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Huron commission backs letter to help Community Counseling apply for $35,000 opioid-settlement grant
Summary
The Huron City Commission voted unanimously to provide a letter of support for Community Counseling Services’ application for a $35,000 grant from the state opioid settlement fund; the agency described outreach plans for seniors, drug court participants and residents in recovery and announced a May fundraising event.
The Huron City Commission voted unanimously to provide a letter of support for Community Counseling Services’ application for a $35,000 grant from the state opioid settlement fund.
Community Counseling CEO Belinda Grama told the commission the agency is seeking the money to expand outreach, prevention and recovery supports across seven counties and that the organization already provides opioid treatment through contracts. "We are applying for $35,000 from the state of Illinois settlement fund," Grama said. She added, "since 2020, we've been providing opioid treatment as a contracted service through Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health, but also through HRMC. They provide the medication part of the assistance, and then we provide the therapy."
The agency described three target outreach populations: residents of its 23 supportive apartments, participants in the local drug court (it has two staff on the drug court team), and people and families enrolled in substance use disorder services. Grama said the program includes education, medication disposal packages and other prevention activities designed to reduce overdoses. "We also do outreach on a monthly basis educating because we know that education and early intervention works," she said.
Melissa Hofer, the agency's chief financial officer, said the grant funds would pay for items the center cannot typically afford, including advertising and marketing for outreach. "We couldn't do this. A lot of this without this grant," Hofer said.
Commission members moved and seconded a motion to provide the letter of support, and the commission approved the motion by roll call vote with every member voting "aye."
In addition to the grant request, Community Counseling staff announced a community fundraiser planned for May during Mental Health Awareness Month: a dodgeball tournament at the Expo Building at the fairgrounds. The event organizers said they are seeking sponsors, teams and community participation to raise funds for the agency's work.
The commission did not condition the letter of support; the motion was limited to authorizing the letter and signature for the grant application.
