Franklin County to fund opioid education coordinator for schools with settlement money

Franklin County commissioners voted to fund a new opioid education prevention coordinator to expand substance‑use prevention and overdose awareness programs in the county’s public and private schools.

The position, described at the commissioners’ meeting as a partnership with the nonprofit Healthy Community Partnership (HCP) and funded entirely from opioid settlement dollars, is intended to strengthen “our local response to the opioid crisis by expanding prevention and education efforts in Franklin County’s public and private schools,” Administrator James Eagler said. "This position ensures consistent high quality support across all districts focused on prevention," Eagler added.

County officials told commissioners the coordinator will provide evidence‑based curricula, Naloxone education and distribution in school settings, help schools make referrals to student assistance programs, and track program outcomes. Eagler said the proposal aligns with the opioid settlement guidelines (identified in the meeting as Exhibit E) and would serve both public and private schools as well as home‑school and cyber‑school populations. He said the position would support “nearly 22,000 students across public and private schools.”

The county presented this as a grant‑funded pilot: the position will be paid from opioid settlement funds and not from the county general fund. Eagler said the initial contract period was planned for 18 months to align with the school year but is likely to be extended to about 24 months while the county and HCP demonstrate outcomes; staff said they would pursue other funding sources over time so the program would not rely solely on settlement dollars.

During discussion, a commissioner asked whether the expense is annual; staff replied the contract covers an initial 18‑month term with probable extension to a two‑year period and noted work to secure sustainable funding if the pilot proves effective. Commissioners moved approval and the motion passed.

The vote authorizes the county to fund the HCP‑supported coordinator using opioid settlement dollars, to purchase evidence‑based curricula (which staff said can cost $3,000–$5,000 per program), and to provide materials and other supports to participating schools. The county said it will track referrals, collaborations with educators and families, and measurable program outcomes as part of evaluating sustainability.

The action is expected to be followed by contract and implementation details worked out between county staff and HCP, and by agreements with individual school districts that request the coordinator’s services.