Needs Assessment & Funding Priority Areas

The Washoe Opioid Abatement and Recovery Fund (WOARF) conducted the Washoe County Opioid Use/Opioid Use Disorder Needs Assessment (Need Assessment) to identify the strengths, needs, and gaps for addressing opioid use disorder (OUD), prevention, treatment, recovery, and risk reduction services in Washoe County. NRS 433.742 requires the use of community-based participatory research (CBPR) as a methodology to conduct local Needs Assessments. WOARF invited community members into the process as equal partners, which builds relationships and generates trust and buy-in. The gathered data are from multiple sources, including surveys, focus groups, community meetings, and stakeholder feedback, and will inform the allocation of opioid settlement funds.

The Needs Assessment process was guided by a Steering Committed and a Living Experience Advisory Board (LEAB). The combined roles of the Steering Committee and the LEAB provided a dual framework for the Needs Assessment process. The Steering Committee ensured institutional oversight, strategic alignment, and stakeholder accountability. The LEAB ensured living experience was at the center of survey design, outreach, and interpretation. Their combined contributions guaranteed that the process was comprehensive, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of the community. By incorporating both institutional expertise and living experience, Washoe County established a model of participatory governance that strengthens the legitimacy and effectiveness of the resulting strategies for opioid abatement and recovery.

Washoe County Opioid Use Disorder Community Needs Assessment 2026- 2029

WOARF Funding Plan 2026 -2027

The 2026-2027 WOARF Funding Plan outlines five new and two continued priority recommendations for funding.

Continued

Use a multidisciplinary approach to providing overdose prevention outreach and education, inclusive of under resourced communities, such as BIPOC communities, in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner (organizations, media, churches).
Implement child welfare best practices for supporting families impacted by substance use.

New

Conduct targeted outreach to disconnected communities to connect people to existing resources, coordinate care, and provide navigation support throughout the continuum of care
Expand housing services to support people with OUD across the continuum of use that include comprehensive wrap-around and tenancy supports
Evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of existing programs and services for people who use substances
Provide mobile health care clinics that include comprehensive health and dental care for people who use or are at risk of using opioids
Create peer-led mental health supports to prevent burnout among peer workers, providers, and professionals working in the field

For more information on the previous 2023-2025 Needs Assessment and detailed findings, please refer to: