Across rural Kentucky, a new workforce is rising to support families affected by substance use disorder. In this episode of The Bridge, host Amelia Holliday explores the RISE program at the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health—an innovative training initiative designed to strengthen support for individuals and families impacted by opioid and substance use disorders (OUD and SUD).

Amelia sits down with RISE Rural Project Manager and Apprenticeship Coordinator Josh Adams and Jordan Winchester, residential coordinator for Beacons of Hope, a key community partner. Together, they discuss how RISE combines dual certifications and hands-on apprenticeships to prepare participants to support individuals and families affected by substance use disorder.

Their conversation reveals how partnerships like these are helping grow a recovery-focused workforce rooted in rural communities.

For more information about RISE and how to get involved, contact Josh Adams at Joshua.Adams21@uky.edu.

Learn more about Beacons of Hope at https://beaconsofhope.net/

The statements and opinions in The Bridge do not necessarily represent the UK CERH, the KORH, its affiliates, or funding agencies. The Bridge is funded in part by federal grant funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration Primary Care Office.

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