Members

New River Ecosystem

The New River Valley Recovery Ecosystem (NRVRE) is a collaborative regional program serving the broader community across the counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski, and the City of Radford. It offers a range of programs for individuals in active use and recovery, while also providing efforts to reduce stigma and training events for everyone in the region. The Recovery Ecosystem has partnered with several key regional organizations including: New River Valley Community Services (NRVCS), Community Health Center of the NRV (CHCNRV), New River Health District (NRHD), NRV Senior Services (NRVSS), New River Community Action (NRCA), the Community Foundation of the NRV (CFNRV), Giles Health and Family, Instill Mindfulness, New River Community College (NRCC), Recovery Courts, and local governments and school systems. 

Funding has supported the development of the following: 

  • A region-wide SUD/OUD anti-stigma campaign including social media posts, blogs, website presence, a mailer, an informational video series, and lived experience storytelling with college students. 
  • Rise Above – a peer led collaborative mobile harm reduction outreach program through the NRHD that provides the following: harm reduction education, connection and referrals to healthcare resources, recovery treatment, peer counseling, fentanyl test strips, syringe exchange, Naloxone, wound care, immunizations, sexually transmitted and communicable disease testing, hygiene kits, and housing assistance (currently serving about 300  participants) and a case manager.
  • An on demand transportation program through NRVCS, NRV Senior Services and Giles Health and Family that supports transportation needs of people in active opioid use, recovery and those at most risk for SUD/OUD.
  • Promotion and execution of Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Train the Trainer events to address underlying impacts on the risks of SUD/OUD. 
  • Instill Mindfulness Peer Specialist staff position and expansion of peer programs
  • Expansion of office based addiction treatment (OBAT) facility at CHCNRV
  • Pulaski County Drug Prevention and Recovery Coordinator 
  • NRCC Recovery Specialist 
  • Expansion of NRVCS New Life Residential Recovery Center 
  • Expansion of Recovery Court drug screening 
  • Expansion of NRVCS Pregnant and Nursing Mother program 
  • Community Foundation emergency fund for individuals in recovery and treatment 
  • Expansion of NRVCS HopeHub app for resource navigation 

Analytics is important to the sustainability of our harm reduction and ride programs. The NRVRE uses REDCap to collect data for the mobile harm reduction program and tracks on-demand transportation rides through the ride app or an Excel sheet if the rides are requested by phone. Our metrics have increased our ability to improve our warm handoffs and patient follow-ups. 

NRVRE implementation has been collaborative and adaptive. The process requires flexibility and responsiveness to community needs, with a focus on tailoring services to different localities, populations, and individuals. OAA funding has allowed for new thinking, and a more bold response to opioid abatement with collaborative opportunities growing exponentially.