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129 <br /> professional development opportunities in the healthcare and recovery field. This investment will <br /> benefit mentors directly and strengthen our community's ability to address the growing crisis of <br /> inadequate mental health and substance use support—a crisis intensified by systemic inequities. <br /> C. Equity Impact(8 points,page limit: not to exceed 3/a page) <br /> The Reintegration Support Network(RSN) was born out of tragedy but fueled by hope. <br /> When 18-year-old Matt McQuiston tragically died from a drug overdose after months of <br /> treatment, Matt's family and friends established a memorial fund to provide necessary support <br /> systems. The aim of this fund was to prevent similar devastation to the lives of other youth and <br /> their families. Since RSN's inception, its purpose has been to interrupt the systemic barriers that <br /> youth and their families experience when accessing mental health and substance use services. <br /> Centering racial equity, RSN employs inclusive practices that recognize systemic pressures, <br /> creating opportunity gaps for under-resourced youth,particularly youth of color. Leveraging a <br /> mentoring model with adults who possess lived experience, RSN builds supportive communities; <br /> communities designed to embrace, inspire, and empower young people. This approach ensures <br /> culturally responsive services, addressing the root causes of racial injustice and fostering a more <br /> just and equitable system where all youth, especially those from minority populations, can thrive <br /> and avoid tragedies like Matt's. <br /> RSN directly addresses health inequities by serving youth disproportionately impacted by <br /> systemic barriers to mental health and substance use treatment,particularly youth of color and <br /> those involved in the juvenile justice system. Recognizing that poverty and social identities <br /> compound these challenges, RSN provides culturally responsive, person-centered services. Our <br /> harm reduction philosophy prioritizes the safety and dignity of youth and families, moving <br /> beyond punitive approaches to substance use. We specifically target disparities in access to care <br /> by offering free services and online resources for uninsured/underinsured families. Our mentors <br /> address social determinants of health, such as transportation barriers,by connecting families to <br /> local resources and facilitating access to enrichment activities. This ensures that youth, especially <br /> in rural areas, can access essential services and opportunities. <br /> D. Organizational Readiness (20 points,page limit: not to exceed 3 pages) <br /> In 2019, RSN developed a unique mentoring model for youth,utilizing trained <br /> paraprofessional mentors with lived experience to provide support services to young people <br /> impacted by mental health challenges, substance use, and/or justice involvement. This innovative <br /> approach leverages the power of shared experience to build trust and connection, offering youth <br /> a unique form of support from individuals who understand their struggles. RSN began <br /> implementing its programming through a three-year partnership funded by a Substance Abuse <br /> and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) "Building Communities of Recovery" <br /> (BCOR) grant.' This initial funding provided crucial support for program development and <br /> implementation.Although BCOR grant funding ended in July 2022,RSN has demonstrated its <br /> sustainability by continuing to provide high-quality, culturally responsive services that support <br /> 3 <br />