Reno County approves $55,000 from opioid-settlement funds for Reno Connections

The Reno County Commission voted to approve a $55,000 award from local opioid-settlement funds to support Reno Connections, a program that provides a ‘‘warm handoff’’ and wraparound services for people with opioid-use disorder.

Phil Ochsner, a member of the county’s opioid settlements advisory oversight committee, told commissioners the committee received seven proposals and found two met statutory requirements; the committee recommended funding Reno Connections and asked the commission to authorize the distribution of $55,000 from the county’s settlement allocation.

The committee and health-department staff emphasized that the funds are distributed under a court settlement with pharmaceutical companies and are not general-tax revenue. ‘‘This is not taxpayer money,’’ Ochsner said, explaining the money comes from litigation settlements and must be spent in the statutorily permitted categories.

Candace Davidson, a health-department supervisor, said Reno Connections served ‘‘hundreds’’ of people annually and that the program focuses on helping clients secure housing, employment and identification documents needed to return to productive life. Davidson said the department will provide a recap of how prior awards were spent and that outcome reporting for this grant will be returned to the commission in December.

Commissioners discussed geographic reach and whether smaller communities outside Hutchinson are served. Staff said Reno Connections conducts outreach beyond Hutchinson and that the committee vetted proposals to prioritize local providers that align with statutory spending categories. A motion to approve the committee’s recommendation passed on a roll-call vote of the commissioners present.

The commission’s action directs staff to disburse the $55,000 award and requires recipients to report back on expenditures and program outcomes, per state attorney-general reporting requirements tied to opioid-settlement distributions.