The University of Nevada, Reno will expand its StreetReach initiative after the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners approved nearly $500,000 for the Washoe Opioid Abatement and Recovery Fund (WOARF) on June 24. The two-year award will help broaden access to low-barrier, integrated healthcare for people experiencing homelessness and those who use or are at risk for opioid use disorder in Washoe County.

StreetReach is a nurse-led partnership between the Orvis School of Nursing and the Larson Institute within the School of Public Health. The program brings healthcare directly to people living unsheltered, reducing barriers to care by meeting individuals where they are and connecting them with ongoing medical and social services.

The funding will expand outreach and services for individuals at risk of opioid use disorder while supporting the addition of Dr. Christina Coss to the care team. A dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Coss also serves as a faculty practitioner with the Orvis School of Nursing. Her appointment will also strengthen clinical training opportunities for nurse practitioner students.

"This investment allows us to expand access to healthcare for people who are often left out of traditional systems of care," Dr. Molly Kokenge, associate dean for Strategic Partnerships and Practice at the Orvis School of Nursing, said.

"By bringing services directly into the community, we can address immediate health needs, strengthen connections to treatment and recovery resources, and help create healthier futures for some of Washoe County's most vulnerable residents."

The funding aligns with Washoe County's priorities for addressing the opioid epidemic, expanding access to evidence-based treatment and reducing barriers for underserved populations. The award is part of the county's broader investment of opioid settlement funds into programs that support prevention, treatment and recovery throughout the region.

"We are incredibly grateful to Washoe County and the Commission for recognizing the value of bringing healthcare directly into the community," Jane Fox, MPH, director of the Larson Institute, said. "This investment strengthens our ability to serve some of our region's most vulnerable residents while building sustainable partnerships that improve health outcomes and advance health equity."

Since launching earlier this year, StreetReach has provided nurse-led wound care, blood-borne virus screening, health education and connections to medical and social services for people experiencing homelessness. The initiative also creates hands-on learning opportunities for nursing and public health students while strengthening community partnerships across Northern Nevada.

By bringing healthcare directly to those who need it most, StreetReach exemplifies The Wolf Pack Way, creating healthier communities while preparing future healthcare professionals to make a meaningful impact in Nevada.