The University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension program is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on building assets of individuals and families to address the perennial problems faced across the lifespan. CEDIK is a statewide program dedicated to building capacity around community and economic development issues. FCS and CEDIK have joined together to combat the issue of substance use disorder recovery relapse.

The opioid epidemic scourging the United States is a public health crisis. This crisis has hit Kentucky especially hard, particularly in Appalachian counties. While this epidemic is especially hard for individuals suffering from this disease as well as their families, local communities are also suffering. The opioid epidemic is a significant quality of life issue. 

This proposed project will result in a more employable workforce, a stronger rural economy, and an improved quality of life for all residents. Individuals in recovery are particularly susceptible to relapse during early stages of recovery. This increased risk is due, in part, to financial stress that people in recovery from substance use disorder often encounter. To our knowledge, the inclusion of financial education and soft skills development is often not included (or only marginally) in recovery efforts. Through comprehensive financial education training we can expand the capacity of recovery centers and other partners in the community that work with individuals in recovery thereby reducing the likelihood of relapse.

UK Extension has secured a Rural Community Development Initiative grant that spans a two-year period to address this critical need. The comprehensive goal is to create stronger communities by addressing the behavioral health and substance use disorders in four rural Kentucky communities. Long-term goal 1 is to develop and implement an effective educational intervention that will improve the financial efficacy of individuals in substance use disorder recovery, especially those individuals in early recovery. The short-term goal is to build the capacity of drug rehabilitation facilities and other partners in low-income communities to provide financial education and soft-skills training to patients.

This educational project is now past the mid-point in the two-year span. Extension staff built upon the project’s beginning foundation of a needs-based assessment, creating a core curriculum covering eight units of recovery-specific financial content. This new multi-session financial education and soft skills curriculum for individuals in recovery is titled “Recovering Your Finances.” Each unit includes: a facilitator guide for the presenter, a publication for the attendee to keep, various activity worksheets to reinforce learning, an evaluation, and marketing tools.

The full curriculum was piloted with seven women from a recovery shelter, Isaiah House, in Mercer County over a 10-week period. The pilot received positive reviews from both the participants and their sponsors. An after-program assessment to gauge the effectiveness of the pilot found that pilot participants believe finances are definitely a consideration during the recovery process. They believe the curriculum focused on rebuilding skills. Several participants made changes to their personal finances throughout the pilot, including opening bank accounts, establishing bills, reviewing credit reports, and disputing incorrect items on credit reports. “I’ve only heard good things,” said Kevin Horn, CSW, Vice President of Programs for Isaiah House in Mercer County. “I’m thankful for your services and desire to help those struggling with substance use disorder!”

The curriculum was revised and improved based on the pilot results, as well as on peer reviewer commentary and input. It has been through editing and is now undergoing graphic design. This grant project will culminate in late summer when we will roll out the curriculum in a train-the-trainer workshop for individuals working with the recovery community in the four selected counties. Through this initiative, FCS Extension staff is working toward improving the efficacy of substance use recovery programs and improving the financial education of participants.