Advancing Rural Healthcare: How Healthy Connections is Enhancing Addiction Treatment
Healthy Connections is dedicated to improving healthcare access and addiction treatment for rural communities in Arkansas. Recently, CEO Tony Calandro and Co-Directors of the RCORP Grant Program Dr. Absalom H. Tilley, MD, and Ann Calandro, PharmD, attended the HRSA’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Reverse Site Visit (RSV) in Washington, D.C. This event brought together healthcare leaders and policymakers to discuss innovative strategies for addressing addiction, including opioid use disorder (OUD), in high-risk rural areas.
Why This Matters to Rural Arkansas
“The opioid crisis has deeply affected rural communities, and it’s our responsibility to bring the best possible care to those who need it most,” said Tony Calandro, CEO of Healthy Connections. “By attending events like the RCORP Reverse Site Visit, we ensure that we’re equipped with the latest evidence-based practices and resources to improve treatment and recovery options for our patients.”
The RCORP initiative supports addiction treatment in Hot Spring, Sevier, and Pope Counties, covering Malvern, Russellville, and De Queen. Healthy Connections focuses on reducing barriers to care, expanding treatment options, and integrating behavioral health services into primary care.
A Comprehensive Approach to Addiction Treatment
Healthy Connections’ mission to combat addiction includes:
- Addiction Treatment Services: Providing FDA-approved medications such as Buprenorphine (Suboxone) and Naltrexone, combined with therapy to manage cravings, block opioid effects, and support long-term recovery. Learn more.
- Integrated Behavioral Health with Evolve Behavioral Health: Offering counseling and therapy to address the mental health impact of addiction and help patients build coping skills for lasting recovery.
- Community Education and Outreach: Reducing stigma and increasing awareness of addiction recovery options, harm reduction strategies, and early intervention.
Bringing New Strategies to Arkansas
By attending the RCORP Reverse Site Visit, Healthy Connections is enhancing its ability to:
- Expand life-saving treatments – Applying new evidence-based practices to improve addiction treatment in rural communities.
- Strengthen prevention and early intervention – Educating families and individuals about the warning signs of addiction and available support.
- Improve accessibility to care – Increasing the availability of addiction treatment, counseling, and support services for underserved populations.
A Stronger Future for Rural Arkansas
The RCORP Reverse Site Visit allows Healthy Connections to bring cutting-edge addiction treatment strategies back to Arkansas. Through collaboration with national leaders, we ensure that our services evolve to meet the needs of rural communities.
Healthy Connections remains committed to delivering expert, compassionate care to those facing addiction. Our participation in the RCORP Reverse Site Visit keeps us informed, connected, and proactive in the fight against the opioid epidemic.
For more information about our addiction treatment programs and behavioral health services, visit www.healthy-connections.org or call 888-710-8220 to schedule an appointment.
