Each new year, people across Kentucky join in the time-honored tradition of reflecting on the year past and thinking ahead to goals for the upcoming year. With many years of goals to think back on, one takeaway is clear – I’m more likely to achieve that goal if I have a plan in place for how to do it. 

In the past, when I set a goal to run the Kentucky Derby half marathon at the end of April, I knew I had to start a training program right away. I couldn’t just will myself through 13.1 miles without putting in the work in the months leading up to the race.

Creating a Plan for Action 

In addition to personal goals, the new calendar year can inspire new goals for the community or for Kentucky overall. What dreams do you want to turn into reality this year? When it comes to community goals around addressing the opioid epidemic, a plan can be just as important to getting to the finish line for that goal. 

The Opioid Data Dashboard on Children and Families can be your resource for creating that plan. With the Opioid Data Dashboard, you can identify areas where your county is lagging behind, learn about solutions to the data, and see what other counties are doing. In short, you can find the information and insights you need to map out a plan for achieving your community goal. 

Set yourself up for success, and check out the Opioid Data Dashboard for ideas on how to achieve goals for a healthier, stronger community. On the dashboard, you can find:

  • Information from our partners at KACo on how other counties are investing funds;
  • Ideas for tangible action steps you can take with the Solutions in Action box on each topic page; and
  • Examples of how communities are addressing the opioid epidemic with the Action Ideas in Practice map on page 3.

Can KYA Help Your Community?

Kentucky Youth Advocates stand ready to provide free assistance to community groups that are interested in identifying the most impactful ways to address the opioid epidemic and the impacts on children and families. Our technical assistance includes flexible options:

  • Compile a document of key data takeaways;
  • Present to a community gathering in your county;
  • Facilitate a process to identify what community members want to prioritize.

Reach out to Tara at tgrieshop@kyyouth.org or Hannah at hedelen@kyyouth.org, and let us know how we can help you and your community achieve your goals on addressing the opioid epidemic for the new year!