Vernon County opioid committee invites grant applicants to present, declines one request and extends grant timeline

At its May 13 meeting, the Vernon County Opioid Prevention and Steering Committee voted to invite the authors of two grant applications to present details at a future meeting and declined a separate request from the Amara Rose Foundation.

The meeting, chaired by Martha Olson, also approved an administrative request to extend the committee’s grant period through the end of calendar year 2025. Cassandra Hanan, Vernon County administrative coordinator, told members the committee’s opioid settlement fund balance is $424,392.18, with $78,000 already obligated; she also said the group has spent $8,500 of awarded grant money to date.

Why it matters: The committee distributes opioid-settlement funds for prevention and recovery programming in Vernon County. Invitations for applicants to present give the committee an opportunity to vet program details, budgets and staffing before authorizing awards.

What the committee did on grants

• Smore Services: Committee members raised concerns that the applicant had previously been associated with a different employer that had received a grant. Cassandra Hanan clarified the applicant no longer works for that other employer and reported that "$18,000 has been granted to date." Committee member Henry moved to invite the Smore Services applicant to the next meeting to present; Dr. Duane Koons seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

• Amara Rose Foundation: Members questioned whether the foundation’s budget and staffing plan showed excessive administrative or volunteer-time reliance. Grants Manager Amy Oliver said the applicant was "maxed out" on volunteer time and that a budget section had not been completed on the application. Dr. Koons moved to decline the proposal; Kristina Reser-Jaynes seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Members encouraged the applicant to reapply with a completed budget and clearer staffing plan.

• Administrative extension: The committee approved a motion (moved by Steve Micheals, seconded by Henry) to extend the grant period through Dec. 31, 2025.

Actions recorded

- Motion: Invite Smore Services applicant to present. Mover: Henry. Second: Dr. Duane Koons. Outcome: approved unanimously. - Motion: Decline Amara Rose Foundation application. Mover: Dr. Duane Koons. Second: Kristina Reser-Jaynes. Outcome: approved unanimously. - Motion: Extend grant activity through Dec. 31, 2025. Mover: Steve Micheals. Second: Henry. Outcome: approved unanimously.

Clarifying details and open items

Committee members noted incomplete budget information on at least one application and requested applicants bring full budgets and clearer breakdowns of administrative versus program expenses. Hanan provided current spending figures: $8,500 spent to date and $18,000 granted to date for existing awards. The committee did not approve any new awards at this meeting; it scheduled applicant presentations so members can review program details before making award decisions.

Next steps

Applicants invited to present will appear at a future committee meeting, at which members will review full budgets and staffing plans. The committee also listed opioid death data and a proposed panel (including Officer Roesler and Smore Services) on its next meeting agenda.

Ending: The committee adjourned at 3:26 p.m.