 million over next five years in support of state efforts.

KORE Newsletter

Training

Upcoming KORE-funded training will be conducted by videoconference. Additional information about training will be posted on this page and on the KORE Facebook page.

Additional Information

Opioids and the Workplace
The Kentuckiana Health Collaborative and KORE worked together to develop a toolkit to support employers in understanding and addressing opioid misuse, opioid use disorders and pain management.
Opioid Stewardship in Healthcare
The Kentucky Hospital Association partnered with KORE to launch the Kentucky Statewide Opioid Stewardship program. To date, 120 of Kentucky's 127 hospitals participate.
HEALing Communities Study
Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio participate in a research grant project to study interventions aimed at reducing overdose deaths and other harms associated with opioid use disorder.
Opioid Response Network
The Opioid Response Network (ORN) provides training and technical assistance to all 50 states and nine territories. The ORN responds to local needs by providing free educational resources and training to states, communities and individuals in the prevention, treatment and recovery of opioid use disorders and stimulant use.
Principles for Use of Opioid Funds
States, cities and counties soon may be receiving opioid settlement funds as a result of litigation against these companies for their role in the opioid epidemic that has claimed more than half a million lives over the past two decades. Five guiding principles will support communities in determining best use of the funds.