Commissioners allocate opioid-settlement funds to keep community navigator and crisis-response K9 running

The Saginaw County Commissioners voted to allocate opioid-settlement funds to continue two county projects: $117,826 for the county community navigator and $18,175 for a crisis response K9 program (CHAOS). Administration said these two county projects needed pre-budget approval because they align to the county fiscal year; commissioners discussed alignment with other non-county projects and agreed to make county projects fit the fiscal cycle.

Melissa Vocosado of the Board of Health summarized first-year evaluation metrics and process: the community navigator assisted 197 unique people across 254 total encounters and supported 142 households; the guidance for spending came from the state attorney general’s office and MAS (Maine Opioid Settlement Support) provided evaluation assistance. Vocosado said the CHAOS crisis-response dog had been deployed widely: she reported the canine reached people at events and spent 351 hours on deployment with attendance at 86 events.

Board members asked about funding sources and sustainability; administration reported roughly $458,000 in settlement funds available and clarified that the CHAOS stipend covers handler time and food, and that Thompson PD covered ongoing expenses after initial purchase. Commissioners debated aligning county projects to the fiscal year, possible 18-month transitions for calendar-year projects, and the risk of committing excessive funds if settlement receipts decline over time.

After extended discussion about budgets and cycles, a motion to approve the two county allocations carried by voice vote. Administration and the Board of Health will return with application timelines and alignment proposals for the larger grant cycle.