SWACH has been awarded funding to support the launch of a new mobile medical clinic in partnership with Klickitat Valley Health (KVH), expanding access to substance use and opioid use disorder services for rural communities across Klickitat County.
The mobile clinic will be operated by KVH with support from SWACH and community partners. The clinic aims to bring care closer to residents in communities where distance, transportation, provider shortages, stigma and other barriers can make it difficult for residents to access services. The clinic is expected to provide access to screening, assessment, early intervention, treatment connections, medications for treatment, overdose prevention, health education, care coordination and referrals to health and social services.
The project will serve youth and adults ages 13 and older who are experiencing substance use or opioid use disorder, including people with co-occurring behavioral health needs and residents who may face additional barriers to accessing care.
SWACH will administer the project funding, while KVH will lead implementation and operation of the mobile clinic. SWACH will also support project planning, partner coordination, data collection and reporting, community outreach, and efforts to identify future funding that can help sustain the clinic beyond the initial project period.
The project also brings together several local and regional partners. Klickitat County Public Health will support referrals and coordination for behavioral health and other health services. One Community Health, which already operates a mobile medical unit in Klickitat County, will provide technical assistance and implementation guidance. Goldendale Pharmacy will have a process for accessing medications, including buprenorphine, when clinically appropriate.
Work during the first year will include purchasing and outfitting the mobile unit, recruiting staff and providers, developing community partnerships and referral networks, conducting community outreach and establishing clinic workflows in preparation for launching services.
The aim is to establish a sustainable mobile care model that continues bringing substance use and opioid use disorder services closer to residents throughout Klickitat County beyond the initial funding period.