Kentucky Women’s Justice Network to Prevent Overdose in Rural Communities
Official title: Kentucky Women's Justice Community Overdose Innovation Network - Phase II
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11408559 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests new ways to cut overdose deaths among women involved with the criminal-legal system as they leave jail and re-enter rural Kentucky communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,439,775 |
| NIH project number | 5RM1DA064496-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408559 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women involved in the criminal legal system who are transitioning from jail to rural Kentucky communities.
✕Less likely to help
Women not recently released from jail or those not in rural Kentucky may not benefit.
What this research studies
The project, led by researchers at the University of Kentucky, follows women transitioning from jail to rural areas and tests coaching therapies to reduce overdose risk. In a multi-site study, participants are randomly assigned to different pre-release and post-release support strategies to build an overdose prevention plan and encourage treatment entry. The plan combines Recovery Coaching, a support person engagement component, and contingency management to sustain safer practices after release. The study aims to show which combination most effectively lowers overdose risk and improves engagement in treatment during re-entry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce overdose deaths and help women access ongoing treatment after release.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows promise with coaching and post-release supports, but this is a focused, randomized comparison in a rural, women-specific population.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Staton, Michele — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Staton, Michele
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.