Impact Summary 2022–2023
- April Sousa
- Aug 19, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 21
“Naloxone distribution has been one of CMREN’s most impactful initiatives, breaking stigma and driving systemic change. Despite early resistance, we educated communities across three counties, distributing 2,550 Naloxone kits and installing public access dispensers, including on Ferris State University’s campus. Additionally, a study found that 83% of residents were willing to use at-home drug disposal kits, leading to the distribution of 3,497 Deterra pouches. With community partners sustaining these efforts beyond the grant, this initiative continues to save lives and reshape the region’s approach to substance use prevention.”
— Gail Bullard DHEd, MSA, RN
CMREN Project Director
Community Service Projects
Bombas Sock Project
Jonah Foundation, a faith-based non-profit serving in the CMREN counties, provides support to persons recently released from incarceration. One of their needs in Fall 2022, was for socks to provide to the persons they serve.
MiKayla Althoff, BSW Intern working within CMREN, connected Jonah Foundation with Angels of Action, a non-profit providing services for children and families within Mecosta and Osceola counties. Angels of Action is an authorized Bombas Sock donation site. MiKayla was also able to provide Jonah Foundation with 100 pairs of Bombas Socks, through the generosity of Angels of Action.
Angles of Action Volunteer Work
Fall 2022, Dr. Bullard took CMREN students on a site visit to Angels of Action, a non-profit organization in Mecosta County. A CMREN partner, Angels of Action serves children and families in both Mecosta and Osceola Counties. Home to nine programs that work to assist our community in several ways, Angels of Action addresses physical, emotional, and educational needs.
The CMREN students decided to support Angels of Action, through volunteering on a regular basis. Currently, Dr. Bullard and one CMREN student, spend one morning each month, serving the community through this volunteer work. It is one way for CMREN to help children and families in need.
Backpack Drive
CMREN Student Workers heard the need from both Angels of Action and Jonah Foundation for backpacks, used to serve those with whom they work. February 15 - March 2, 2023 students had collection boxes placed in various locations through Mecosta County and on the Ferris State University campus for donations of new and/or gently used backpacks, which we collected a total of 260 backpacks!
This initiative has been supported by others, such as the donation of notepads for Jonah Foundation by the Ferris Print Service Center, and the donation of pens, wristbands, and stress balls by Families Against Narcotics.
Featured in the Press: BackPack Program, Horizon Bank
Community Harm Reduction
In conjunction with education and stigma training, CMREN distributes Deterra and Narcan across the three-county area. In addition, eleven open-access Narcan boxes were donated across the three county areas, and 53 emergency-access Narcan boxes were donated to be placed across the Ferris Campus.
Through the current HRSA FORHP funding, we continue to distribute Narcan, and Narcan education across the region, to future healthcare workforce students at FSU, FSU faculty and staff, and in the community upon request. In addition, we supply Narcan to Big Rapids Public Library and the Michigan College of Optometry to replenish their open-access boxes.
To view our progress, click below to download the HRSA FORHP Work Chart:
Collaborative Partner Projects
Open Access Narcan Boxes
CMREN donated eleven repurposed newspaper boxes to partners in Mecosta, Osceola, and Newaygo Counties, in 2023 through HRSA RCORP-I funding. The boxes were placed in public areas, allowing community members to access free Narcan. The Collaborative partners include:
Central Michigan Health Department – Reed City
Big Rapids Community Library
Michigan College of Optometry – Ferris State University
Corewell Health – Mecosta, Osceola, and Newaygo counties
Featured in the Press:
Corewell Health Addiction Center Project
CMREN partnered with the Corewell Health Addictions Clinics, providing funding for the purchase of two telehealth-compatible computers to be used in the new Addictions Centers in Big Rapids and Reed City, opening in 2023, through HRSA RCORP-I funding.
Featured in the Press: Corewell Health Addictions Clinics, Fox 17 Press Release
MiKayla Althoff
MiKayla Althoff, BSW, completed her BSW Fieldwork Internship with CMREN in 2022-23. One of her projects was to prepare and post a presentation on the CMREN website.
Click below to download her report:
Programs & Events
Community Conversation Day — May 19, 2023
The Community Conversation Event, with 65 participants, was a time for members of the CMREN Community to come together to learn what is happening in our neighborhoods to address SUD and substance misuse. It was valued as a time to discuss what needs we see as a guide to determine next steps. This was a HRSA-RCORP-I supported project.
Families Against Narcotics Meetings and Events
Families Against Narcotics (FAN) Forums and meetings are opportunities for the community to learn about various aspects of SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery through presentations by topic experts, and testimonies from those with lived experience. These monthly events provide rich experience for the persons to gain insight into the reality of SUD and to have conversation regarding how together we can collaborate to make a difference.
Families Against Narcotics Chapters and Hope Not Handcuffs programs are now offered in Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola counties.
Seeking Help? Call: 833-202-HOPE
Economic Impact
The calculated economic impact for the HRSA-RCORPI -II funding of CMREN for the 2021-2022 grant year cycle is 2.13, with the three-year calculated economic impact for the total grant funding calculated as 2.15.
Accomplishments and Sustainability Plans Year 3 include though are not limited to:
FSU Integration: SUD awareness and education are now incorporated into academic programs for future workforce development.
Community Education: Families Against Narcotics and the Mecosta/Osceola Substance Use Awareness Coalition will educate families and the public.
Narcan Distribution: CMREN installed 11 Narcan boxes across three counties, and MOSAC added five in Mecosta/Osceola counties. Agencies trained to request free Narcan refills from Michigan.
Naloxbox Stations: 55 Naloxboxes installed at FSU, with refills by pharmacy students; 7 boxes placed in high schools in Mecosta/Osceola counties.
Corewell Health Expansion: Addiction center operations expanded to Mecosta and Osceola counties.
Training: Overdose prevention and naloxone training available online and in person. Program effectiveness data will be shared. An Evening with Taylor Duerr was held, followed by a discussion on healthcare's role in recovery.
Community Resource HUB: Developed by CMREN partners and hosted by Angels of Action, offering online resources for social support, housing, jobs, transportation, and healthcare.
Pharmacy Education: Pharmacy student drug education presentations resumed in schools.
Referral Process: At-risk individuals connected with prevention, intervention, treatment, and support services through the website and partners.
ArchPro Training: HRSA provided billing and coding training to CMREN partners.
Harm Reduction Training: Provided to future workforce (nursing, social work, pharmacy, dental hygiene) and campus staff.
Audits & Collaboration: Encouraged partners to audit billing practices and hold cross-departmental meetings to improve collaboration.
Community Conversation: A future-focused community conversation was held in May 2023.
Expansion Plans: CMREN will expand recovery efforts through the FORHP RHND grant (2023–2027) and has applied for SAMHSA funding to enhance jail intervention programs. Education on SUD will continue through workshops, webinars, and town halls.
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