Pulaski County to advertise $12,000 opioid-settlement appropriation for youth Recovery Cafe pilot

Pulaski County officials on Monday voted to advertise an additional appropriation of $12,000 from opioid settlement funds to help launch a youth-focused Recovery Cafe program aimed at people ages 12 to 17.

Presenter (S6), speaking for the community foundation and partners who developed a county plan, said the Recovery Cafe has operated for adults and is proposing a separate youth engagement center to offer academic tutoring, workforce readiness, evidence‑based prevention programming and supervised social activities during evenings, weekends and school breaks. The presenter identified Jen Schafer as serving as interim director of the cafe.

"These are the experts in what is needed and what can be effective," Presenter (S6) said, describing a community action plan assembled with local schools, law enforcement, the judicial system, hospitals and families affected by substance misuse. The presenter asked for $12,000 in startup funding to cover roughly 12 months of rent, utilities and internet connectivity.

Committee member (S3) raised a contingency concern: "If the grants do not come through and we lock the money into a building we can't staff, what would happen to the $12,000?" Presenter (S8), who described organizing and grant-seeking work for the cafe, said the group is pursuing multiple grants and expects a mix of volunteer and part‑time staff, and that the program is planning for a small startup model with partner support.

Council members and commissioners pressed for fiscal safeguards. Committee member (S4) noted there is currently about $205,000 in restricted funds and roughly $49,000 unrestricted in the opioid fund account; commissioners discussed allocating the money in increments and revisiting the program. The body agreed to advertise the full $12,000 appropriation but to initially allocate only $6,000 and revisit the remainder after a six‑month progress report.

Speaker 1 (S1) moved to advertise the additional appropriation; Speaker 2 (S2) seconded. The council and commissioners approved the motion by voice vote. Commissioners also made a separate, pending‑council approval motion to allow the additional money to support the youth‑focused program; that motion passed on a voice vote, and presenters said a six‑month progress report will be brought back to the group.

The council recorded no roll‑call vote in the transcript; outcomes are recorded as voice votes in favor. The presenter said she and partners will continue pursuing grant funding and oversight arrangements, and will return with a report in six months.