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Opioid task force outlines local programs funded by settlement dollars; board authorizes continued administration
Summary
The Citrus County opioid task force reported projects funded by settlement money and the board authorized continued administration and recommended ongoing data improvements and contracts management.
The Citrus County opioid task force presented its annual report on May 13 and the board authorized staff to continue administering the county’s share of opioid settlement funds.
Todd Hockert, chair of the Citrus County opioid task force, and Shelly Katz of Lutheran Services of Florida (LSF) reviewed projects funded with settlement dollars, the subcommittee process, and next steps. Katz said LSF has provided administrative and contract-management services for the task force and listed projects funded in the most recent year.
Funded activities include medication-assisted treatment (MAT) providers, temporary respite housing for people seeking recovery, sharps containers purchased for first responders, residential and youth treatment services contracted with providers such as Eckerd and Langley Health Services, prevention and youth-ambassador programs, a coordinated opioid response for fire/EMS and referral work, and therapy for traumatized children at the Citrus County Child Advocacy Center.
Katz said the county’s allocation for the coming year, starting July 1, is $851,603 for opioid-settlement programming; LSF also manages a separate “core” program that provides roughly $206,000 in additional support. LSF noted it is improving data reporting tools in July to enhance outcome tracking.
Commission discussion and board action: Commissioners praised the task force’s approach and the administrative partnership with LSF. Commissioner Jeff Kennard moved to authorize staff to continue administering settlement funds for the current fiscal year and the board approved the motion unanimously.
The task force will continue working with the board and LSF to implement contracts, track outcomes and carry forward any unspent dollars to the next fiscal year. Katz said any funds not spent by projects will carry forward.
