Council approves $17,000 from restricted opioid funds for Healthy Communities recovery cafes

The Clinton County Council on a unanimous 6-0 vote approved $17,000 from the county'restricted portion of opioid settlement funds to support Healthy Communities'run recovery cafés.

Laura Archibald, speaking for the county'city opioid settlement committee, told the council the committee received a single application in the cycle from Healthy Communities and recommended funding $17,000 from the county and $17,000 from the city for a total county/city contribution of $34,000. "This request was for money to continue the evidence based, recovery cafes," Archibald said. "The total cost of the project is a hundred and $68,000 every year. We are doing an in kind contribution of a 34,000 and asking for a funding request of 34,000 with that being split half between the city and half between the county."

Archibald described the cafés'which operate at the Trinity Hope Center'as evidence-based programs that provide meals, small-group discussions and wraparound supports and noted they serve people involved in the criminal justice system. She said program goals include reaching at least 100 individuals monthly and a minimum of 350 unique people per year. "We go through what's called the steps of vitality and promotive and protective factors for recovery," she said. "They're very well attended. I can tell you, we started the teen recovery cafe a year ago... now we average 12 every single month." Amber Morris, representing probation, confirmed that probation staff refer participants and that teen attendance has risen since the program began.

Archibald recommended the county use restricted opioid funds for the award because the program is evidence-based and fits the restricted fund purpose. The committee also noted additional settlement funds were expected soon from the Walgreens settlement. Councilmember Carol moved to approve the $17,000 county portion from restricted opioid funds; Mary seconded. The motion passed 6-0.

Council members later praised Healthy Communities'staff and partners for prevention work and for measurable results cited in the group's annual impact materials. Archibald said Healthy Communities reaches more than 16,000 county residents annually through prevention and care navigation services and listed program staff roles, including peer recovery coaches and insurance navigators.

The award will be processed as an appropriation from the county's restricted opioid settlement fund; the council voted specifically on the county portion at the meeting.