The Utah Rural Opioid Healthcare Consortium - Collaborative Care Model (UROHC-CCM) works to reduce opioid use and dependence in Carbon, Emery, Grand, and Wayne counties in east-central Utah, where opioid-related death rates are among the highest in the state. Across roughly 14,000 square miles, just 14 health centers and clinics provide varying levels of behavioral health and substance use care, often requiring patients to travel an hour or more for treatment.

To expand access, the Consortium trains collaborative care teams at six regional family practice clinics to deliver office-based addiction treatment in consultation with addiction specialists at University of Utah Health. Physicians, nurses, social workers, and behavioral health therapists complete online training and webinars to implement evidence-based strategies that reduce opioid dependence.

The Consortium also provides mental health first aid training for emergency responders, educators, families, and community members; offers the evidence-based Strengthening Families program to support at-risk families and reduce future substance use; and hosts an annual summit to prepare medical, nursing, pharmacy, and other health professions students to recognize and treat substance use disorders in rural settings.