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Council approves opioid‑settlement grants to support Newport–Middletown Situation Table
Summary
Council approved a $40,000 special projects grant to the Newport Prevention Coalition and authorized applying for a $200,000 municipal incentive grant to support the Newport–Middletown Situation Table, a weekly cross‑sector team coordinating outreach to high‑risk individuals.
The grants office recommended, and the council approved, a $40,000 special projects grant to the Newport Prevention Coalition (funding drawn from FY26 opioid settlement funds) and unanimously authorized submission of a $200,000 municipal‑incentive grant application to support the Newport–Middletown Situation Table. Deputy Chief Mike Ferrer, one of the table’s team leads, described the weekly multi‑agency meeting that builds outreach teams to follow up on individuals in crisis and provide coordinated help rather than siloed emergency responses.
Carmela Gear, executive director of Edward King House Senior Center, praised the table and said the program allows coordinated interventions—such as short‑term hotel support and participant follow‑up—to avoid repeated emergency calls. Councilors commended the model (launched January 2025) and noted the table has already tracked dozens of situations; the grant will formalize and expand operations for at least a year.
