Regional social service agencies, including Charter House Coalition and the Turning Point Center of Addison County, are preparing a grant application to HRSA’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program, and the Middlebury Selectboard is being asked to provide a letter of support. The federal program aims to reduce substance use and opioid addiction in rural communities, signaling that local partners are organizing a funded initiative in this space. If the grant is awarded, the coalition will likely implement new or expanded programs such as treatment access, recovery supports, outreach, case management, and data/reporting, requiring services, technology tools, and training. Vendors that support behavioral health, case management systems, telehealth, recovery housing, program evaluation, and workforce development can position themselves with both the town and lead nonprofits as potential partners to execute grant-funded activities and reporting requirements.

The town’s role is primarily supportive, but an awarded grant could involve municipal coordination w...