RCHD’s Kloey Stevens awarded HPP Prevention Advocate of the Year
Chillicothe, OH – RCHD’s Kloey Stevens was awarded Prevention Advocate of the Year Award at Hope Partnership Project’s annual awards ceremony in late November. Kloey was recognized for her outstanding commitment to advocacy and raising awareness for substance use disorder (SUD) related programs and support in our community. As Ross County Post Overdose Response Team Coordinator and Facilitator of the Ross County Overdose and Suicide Fatality Review Board, Kloey works every day with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health barriers, and substance use disorder. Kloey’s passion for helping others and fighting stigma shines in her work with activities including homeless outreach and naloxone distribution.
Kloey’s dedicated involvement has contributed to the success of overdose prevention efforts in Ross County in 2024. To date, 186 successful contacts have been made through PORT to individuals suffering from overdose, a 35% increase from 2023’s 121 successful contacts. As of December 2024, 1,689 boxes of naloxone have been distributed in Ross County via outreach of PORT and partners, a 30% increase from 2023’s 1,193 boxes distributed.
“Thankful is truly an understatement,” said Stevens of being named 2024 Prevention Advocate of the Year.
Stevens expressed, “I once thought being in this field that I would be providing support, love, and fostering hope to individuals and their families that needed it but after being in this position I can say I have needed the individuals more than they have needed me.” She continued, “Thank you to every partner that supports me, every individual that has changed my life, every agency that offers me kindness and all the people I am so lucky to call my friend. I have so much hope for the future.”
Ross County’s future is certainly brighter with compassionate individuals like Kloey advocating for our community’s most vulnerable populations.
More information:
Overdose Prevention – Ross County Health District
Ross County Post Overdose Response Team (PORT) on Facebook
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About the Ross County Health District
The Ross County Health District (RCHD), founded in 1979, is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board that works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Ross County. RCHD is governed by a seven-member board of health and consists of four divisions: Public Health Nursing, Environmental Health, Health Promotion, and Quality Improvement, and Administration. Learn more about the Ross County Health District at RossCountyHealth.org. For more information, please contact Sara Smith at sksmith@RossCountyHealth.org