Vernon County opioid committee approves McIntosh Memorial Library grant extension, reviews settlement spending

The Vernon County Opioid Prevention and Steering Committee unanimously approved on Nov. 12 an extension of McIntosh Memorial Library’s opioid grant through June 15, 2026, after hearing progress updates from multiple grant recipients and reviewing the county’s settlement fund balance.

Committee Chair Martha Olson convened the meeting in the Vernon County Board Room with remote attendance available via Teams. April Anderson, the library’s new project manager, said materials purchased under the grant are being used and checked out, that the library has set up a community resource station for project information and that it currently houses four OAK community first-aid kits. Anderson told the committee that lining up outside presenters has taken longer than expected, prompting the extension request.

Amy Kleiber, Vernon County health officer, summarized the grant portfolio: $184,000 has been awarded to seven projects to date, $80,050.08 has been spent so far, and five projects remain active. She reported the Vernon County Health Department distributed 54 boxes this year and has been reimbursed $13,892.76; Kleiber suggested shifting future procurements from a reimbursement model to a grant purchase model. The committee also heard that Smores Services received a large shipment of Narcan and that distribution has taken longer than planned, with the organization reporting by email that it will shift toward mobile outreach as the project continues.

Committee members discussed Next Steps for Change, which has received $15,165.51 to date and is accepting referrals; Emma Bader noted overlap between recovery-court activities and some project functions. Dr. Steve Micheals said Westby Schools completed program work in Viroqua and will expand to Kickapoo, and Kleiber reported Knutson Library and the Amara Rose Foundation met their objectives. Cassandra Hanan reported that LaFarge Methodist withdrew its application.

On the McIntosh extension, Kleiber said the project had expended $3,227.63 of its $25,000 award. Dr. Duane Koons moved to approve the extension and Kristina Reser-Jaynes seconded; the motion carried with all members voting in favor.

During member sharing, Dr. Martha Karlstad announced two new addiction-trained therapists joining local services. Board Supervisor Mary Henry asked why Vernon County Health had not applied for some funding; Karlstad replied the county had considered applications but staff judged many proposals would not meet the grant objectives. Committee discussion weighed whether grant funds could support part-time provider compensation or whether funding training and space were more appropriate uses of limited funds. Cassandra Hanan said annual settlement distributions vary but estimated the typical annual amount would be roughly $30,000 and therefore unlikely to support a full-time position alone.

Hanan also reported the opioid settlement fund balance stood at $364,894.02, unchanged from the previous month. The committee set its next meeting for Jan. 14, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. in the Vernon Sheriff’s Training Room with Teams attendance available. The meeting adjourned at 3:03 p.m.

Actions at the meeting included unanimous approvals to (1) adopt the October 2025 minutes, (2) grant McIntosh Memorial Library an extension through June 15, 2026, and (3) adjourn at 3:03 p.m. Committee staff plan a year-end press release about awarded projects.