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Hendry County approves opioid-settlement funds for two United Way mental health positions
Summary
The commission approved using opioid settlement dollars to fund two mental-health resource manager positions at United Way, one to supplement an existing East-side post and one to place on the West side.
The Hendry County Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to allocate opioid settlement funds to support two mental health resource manager positions at United Way, the county’s community partner on behavioral health navigation.
Emily Hunter, the county’s community relations and legislative director, told the board United Way had previously funded an East-side mental health resource manager with a Hanley Foundation grant; that grant application failed and the position was at risk. The county proposal would use opioid settlement dollars to continue the East-side position and fund an additional West-side position located temporarily at the county resiliency center.
Hunter said about $374,000 currently sits in the county opioid fund and that the county expects settlement receipts to continue over 17 years; staff requested $58,500 per position for the first year. The county would either amend its existing agreement with United Way or put an MOU in place to outline duties and reporting requirements, Hunter said.
Commissioner Raymond Iglesias moved to approve the request; Commissioner Mitchell Wills seconded. The commission voted unanimously to fund the positions and direct staff to draft the amendment or MOU for formal execution.
County staff said the funding would be structured through the county’s existing opioid settlement account, that United Way employees would remain United Way staff, and that the county would capture deliverables and reporting terms in the contract amendment.
Next steps: staff will return with an amended agreement or MOU for the board to execute and with reporting expectations for the mental-health resource managers.
