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Blue Water Recovery seeks roughly $273K in opioid-settlement support for transportation and gap staffing
Summary
Blue Water Recovery and Outreach Center asked county commissioners for roughly $273,000 in opioid-settlement funds for two components — transportation and gap staffing — and requested the county draft a service agreement and return to committee in July for consideration; county staff recommended a service agreement and further vetting through normal processes.
Blue Water Recovery and Outreach Center (BW Rock) presented to St. Clair County commissioners seeking opioid-settlement dollars to sustain transportation services and cover a legislative funding gap for staff through the end of the calendar year.
Patrick Patterson, BW Rock's executive director, said his organization is nationally accredited and provides peer-support recovery services, transportation and recovery coaching across St. Clair County. Patterson said BW Rock recorded 927 community referrals last year, runs more than 1,000 support groups annually, and is the sole provider in the county offering some transportation services that allow people to access court dates, meetings and therapy in rural areas.
Patterson asked the committee to consider two funding components: component A to continue transportation, and component B to cover a staffing gap created by non-12-month state grants. He said a transportation grant currently ends Sept. 30 and is not being renewed and that BW Rock does not receive Medicaid reimbursements, limiting other revenue options.
There was some confusion over the dollar figure in the room and on slides. County staff and presenters read slightly different numbers aloud: the amount cited in discussion and materials was stated as approximately $273,410 in one exchange and $273,010 in another. Patterson confirmed the packet contains the total request and asked that the county review the proposal; staff said the request aligns with allowable uses in Exhibit E of the opioid-settlement terms and suggested drafting a service agreement to define scope and reimbursement rates.
County staff (addressed in discussion as 'Tom') and commissioners discussed process and the past role of the opioid-settlement advisory committee in screening requests. Staff and commissioners said the advisory committee had historically been used but that the board could bring proposals directly to committee. Staff offered to draft a service agreement and bring it back for the July committee meeting with reimbursement rates and a proposed scope of work. Commissioners requested a business plan, sustainability details, and clearer budgeting to inform a decision.
Next steps: Staff will draft a service agreement and return to committee, with a likely July timeline to meet an October 1 effective date for transportation services if approved.
