Council approves opioid‑settlement funds for family‑strengthening program at Greer Relief
Loading...
Summary
Council voted to authorize distribution of opioid settlement dollars to Greenville Family Partnership (Just Say Something) to run an 11‑week Strengthening Families program in Greer, with staff and partners saying the program emphasizes prevention and removes participation barriers.
The Greer City Council approved a resolution to allocate opioid settlement funds for a family‑strengthening program to be delivered locally through a partnership between Greenville Family Partnership (doing business as Just Say Something) and Greer Relief.
Katrina Woodruff, presenting the item, told council that the city of Greer is slated to receive $2.5 million over an 18‑year period under the state opioid settlement distribution; to date the city has received $958,000, and $558,000 is currently allocated through the guaranteed political subdivision fund. Council’s packet included a technical proposal from Just Say Something for their Strengthening Families program.
Philip Clark, the CEO of Greenville Family Partnership (93 Forest Lake Drive, Simpsonville), described the program as an 11‑week, evidence‑based curriculum for families with children aged 7–17. Clark said the program removes barriers by providing transportation, child care and incentives and that each cycle requires trained staff: a site coordinator, minimum two child caregivers, and multiple group leaders/coaches. He said an individual cycle can accommodate up to 12 families (roughly 15 parents) and that results from other sites show improvements in family communication, reductions in youth anxiety and depression measures, and increased parental efficacy.
Council members asked about the program’s opioid‑specific focus. Clark and partners said the program is a prevention strategy: it targets family functioning and youth risk factors that research links to later substance misuse. Carol Robertson of Greer Relief said Greer Relief will refer families and host sessions at its facility; Derek Quarles (community engagement) and Mallory Mitchell (Hispanic services) joined the discussion to describe outreach and program fidelity.
Council received the proposal, discussed program capacity and evaluation plans, and voted by roll call to approve Resolution 20‑2025, authorizing distribution of the city’s allocated opioid settlement funds to support the Strengthening Families program in Greer. The resolution cites compliance with the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Act (South Carolina Code 11‑58‑10). Councilmembers said the program is one component of a broader prevention and support network and asked staff to track outcomes and report back.
