At Item 9a the Black Hawk County Board voted to issue notices of intent to award opioid settlement funds for the period Jan. 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 to a set of applicants that include community recovery and workforce programs and jail-based treatment supports.

Warren Dean (presenting for an applicant) described outcomes from the Momentum program and related work: he said Momentum has graduated an average of about 21 people with opioid-use disorder (OUD) per year, cited cumulative earned wages for graduates of roughly $12.5 million and outlined a plan to expand capacity alongside a proposed Recovery Cafe as a low‑barrier community recovery hub. "We need to double our capacity," Dean said, describing demand and a waiting list of applicants.

Board members pressed on sustainability and co‑location of services; presenters said they had put an offer on a Waterloo property to co‑locate the Recovery Cafe and Momentum classes and expected acquisition steps to conclude after property inspections. Presenters described evidence and program guidance cited in their applications (including references to state funding guidance and program exhibits).

The sheriff’s office and Pathways staff described jail-based services: continuing medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) for inmates already on medication and a proposal to initiate Suboxone treatment upon intake for eligible detainees, which presenters said would reduce painful withdrawal, hasten stabilization and improve discharge planning. Jessica Ross (Pathways) said initiation would pair medication with peer support, discharge planning and community referrals. Presenters estimated up to about 30 people per month could be served under the initiation and continuation model and discussed staffing implications (a proposed nursing resource to support medication administration and monitoring during med passes).

County staff clarified the board was being asked to issue non‑binding notices of intent to award so applicants and county staff could work on contract drafting; final contracts and funding amounts must return to the board for approval. Supervisors moved and seconded the motion to issue intents to award and the motion carried by voice vote.

Board members and presenters noted reporting and performance benchmarks will be part of the contract and that the county expects applicants to meet deliverables for reimbursement.