Question 1

Why does CORA need community partners?

Accepted Answer

CORA depends on the help of community leaders to educate their respective communities on the opioid crisis. Typically, communities are less likely to listen to strangers, such as us, especially on such an important topic.
So, we partner with trusted leaders in rural communities. This way, members of the community are more likely to hear and learn about the opioid epidemic. By partnering with you, we can work together to make the largest impact on rural communities.

Question 2

Does it cost anything to become a partner with CORA?

Accepted Answer

No, partnering with us is absolutely free. There should be no barriers, financial or otherwise, to prevent opioid addiction and overdose.

Question 3

What does my community get out of a partnership with CORA?

Accepted Answer

You can expect the following services from CORA:
1. Access to educational materials on the opioid crisis (approximately 4-6 modules per year)
2. A connection to a national network of rural communities that may be struggling with the opioid epidemic
3. Invitations to overdose response training for members in your community
4. Regular updates on CORA’s progress throughout the year.

Question 4

What are the responsibilities of a CORA community partner?

Accepted Answer

Good question. As community partners, we only ask three simple things: 
1. Please keep us updated on your community’s needs. We tailor educational materials to your community. For example, if you find that stigma is a large problem in your community, we will develop educational modules that directly address stigma. We may ask for an update from you about twice a year.
2. Please inform members in your community on events that we may hold in your area, such as overdose response trainings or educational seminars. These will occur twice a year.
3. Please share our educational materials with members of your community. This may be in the form of a presentation or webinar for your community. Our educational materials will be designed so that they are easy to understand and present. We want to make education as barrier-free as possible.

Question 5

What makes you a reliable source of information?

Accepted Answer

As an organization, we are working with the Rural Opioid Technical Assistance, which is a program under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Additionally, we are advised by professors specializing in opioid abuse in the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland.
Further, we are in the middle of developing a partnership with the Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University. We are also looking into partnering with physicians to advise and review our materials.

Question 6

Is there a contract to become a partner?

Accepted Answer

There is no contract to becoming a partner. All we need is a point of contact and an email to share our materials with.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CORA?

What do you do?

How are you reaching communities in rural areas?

Why are you targeting the opioid epidemic with education?

Is there any way for non-students to get involved?

Are your educational materials free?

What do you use donations for?

Is CORA a 501(c)(3) nonprofit?

Why does CORA need community partners?

Does it cost anything to become a partner with CORA?

What does my community get out of a partnership with CORA?

What are the responsibilities of a CORA community partner?

What makes you a reliable source of information?

Is there a contract to become a partner?

What do students do in the organization?

Whats to the expected time commitment to the organization?

Can I join if I don't live in Maryland?

How do I sign up to become a member?

Can I join CORA if i’m not a UMD student?

Can I start a chapter at my university or high school?