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Orange County EPIC urges part-time opioid coordinator, outlines $1.5M direct-share through 2039
Summary
EPIC recommended a grant-funded part-time opioid/substance-use coordinator for Orange County and prioritized short- and long-term strategies for using opioid abatement settlement funds; presenters said the county’s direct share is projected at just under $1.5 million through 2039, with about $465,000 received so far.
EPIC, Orange County’s Epidemic Intelligence Council, asked the Board of Supervisors to prioritize hiring a part-time, grant-funded opioid or substance-use coordinator to manage local opioid-abatement dollars and improve program coordination.
“A priority strategy that we'd like for you all to consider tonight though would be to establish an opioid or substance use coordinator position for Orange County,” Ashley said, noting the role would be grant-funded and aimed at improving communication among community partners and managing the county’s settlement money. EPIC said the coordinator’s anticipated cost would be about $33,000 a year and that the position would be funded from county-specific OAA (Opioid Abatement Authority) noncompetitive distributions if awarded.
EPIC explained the settlement-distribution framework established by the state OAA: a direct share for each locality, a gold-standard incentive for jurisdictions that follow evidence-based practices, and additional noncompetitive and competitive regional grant rounds. According to EPIC, Orange County’s direct share is projected at just under $1.5 million through 2039 and the county has received roughly $465,000 to date. EPIC representatives said they have not yet received gold-standard incentive payments because jurisdictions must spend and report on direct-share funds before applying for the bump.
The group presented a gap-and-needs assessment identifying assets (local naloxone availability, peer recovery supports, community paramedicine, prevention programming) and gaps (limited treatment options inside county limits, lack of a drop-in/receiving center, limited MAT access, lack of a homeless shelter, and transportation barriers). EPIC listed near-term actions for a coordinator: surveying residents on spending priorities, enhancing the mobile overdose outreach team in collaboration with EMS and the sheriff, improving access to reliable transportation for clients, and implementing trauma-informed training for school staff and first responders.
Board members expressed support for the coordinator recommendation. The chair characterized the board's reaction as consensus to accept EPIC’s recommended priorities and thanked the presenters for their work. EPIC representatives said more detailed budget and implementation planning would follow if the board directs staff to pursue the recommended strategy.
What’s next: staff will return to the board with details and any grant applications required to secure the Orange County noncompetitive OAA funds needed to hire and sustain the coordinator position.
