County seeks consensus to apply opioid-abatement funds for community paramedicine, recovery court and prevention programs

Franklin County staff asked the board for consensus to apply for opioid-abatement funds to support a set of treatment, prevention and recovery projects over a three-year window.

Staff described the available funding as changing with new settlements and said the county can submit applications to the opioid abatement authority for eligible abatement activities. The goal of the proposed three-year plan is to use a combination of county-held opioid settlement receipts and awards from the regional abatement authority to support programs that directly abate the opioid epidemic.

What staff proposed and approximate three-year request amounts (staff emphasized applications and eligibility still must be confirmed with the abatement authority) - Community paramedicine program (revival): staff proposed funding for personnel, equipment and program costs; the three-year total described during the meeting was roughly $435,000 if found eligible. - Piedmont Community Services family recovery court: a federal grant currently funds part of this program; staff proposed opioid funds to sustain the court when the federal grant expires; staff cited roughly $150,000 per year for 2 years (about $300,000 total) as a placeholder if the federal grant does not continue. - Fresh Coalition prevention and outreach work and Grace House operating needs: staff proposed multi-year funding for supplies, training and facility support; staff cited a three-year request in the $200,000'$270,000 range and a small mobile-unit fuel line-item. - Eagle's Nest (faith-based) treatment program: the organization expressed interest in providing space in Franklin County; staff said they would evaluate eligibility and report back.

Why it matters: Opioid-abatement funds are restricted to abatement, treatment, recovery, prevention and related activities. Staff warned that after the three-year application window the county expects lower annual receipts (staff estimated about $200,000 annually in a later funding window) and urged caution about committing to ongoing programs without long-term funding plans.

Board direction: Supervisors gave staff consensus to continue developing applications and to return to the board with more detailed proposals in November. Several supervisors emphasized the need to avoid creating unfunded ongoing commitments after the initial three-year plan.

Ending: Staff will prepare grant applications and follow up with Piedmont Community Services, the school division and other partners to refine project scopes and costs; final grant awards and any obligating action would return to the board for acceptance.