Summit Healthcare Association’s groundbreaking project, “An Emergency Department Story of Success with Peer Support – All We Did Was Say Yes,” has been awarded 1st place at the Human Resource Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Communities Opioid Resource Program (RCORP) Innovation Tank Reverse Site Visit, held on March 4-5, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
The HRSA Reverse Site Visit brought together over 700 grantees, healthcare professionals, and federal representatives from various RCORP initiatives, including Behavioral Health Care Support, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Access, and Centers of Excellence.
Transforming Emergency Care Through Peer Support
Launched in March 2023, Summit Healthcare’s peer support initiative is part of a $1 million RCORP Implementation Grant awarded in September 2022 in collaboration with Hope Inc., Etransx, and the CIRCLE Consortium. The program integrates Peer Support Specialists into the Emergency Department, inpatient floors, and surrounding communities. Since its inception, the program has received 495 referrals, with 440 from the Emergency Department and hospital, and 56 from the community.
“The number of referrals and the seamless implementation have exceeded our expectations,” said Sean Hopler, RN, Director of Emergency Services at Summit Healthcare.
The program has demonstrated measurable success, including reduced Emergency Department wait times, fewer repeat visits, faster placements in treatment centers, and millions in Medicaid cost savings.
Expanding Support for Mothers and Infants
In alignment with the grant objectives, Summit Healthcare identified a critical need for specialized support for mothers and infants affected by substance use disorder (SUD) and social determinants of health (SDOH). In Fall 2024, the ASPIRe (Alliance Supporting Parents in Recovery/Need) program was launched, connecting mothers with Parenting Peer Specialists from Hope Inc. To date, 103 mothers have received support, and demand for services continues to grow.
Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability
With the grant funding set to expire on August 31, 2025, Summit Healthcare is proactively working with key stakeholders to ensure the continuation of Peer Support Services beyond the grant period. In the next six months, the project team will finalize reimbursement protocols, policies, and contracts to integrate Hope Inc.’s Peer Support Specialists as a permanent part of the Patient Care Team.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in community healthcare, demonstrating how collaboration and innovation can dramatically improve the lives of individuals struggling with substance use disorders and create lasting, sustainable change in healthcare delivery.
