Committee members heard progress reports on multiple programs funded by Tompkins County's opioid settlement allocation and approved one contract amendment for the county library on June 18.

Opioid settlement context: Sam (county staff) told the committee the county originally awarded $722,374 across eight awardees. As of the report, roughly $345,008.13 had been spent and several awardees were nearing completion of their funded activities.

Presentations and key program details:

- Project TEACH / TST BOCES: Melissa Vandelli, medical director for the BOCES school health team, and Jessica Hoff (physician assistant) described a pediatric psychiatric education program (PEP) that trained local pediatric providers with weekly didactics, case discussions and mentorship. The program has six local fellows and an advisory board. Vandelli said the training strengthened local referral networks and that grant funds are being used to support fellowship activities and planned expansion into a substance-use focus next year.

- OAR / Sunflower House and Pier Crossing: David Saunders, executive director of OAR, described a housing-focused program that pairs temporary housing and peer supports for people in recovery. Saunders reported 18 participants under the opioid-funded program to date, average housing stays of about 242 days, and that 8 of 12 exits to date led to permanent housing. He said wraparound supports reduced 9-1-1 calls to the site (80 calls in 2023; 41 in 2024; 4 so far in 2025 at his audited locations), and that the program has used settlement funding to hold placements for residents who leave briefly for treatment so they do not lose their housing spot.

- Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL): A library representative reported the library's Narcan vending machine has distributed more than 200 boxes of Narcan since November (over 400 doses), staff have received training and the library has offered monthly public trainings (average five attendees). The library reported outreach metrics from a recent author event and online engagement and asked to reallocate its awarded funds for further marketing and program outreach.

- Reach Medical: Samantha Stevenson (Reach Medical) said the organization's outreach team engaged about 350 unique individuals in 2024 (about 85% reported homelessness or housing instability). Reach documented 38 Narcan trainings and distributed 939 doses as part of trainings and nearly 2,500 doses to people in active use during 2024. The outreach team also provides case management, hospital- and jail-referrals, food deliveries and landlord liaison services.

- Finger Lakes ReUse: Robin Elliott reported the job-training program has recruited 11 trainees who identify as in recovery; three had completed training and two gained permanent employment. The program operates on a rolling basis and had a wait list of about 30 people.

Committee action: The committee read a resolution to amend the county opioid settlement contract for the Tompkins County Public Library (Contract ID 13375). Amanda moved the resolution and Randy seconded. The committee voted unanimously to approve the amendment so the library can reallocate funds for marketing and outreach tied to Narcan distribution and training.

What it means: Presenters told legislators the settlement funding is allowing local services to expand naloxone distribution, support recovery housing and training, and pilot outreach and workforce programs. Several presenters said the funding window extends into 2026 for some awards; a few programs are pursuing additional grants or alternate funding for continuation.

Follow-up: Committee members asked presenters to return with evaluations or service metrics as programs conclude or to report on how reallocated library funds were spent. The TCPL amendment was approved at the meeting; other grantees reported progress but no further committee votes were taken that day.