Greer council approves opioid-settlement funds for family-strengthening program

The Greer City Council voted unanimously to approve a distribution of South Carolina opioid settlement funds to support a family-strengthening prevention program that city staff said will be delivered locally by Greenville Family Partnership (doing business as Just Say Something) in partnership with Greer Relief.

Katrina Woodruff, who presented the resolution, told the council the city has $558,000 allocated through the state’s guaranteed subfund and that the program proposal before the council is a technical proposal to receive part of those funds. Philip Clark, the presenter for the nonprofit, said: "This funding will help us provide programming in partnership with Greer Relief for families within Greer." He described the initiative as an 11-week program that meets weekly for families with children ages 7–17 and that the program will provide transportation, child care and incentives to reduce participation barriers.

Council members pressed for detail on scope and budget. Philip Clark and other presenters said the fidelity rules for the program mean it is labor-intensive: one cycle supports a maximum of 12 families and roughly 15 parents per cycle, and Clark acknowledged personnel costs figure prominently in the budget materials in the packet. One council member noted the packet shows about $40,000 for the project with roughly $28,000 earmarked for personnel; presenters confirmed those figures were in the proposal materials.

Derek Quarles, a program coordinator, framed the effort as a prevention strategy rather than a treatment program, saying the curriculum addresses family communication and parenting skills aimed at preventing substance use among young people. Councilmember discussion focused on program fidelity, how families will be recruited (presenters said Greer Relief will identify participants), where it will be held (Greer Relief), and how many Greer residents will be served in an 11-week cycle.

The council discussed alternatives and concerns about broad prevention strategies versus direct treatment. After the discussion the council voted by roll call in favor of the resolution (recorded as seven 'Yes' votes). The resolution was recorded as the first and final reading on the agenda as Resolution 20-2025.

The program proponents said they will evaluate outcomes for each cycle and that additional funding would be sought to expand capacity beyond the initial cycles. The council did not amend the proposal at the meeting; staff said they will continue to receive and review proposals from other organizations and that any funds not used within three years may roll to discretionary funds per state rules.