Wayne County schools to receive opioid‑settlement funds for student supports; $485,139 award funds pre‑K and elementary behavioral specialists

Wayne County Public Schools will receive opioid‑abatement funds to support students and families affected by the opioid epidemic after the board voted Aug. 4 to accept an agreement with the county for Project 3, a multi‑year initiative the presentation lists at $485,139 over three years.

District staff outlined Project 3 as focusing on tools to identify students impacted by opioid use, development of information‑sharing pathways across early‑childhood providers, trauma‑informed training and hiring of specialists. Specifically, the project funding will support a pre‑K behavior specialist who will push into pre‑K classrooms and daycare settings, and an elementary behavior specialist to support K–5 students with tier‑3 behavioral interventions aligned to trauma‑informed practice.

The district recommended entering the agreement pending final legal review; the county’s application process awarded the funds to the district project as a suitable use of the settlement funds. The board approved the agreement pending legal review; the transcript records the motion was made by a board member with the vote recorded as unanimous.

Separately, the board approved a contract with the Partnership for Children to act as the hiring and implementing agent for the pre‑K behavior specialist role. Staff said the partnership has an existing relationship with the district and a proven track record delivering early‑childhood services; the board approved that contract by motion and voice vote.

District staff thanked county reviewers and staff who prepared the project application and noted the funds will complement existing district‑led initiatives to support students and families. Staff said final contract language would be completed with legal review before funds are expended.