Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Substance Misuse Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chairman Baird: county-funded school speaker program reaches students, plans expansion for next year
Summary
Saratoga County Health and Human Services Committee Chair Baird updated the committee on a school speaker program addressing addiction that uses opioid settlement funds, reporting strong student response, 18 sessions tentatively scheduled for next year, and low evening parent attendance. The program is free to participating schools.
Saratoga County Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Baird on Tuesday described a school-based speaker program funded with opioid settlement money that the committee says has drawn packed student audiences and prompted plans to schedule at least 18 sessions for the coming school year.
Baird told the committee the program began after conversations with families affected by addiction, who identified bringing speakers into schools as a top priority. "The response continues to be overwhelming," Baird said, describing large assemblies, a short introductory video and personal testimony followed by breakout discussions.
The chairman said the county has expanded the program across the county and used funds from opioid settlements to support speakers and partner resources for families and individuals dealing with addiction. He identified repeat presenters including Chris Herron and Steven Hill as part of the initiative and said the presenter also conducts smaller group breakouts and one-on-one follow-ups with students who reach out.
Committee members and attendees praised the sessions and recounted emotional reactions from students. A member recalled a past appearance by Chris Herron and described the Mechanics Field Auditorium sessions as nearly full. Baird said some schools are considering or have made attendance at an evening presentation mandatory for parents of student athletes to boost participation; he and others noted evening parent sessions have tended to be lightly attended in several areas.
On logistics, a member asked how schools sign up for sessions; Baird replied that the presenter or organizer "contacts them" and that the proposed schedule is included in the meeting packet. He said exact dates were not finalized and asked supervisors to wait for final approval before publicizing specifics. "It is free to the school," Baird said, asking districts only to allocate time for the initial presentation, the breakout sessions and any evening program.
The committee approved the meeting minutes from May 5 by voice vote and then moved to adjourn. The committee did not take any formal votes on program funding or policy at Tuesday's meeting; staff will circulate finalized session dates and additional scheduling details when they are available.
Note: direct quotes and attributions are taken from the meeting transcript. The transcript identifies presenters by the names Chris Herron and Steven (Stephen) Hill; the committee referenced funding from opioid settlements rather than a specific statute or ordinance.
