County-funded recovery navigator reports rising referrals, about 40% start formal treatment

At a July 18 meeting of the Sumner County Opioid Abatement Committee, a recovery navigator funded by the county described program outreach at High Point Health and said referrals to formal treatment have increased since the program’s May rollout. Justin Werlick, identified in the meeting as the county-funded recovery navigator affiliated with High Point Health / Summit Regional, told the committee his caseload has grown since May and that about 40% of patients he refers have been set up for and entered treatment, based on screenings and follow-up checks with treatment centers. The program places Narcan and recovery-resource materials into "Box of Hope" kits that Werlick said are being distributed in the hospital’s emergency department, inpatient units and the women's center. Werlick said he also receives referrals from outpatient primary care providers and follows up by phone and appointment-setting during his weekday hours. Committee members asked about hours and coverage; Werlick said he works weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and that weekend contacts are handled by case managers who pass referrals for his follow-up. Werlick said the program’s official rollout last month increased visibility and that he has seen a rise in case counts: an early month figure he described as in the high 20s to high 30s and “about 20 so far” in the current month, with variability around weekend staffing and board outreach efforts. Werlick described how "referred to treatment" is defined operationally: a completed screening, acceptance by a treatment provider and an appointment or direct handoff that the navigator or a partner confirms. He said several local treatment centers have agreed to provide feedback when referred patients arrive, allowing him to confirm linkage in some cases. Committee members asked whether individuals must present to the emergency department to access the navigator; Werlick said people can contact him directly by phone and staff can provide his contact information if they do not see him in person. The committee discussed expanding the Box of Hope placement to other hospitals in the region and ensuring other local hospitals without a dedicated navigator receive materials or referral pathways. Werlick said he has met state recovery navigator Kevin Matthews and that local coordination is under way. Committee members expressed support for the navigator position and discussed long-term funding questions for the role if settlement revenues change; Werlick and staff said they are pursuing state funding and conversations with hospital leadership about sustaining the position if county grant dollars are reduced. The committee did not take formal action on the navigator position during the meeting; members said they would continue to discuss funding and program coordination in upcoming meetings.