Finance Committee backs full-time peer behavioral health support specialist funded by opioid settlement dollars

The Town of Needham Finance Committee voted March 12, 2025 to recommend approval of a warrant article to continue funding a full-time peer behavioral health support specialist using opioid settlement funds.

Tim McDonald, who presented the article, said the role—titled Peer Behavioral Health Support Specialist—serves as a recovery coach: "Essentially, a recovery coach, a person who's living in recovery that works with people who are currently addicted to substances or any stage of recovery to try to help them navigate their journey," he said. McDonald told the committee the position moved to full time the previous week and the FY26 request of $82,000 is slightly below the full annual cost because the staff member did not start full time in the fall as anticipated.

Committee members pressed for detail on caseload and reporting. McDonald said the specialist had supported a dual-diagnosis support group averaging 4–6 weekly attendees and was actively working with about eight clients in various stages of recovery, most of whom are Needham residents. He identified the staff member as Angie McDonald and said she reports to Karen Shannon, who leads the Substance Prevention Alliance of Needham. The committee requested that staff provide caseload and expenditure tracking as the year progresses so Town Meeting and the Finance Committee can evaluate whether full-time staffing is sustained by service demand.

The committee recorded a roll-call vote recommending approval: Barry yes; Lydia yes; Nina yes; Joe yes; John yes; Paul yes; Allen yes; Chair yes.

The presenters noted the funding mechanism: current-year opioid settlement appropriations are restricted and are carried forward until fully expended; the town will spend down prior-year appropriations before drawing new-year settlement receipts. McDonald said the town had modeled expected settlement dollars averaging roughly $130,000 per year (subject to litigation and payments schedules) and aims for stable, predictable spending so work can continue as market wage and inflation pressures change.

The committee also discussed reporting requirements to the state related to the opioid settlement and noted annual and quarterly reporting includes financial and de-identified demographic program information. Staff said they will provide periodic updates to the committee to track expenditures and program outcomes.