Committee permits nonprofits to use leftover opioid-abatement funds for AEDs, naloxone and stop-bleed kits

Sumner County's Opioid Abatement Committee on Jan. 16 approved a motion allowing nonprofit grantees with available opioid-abatement funds to purchase emergency-response kits'including automated external defibrillators (AEDs), naloxone and stop-bleed kits'as an amendment to their grant contracts.

The change was proposed as a way to use unspent funds designated for infrastructure; staff said the County had combined leftover award money to begin a pilot that would supply AEDs, naloxone and stop-bleed kits in county buildings and could be offered to nonprofits that have matching or available funds. Grant accountant (staff member) told the committee the initial funding would "lay the foundation" for the initiative but would not cover all costs, estimating individual kits at roughly $40 to $60 each.

Committee members discussed implementation and guardrails. The proposal includes requiring training for nonprofit staff and registration of wall-mounted AEDs with Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Grant accountant said EMS would provide or register AEDs and could help coordinate a short training for nonprofit staff so the devices and naloxone could be installed and tracked properly.

Judge Hunter had requested that the program allow not-for-profits to receive the infrastructure if they meet training and registration requirements; the committee added an amendment asking staff to provide a report back before purchases begin so the body could review specifics of vendors, locations and funding availability. The motion to permit nonprofits to buy emergency kits as a contract amendment was seconded and approved by the committee (vote tally not specified in the record).

Committee members raised fiscal limits: if leftover award amounts do not cover purchases, nonprofits would need to provide their own match. Staff said the policy as amended would allow purchase only when funds were available and adequate; organizations without matching funds would not automatically receive the equipment.

Next steps: staff will return with a report on expected kit cost totals, recommended vendors, training plans coordinated with EMS, and a proposed process for contract amendments. Any purchases will be contingent on available grant balances and required training/registration.

The discussion and motion were held during the committee's regular meeting on Jan. 16. The approved change applies only to grantees with funding availability and requires staff follow-up before funds are spent.