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Gaston County outlines opioid settlement spending plan, sets RFP schedule and annual community meeting
Summary
County public health officials described how $41 million in state opioid settlement funds will be disbursed in Gaston County over 18 years, noted programs already funded and said a request for proposals will be posted within two months.
GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Gaston County public health staff presented an update Tuesday on how the county intends to use opioid settlement funds distributed through the state, saying the county will receive $41 million over 18 years and has already received $12.88 million.
Abigail Newton, Gaston County assistant public health director, said $8.3 million is currently allocated to nine programs and that the county is funding “option A” strategies under the state’s framework. “One of our currently funded projects is the community paramedicine program... This program has just been refunded for two more years and has demonstrated a large positive impact in the community,” Newton said.
The plan supports a mix of treatment, prevention and recovery services: community paramedicine, recovery transportation to medication-assisted treatment and other appointments, medication-assisted treatment delivered by partner providers, peer support specialists embedded in the Department of Social Services, medication-assisted treatment in the county jail, early-intervention work in schools, mobile units and recovery housing. Newton named Contegra Health and a county community paramedicine provider among current partners and said one partner reports 81% client adherence to treatment six months after induction.
Why it matters: Settlement funds are a multi-year revenue stream that local officials said can expand treatment and recovery infrastructure that the county currently lacks. Newton said collaborative strategic planning and community engagement were required under the settlement (referred to in the presentation as “exhibit B”), and that the county will post a request for proposals within the next two months and issue RFPs annually thereafter based on the settlement team’s recommendations. She also announced an annual community meeting on Sept. 16 at the Citizens Resource Center in Dallas.
Board members asked about the mix of services. Commissioner Kathy Cloniger asked whether providers funded under the plan operate inpatient services; Newton replied that medication-assisted treatment the county currently funds is outpatient. Commissioner Chad Brown asked whether any funded programs would qualify for other county funding sources; Newton said they could be examined for other county or foundational support.
A county staff member from the presentations said the settlement strategy requires extensive community engagement to comply with state requirements and to shape local priorities.
Clarifying details recorded in the presentation: Gaston County’s total state allocation over 18 years — $41,000,000; amount received to date — $12,880,000; amount currently allocated to programs — $8,300,000; number of programs funded currently — nine. Specific funded programs named included a community paramedicine program and a recovery transportation program; partner providers included Contegra Health. Newton said the county will post an RFP in the next two months and hold an annual public meeting on Sept. 16.
