York County updates federal panel on rural mental-health and drug programs; officials urge naloxone availability along I-80 corridor

York County officials said members of the county's REACH rural team are presenting to a panel of federal program officials in Washington this week about local mental-health and drug-related problems and funding needs. County officials said the recent federal funding "freeze" has been clarified and that programs such as a COSO grant and a juvenile variance previously awarded to the county are not believed to be in jeopardy.

A county representative reported that Tristan and Josh Gillespie are presenting on York County's status, including crime rates and substance-use concerns, and that additional funding requests are being pursued. The official said he was joining the delegation later in the week.

Commissioners and staff who attended regional meetings also reported on opioid-intervention planning in Lincoln and Omaha. One attendee said discussions emphasized the availability of an opioid overdose reversal drug and the need for public awareness of where to obtain it. The meeting noted that along the I-80 corridor there are higher rates of overdose claims and that York County locations near the interstate ranked among the highest in their region for overdose-related claims.

Officials urged greater public knowledge of where to obtain naloxone and recommended improving local availability and signage so bystanders can act before calling crisis hotlines. The county will continue to pursue federal funding opportunities and will monitor grant guidance from program offices.