Fulton County OKs $160,000 in opioid settlement funds to add a Certified Recovery Specialist

Fulton County commissioners voted unanimously on Dec. 16 to fund the addition of a Certified Recovery Specialist to the Fulton County Family Partnership Team using $160,000 from opioid settlement proceeds. The plan, submitted by Executive Development Director Julie Dovey, was approved after brief discussion.

The funding is intended to "Expand Certified Recovery Specialist Services by adding another CRS (Certified Recovery Specialist) to Fulton County Family Partnership Team," according to the plan the commissioners approved. Commissioner Hervey P. Hann moved to adopt the plan and the motion carried with all commissioners voting in favor.

County officials characterized the action as an expansion of recovery-support services rather than a new entitlement program; the motion approved the use of existing opioid settlement money rather than a new budget appropriation. The meeting record does not specify hiring timelines, salary costs for the new position, or the program's operating budget beyond the $160,000 allocation.

Julie Dovey presented the proposal to the board during the regular meeting; Commissioners Randy H. Bunch, Steven L. Wible and Hervey P. Hann were present and voted to approve the plan. The record shows no recorded public comment on the proposal at the meeting.

Next steps: the commissioners approved the plan; the transcript does not specify when hiring will begin or which department will administer recruitment. The board also did not record any motion to amend the sum or attach conditions beyond the program description.