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Board authorizes opioid‑abatement grant submissions for Grace House expansion and community paramedicine program
Summary
Franklin County authorized staff to submit two opioid‑abatement applications by Dec. 4: an amended $250,000 request for Piedmont Community Services’ Grace House purchase and a $175,000 request to launch a community paramedicine position and program; acceptance of awards remains subject to OAA approval.
The Franklin County Board of Supervisors authorized county staff to submit two opioid‑abatement applications, including an amended request to expand the Grace House recovery residence and a new application to revive a community paramedicine program.
County finance director Brian Carter said the fiscal‑year 2026 application window closes Dec. 4 and estimated approximately $1 million would be available statewide for projects next year. Piedmont Community Services asked the county to increase its previously approved $155,000 request to $250,000 to purchase a different house that would provide three recovery rooms instead of renovating the existing house to add two rooms. "They only have about five available now, so [three more] would go a long way," Carter said.
Carter said staff support the amendment, which would change the application's metrics to increase capacity and could be more cost effective than the higher engineer’s estimate for renovating the current property.
The board also authorized submission of a $175,000 application to restore the county's Community Paramedicine Program, which was discontinued after a state VDH grant was reduced. Carter said the county would seek funding for training, equipment and a portion of a paramedic/firefighter‑level position. "We're certainly going to apply for 100% of training and materials and equipment," he said, adding the county might need to cover up to half of the $100,000‑per‑year salary and benefit estimate if OAA does not fund the full position.
Board members pressed staff on procurement and oversight. Ms. Smith asked whether an RFP had been completed; Carter said an RFP had been issued for the original renovation scope but not for purchasing a property and that Piedmont would purchase the property and provide documentation for county reimbursement. "If there were renovations, costs of that nature, ... an RFP would be required," Carter said.
The motion authorizing submission was moved by Supervisor Tatum and seconded by Supervisor Jamieson. The board voted to authorize staff to submit the two applications and to return to the board to accept any awards and discuss required local match or conditions once OAA issues decisions.
What happens next: Staff will submit the Dec. 4 application packet and return with award terms after the OAA grants committee meets in January. The board directed staff to include these projects in a broader three‑year plan for opioid settlement funding beginning July 1, 2027, to address sustainability and sequencing of one‑time funds.
