Emily’s Hope announced the expansion of its Post-Overdose Response Team into Brown County, South Dakota, to provide rapid, compassionate, evidence-based support to overdose survivors upon returning home. The PORT model pairs trained peer support specialists with public health and safety partners to reach overdose survivors and provide non-judgmental support and resources tailored to individual needs. Services include free naloxone and training, help with treatment connections, assistance with medication refills for opioid use disorder, and follow-up for up to a year. All services are free, confidential, and require no commitment.
Emily’s Hope founder Angela Kennecke noted the program is entering its third year and continues to demonstrate power when “compassion meets timely support.” She stated: “Every survivor deserves someone who shows up for them without judgment and with real solutions. Expanding into Brown County means more lives reached, more families supported, and more opportunities for recovery.” Program Manager Diana Leal emphasized the critical timing: “The moments after an overdose can feel overwhelming and disorienting. People often don’t know where to turn or what options actually exist. Nobody should face that fear alone. Everyone deserves support, dignity, and a real chance at recovery.”
The expansion was made possible through support from the South Dakota Department of Social Services, Division of Behavioral Health. Partnerships with Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center and Avera St. Luke’s Hospital strengthen the program’s reach. KaSara Stokes, Director of Nursing and Clinical Services at Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center, called PORT “a critical step forward in how we support individuals and families impacted by the escalating opioid epidemic in our region.” Jessi Paysen, Director of Avera Behavioral Health & Addiction Care Services, added that bringing together “healthcare providers, local law enforcement, and community partners allows us to respond with compassion, connect people to resources, and offer hope during difficult moments.”
The Emily’s Hope Post-Overdose Response Team serves seven counties and began offering services in Brown County on May 22, 2026.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2026/05/22/emilys-hope-expanding-post-overdose-response-team-brown-county/