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Marion County accepts $495,965 in OHA carryover funds and approves $849,135 PRIME+ IGA for peer recovery services
Summary
The board authorized an OHA contract amendment adding $495,964.99 for public‑health programs including community‑based organization mini‑grants, and approved a $849,135 three‑year IGA to continue PRIME+ peer recovery services in medical settings across Marion County.
The Marion County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 26 approved two incoming‑funds agreements with the Oregon Health Authority totaling about $1.345 million to support public‑health services and a peer recovery program.
Staff presented Amendment #16 to the county’s OHA public‑health contract, adding $495,964.99 made up of $199,000 in carryover Tobacco Prevention and Education Program funds and $297,550 for a Community‑Based Organization (CBO) mini‑grant pool targeted at equity and resilience projects. Staff said the county will run an RFP or grant application process; eligible awards will range from $500 to $25,000 to build capacity for preparedness and resiliency around events such as extreme heat and wildfire smoke.
The board also approved a three‑year incoming funds Intergovernmental Agreement with OHA for $849,135 to support the PRIME+ program (Peer Recovery Initiated in Medical Establishments + Infectious Disease Testing and Linkage to Care), retroactive to Sept. 30, 2024. Presenters Carol Heard, Jason Wilburn and Sean Bossen said PRIME+ teams provide around‑the‑clock overdose response in partnership with Salem Health and Santiam Hospital and Clinics, connect individuals to recovery and treatment resources and help with practical needs such as transportation, housing and benefits enrollment. Wilburn said PRIME+ is staffed by 58 people across 24 Oregon counties and connects to 19 partner organizations; nine certified recovery mentors (three bilingual) operate as part of the model.
Program figures cited for 2024 included PRIME+ responding to 118 overdose calls at Salem Health and Santiam Hospital and Clinics, approximately 362 community members trained in Narcan, about 230 county staff trained, and an estimated 580 Narcan units distributed. Staff said clients do not need Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance to receive services and must verbally consent to engage.
Both actions passed on unanimous voice votes. The board heard no public opposition during the meeting.
Next steps: staff will post the CBO mini‑grant opportunity, execute the OHA IGAs and continue implementation of PRIME+ services in Marion County.
