Washtenaw steering committee recommends RFP and oversight to spend opioid settlement funds after needs assessment

Washtenaw County health department leaders and an opioid settlement steering committee presented the results of a yearlong needs assessment and recommended issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to distribute opioid settlement funds, with an advisory committee to oversee grants and a public dashboard to track outcomes.

The county anticipates receiving $16,385,290 from national opioid settlements over 18 years, and officials reported $4.6 million available as of the most recent accounting. Steering‑committee members described a process designed to balance speed and community engagement: they conducted a quantitative review and focus groups, used technical assistance from the Michigan Association of Counties and Michigan State University, and solicited input from providers and people with lived experience.

Why it matters: Exhibit E in opioid settlement documents limits allowable uses to opioid remediation activities (treatment, prevention, harm reduction, recovery supports). The steering committee emphasized evidence‑based programming, provider stabilization and local data to guide spending.

Findings from the needs assessment Michigan State University and public health staff led a mixed‑methods needs assessment that combined public health surveillance, strategic plans and focus groups. Steering committee members said they conducted 188 participant sessions including 65 substance‑use service providers and 123 people with lived experience. Common themes included:

- Housing and basic needs: "Everybody mentioned housing," the presentation said; stakeholders flagged both recovery housing and housing for people actively using as priorities. - Harm reduction and stigma: Gaps were identified in syringe service reach, naloxone distribution, and provider and community training to reduce stigma. - Systems and recovery orientation: Respondents asked for stronger local coordination, data sharing and an integrated recovery‑oriented system of care. - Youth prevention: The WISD student and parent survey and local partners signaled the need for youth‑directed prevention and parent education.

Steering committee recommendations The steering committee recommended: (1) issuing an RFP that funds evidence‑based opioid remediation strategies consistent with Exhibit E; (2) establishing an independent review panel to score proposals; (3) creating an ongoing advisory or oversight committee to monitor funded projects; and (4) building transparency via a public dashboard that reports allocations, outputs and outcomes.

Timeline and proposed uses Officials proposed releasing an RFP in April–May, convening a scoring panel, and bringing funding recommendations to the Board by late spring so awards can be made and services supported quickly. Proposed program areas include expanding warm handoffs and recovery services, treatment for criminal justice–involved individuals, syringe service expansion, medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) access, housing for people in recovery and supports for co‑occurring disorders.

Officials emphasized provider stabilization Public comment earlier in the meeting highlighted nonprofits that lost state and Medicaid funding and asked the county to use settlement funds to sustain proven local providers. Steering committee members said sustainability of local providers and immediate gaps identified in focus groups informed the recommended priorities.

Next steps and oversight Steering committee members said they will finalize the needs assessment report and return to the board with a recommended RFP, a proposed advisory committee structure, and a public accountability plan. The health department offered to provide staff support for oversight, reporting and recurring needs assessments.

Ending Commissioners praised the data‑driven process and asked staff to return with formal RFP language and oversight recommendations in March so the county can begin distributing funds this spring.