Elizabeth City, N.C. — Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) has been awarded a $200,000 Rural Communities Opioid Response (Planning) grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to strengthen rural communities’ capacity to respond to the opioid crisis.
The federal award will advance ECSU’s Rural Health Initiative and support the continued development of the Substance Use and Addiction Certificate within the university’s Social Work program. Through the planning initiative, ECSU and its community partners will work to expand access to resources and services and develop sustainable approaches to substance use and addiction servicing Camden, Currituck, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties.
Kim S. Downing, Ph.D., LCSW, ACSW, chair of the Department of Protective and Human Studies and director of the ECSU Bachelor of Social Work program, will serve as the initiative’s principal investigator.
“I am incredibly proud and honored to lead this important initiative,” said Downing. “This award represents so much more than funding. It is an opportunity to build capacity, strengthen partnerships, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities across rural Northeastern North Carolina.”
The planning process will bring ECSU together with community partners and stakeholders to assess local needs, identify existing strengths and resources, and develop strategies reflecting the priorities of the communities the university serves.
Laverne Morrow Carter, Ph.D., MPH, Strategic Partnerships and Academic Program Development Coordinator/Professor of Practice, provided leadership and guidance during the grant development process. Carter said the initiative also aligns with the university’s ASCEND 2030 strategic plan and its emphasis on community engagement.
“I thank GOD for such a time as this and the opportunity to serve and support Elizabeth City State University and its leadership in the ASCEND 2030 strategic plan and goals, which include strong community-based engagement and interventions.”
Anthony Emekalam, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Health and Life Sciences and professor of Pharmaceutical Science, contributed to the grant’s development and will serve as network coordinator. In that role, he will facilitate engagement with community partners, coordinate planning meetings, and work with partners to carry out collective decisions.
“This is a great opportunity for ECSU to continue its leadership roles in advancing health and health outcomes of residents of rural underserved communities in northeastern North Carolina, the state and the entire nation. It is truly humbling to be a part of this project,” said Emekalam.
Kimberly Harris, Ph.D., nationally recognized data and evaluation expert, will also serve in a key role on the project.
Community partners that joined the initiative during the application process and provided letters of commitment include the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services; Sentara Albemarle Medical Center; and Camden County Emergency Medical Services.
Together, ECSU and its partners will use the planning period to identify community needs and resources and develop collaborative strategies aimed at improving the response to opioid use, substance use and addiction in rural communities.
