Hawaii State Rural Health Association

Hope Project The mission of the HOPE grant is to reduce morbidity and mortality from opioid overdoses and substance use disorders in rural Hawaii by expanding resources for prevention treatment and recovery. The Hawaii State Rural Health Association has partnered with various organizations to achieve four objectives over the three-year grant period. Objectives include creating substance use prevention and resilience-building activities for 3,000 individuals and families expanding access to treatment for 1,000 rural community members per year promoting community support for recovery engagement for 1,000 individuals per year and training 5,000 people resulting in a 10% increase in patient screening and 5% decrease in substance use deaths by the end of the grant.

Covid Access We are proud to spearhead the Hawaii COVID-19 Vaccine Access Project which is committed to promoting health equity and diminishing COVID-19 related health disparities. We take ownership in utilizing community outreach workers to educate and assist people in getting vaccinated. We have established a public health workforce which includes community health workers patient navigators and social support specialists to proactively prevent and respond to COVID-19. Our outreach strategy encompasses direct face-to-face communication with community members helping them make vaccine appointments find convenient locations and addressing their transportation needs. We prioritize the well-being of vulnerable and underserved communities including ethnic and racial minorities and those living in socially vulnerable areas to proactively address persistent health disparities.

Molokai Kupuna Project Through this project we aim to improve community health for kupuna elderly 65 and over on the island of Molokai post Covid-19 pandemic by providing physical and mental health services economic sustainability and other socio-economic and social factors. The program serves an over 350 kupuna. The program enhances kupuna's physical and emotional health improve their mental health and mitigate isolation through social interaction. Additionally the program employs contractors to provide kupuna services and offer virtual education. The program's focus is on improving kupuna's health status post-pandemic and addressing long-term care options.