The Crawford County Commissioners held a work session on December 18, 2024, focusing on critical funding requests related to opioid addiction services and airport authority updates.

The meeting began with a motion to add Jim Glatch from the Crawford County Drug and Alcohol Executive Commission to the agenda. Glatch presented a request for funding from the opioid settlement fund to cover the salary of a Center of Excellence (COE) case manager, totaling $42,760.26. This funding is essential for maintaining a community-based care team, which is a requirement for the designated Pennsylvania Center of Excellence.

Additionally, Glatch sought funding to assist uninsured clients with opioid use disorder (OUD) by covering medical costs associated with their care. This request amounted to $20,000, bringing the total funding request to $62,760.26. The urgency of these requests was emphasized, as there are limited funds available before the end of the year.

The commissioners expressed their support for the funding requests, noting their alignment with ongoing efforts to address substance abuse issues in the community. They also mentioned an upcoming project focused on workforce development for individuals with substance use disorders, which is expected to be discussed in future meetings.

Following Glatch's presentation, the meeting transitioned to updates from the airport authority, led by Bob Sheets, indicating a shift in focus to infrastructure and transportation matters in the county.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to addressing the opioid crisis and supporting community health initiatives while also managing local infrastructure needs.