Monroe City reviews opioid settlement grant awards, Q3 reports show targeted prevention and recovery funding
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Summary
City staff told the council the city had $256,000 available in 2024, funded roughly $102,180 across five local programs and received six proposals for the next round; staff stressed funds must be used for evidence‑based opioid remediation and are reimbursement based.
Assistant City Manager Mark Cochran told council the city has been allocating accumulated opioid settlement funds through competitive RFPs and quarterly reporting. "Last year in 2024, we had $256,000 available," Cochran said, and the city recommended funding five of six applicants, distributing about $102,180.
Why it matters: settlement agreements limit permissible spending to opioid remediation—prevention, harm reduction, treatment and related services—and many settlements require evidence‑based strategies and quarterly reports. Cochran noted Exhibit E from the Attorney General provides a list of allowable uses and that the city cannot use settlement funds for attorney fees or litigation costs.
What was presented: Cochran summarized national settlement streams dating to 2021 and explained the city’s RFP process (first RFP issued 09/13/2024; a second round followed). He said proposals were scored on eligibility, population served (including Monroe residents), supporting data, timeline, scope, evidence base and budget narrative. The city used an internal administrative scoring committee and emphasized stewardship and sustainability when awarding one‑time funds.
Which programs received funding: Cochran reviewed Q3 reports from grantees and the principal awards the city made in the most recent funding cycle: • MCOP — $20,000 for 'Keeping It Real' youth curriculum and mentoring at the Opportunity Center. • Monroe High and Monroe Middle — $40,000 for Project Success, a suspension‑alternative program addressing youth vaping and related prevention activities (Cochran said the schools reported a decline in vape detections tied to the program). • Salus Center for Hope — $7,200 for postpartum support and a lifeline independent‑living program (targeted to six individuals). • Recovery Advocacy Warriors (RAW) — about $17,700 for CCAR 'train the trainer' peer‑support certification to increase locally available peer specialists. • Paula’s House — $17,000 for prevention services and education for children of residents served by that program.
Council questions and staff responses: Councilmembers asked about measurement and overlap with other funding sources. Cochran said many grantees receive additional funding (for example, MCOP received community center funding through CMHPSM and some school programs were previously supported with ARPA funds). He acknowledged prevention is harder to measure than direct treatment outcomes but pointed to survey instruments and measurable indicators (e.g., reductions in vape detections at schools, number trained through RAW) as evaluative tools. Cochran emphasized the awards are intended to supplement existing programs rather than create unsustainable new services.
Next steps: Cochran said the city issued a new RFP in October for the next year (proposals due Nov. 28) and received six proposals totaling about $186,800; staff will score applications and bring recommendations to council at the next meeting. He noted annual allocations are expected to be smaller going forward (about $40,000 annually based on settlements joined so far), although Monroe’s participation in the Purdue settlement will increase future annual allocations once the state finalizes distribution by formula.
Cochran concluded, "we're gonna be reviewing the applications in the coming weeks to make a recommendation to city council at your next meeting."
