Reaching Rural provides support to fellows—both as individuals and as teams—over a year-long initiative to help them expand their leadership skills, engage them in project and systems planning, and highlight successful and innovative strategies to address substance use disorder (SUD) in small and rural communities. Fellows engage in virtual and in-person convenings, learn from each other and national experts, and identify areas of opportunity to improve outcomes for their communities and residents. Fellows also have ongoing access to a coaching team to provide support, connections to experts and resources, and assistance with project planning. Learn more about the schedule below.
Month 1
Virtual Kick-off Calls
Individual fellows and team fellows come together to introduce themselves, meet project partners, and learn more about expectations and opportunities over the course of the initiative.
Month 2
Virtual Meeting With Coaching Team
Fellows have regularly scheduled calls with the coaching team to discuss project progress, identify areas of opportunity and needed support, and foster connection with other fellows. These meetings will continue monthly throughout the year.
Month 3
In-Person Convening
Fellows come together for a 2.5-day in-person convening focused on identifying leadership skills and styles, building team rapport, connecting with national experts and federal partners, and planning overall project goals.
Month 4-5
Virtual Site Visits
Fellows will have the opportunity to connect virtually with a rural jurisdiction to learn about an initiative addressing SUD in its community. Each session will include a virtual follow-up conversation with the “host” site to ask questions and learn more about their strategies and lessons learned.
Month 6-7
In-Person Site Visits
Fellows will travel in small groups to a rural jurisdiction to learn more about that site’s efforts to address SUD in its community and consider strategies that could be employed in their own communities.
Month 8-11
Virtual Meetings With Coaching Team to Finalize Projects
Fellows have regularly scheduled calls with the coaching team to discuss project progress, identify areas of opportunity and needed support, and foster connection with other fellows.
Month 12
Program Graduation (In Person)
Fellows come together for a final 2.5-day in-person convening focused on sharing each individual’s and team’s final project or plan.