In 2019, Valley-Wide Health Systems partnered with, SLVHealth, Rio Grande Hospital, Crossroads’ Turning PointsSolvista, Center for Restorative Programs, and San Luis Valley AHEC to create SLVMAT. The purpose of the partnership was to expand access to opioid treatment for the San Luis Valley.

Together, we secured a grant to create a network of providers and community support agencies to give patients more places to seek treatment. It can be confusing to know where to start with the MAT process. To solve this issue, SLVMAT created a Case Management and Care Coordination office (CMCC). The CMCC staff helped potential clients navigate their treatment options more easily.

Building on the success of SLVMAT, the program will receive additional funding to expand services to Otero, Bent, Prowers, and Fremont counties. New providers and community support groups will join the program to serve these areas, which include Solvista Health, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Crossroads’ Turning Points, Loaves and Fishes Ministries, and the Arkansas Valley Resource Center. Since these new communities are outside of the SLV, we decided to rename the program “Rural Recovery Network.”