Title
Presentation and Possible Action on the Opioid Settlement Funds Use Plan
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve the Opioid Settlement Funds Allocation of Uses Plan described in Attachment A as recommended by staff.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the recommended uses by general category described in Attachment A as recommended by staff.
Body
The County has received $761,000 to date in funds from the various Opioid Settlement funds from the State of New Mexico. Additional funds may be received in the future. There is not currently any date by which these funds need to be encumbered or expended; there are not currently any reporting requirements in place from the State of New Mexico.
The County has the ability to spend the award on a broad range of categories including programs and services that promote, create, support, and/or expand prevention efforts; treatment services; and recovery programs. Funding may also be used to support County staff’s professional development needs in order to better serve individuals impacted by opioid use disorders. All of the allowable uses for these funds are detailed in the New Mexico Opioid Allocation Agreement.
Over the past year, County Social Services staff have held internal meetings, as well as with external partners, to discuss potential projects and uses, and to assess the feasibility of the broad range of eligible uses and recommends that in order to maximize the benefit of uses of the funds to assist the community, Council adopt the proposed allocation of uses plan. This plan allocates the division of funds between prevention, treatment, and recovery programs, as well as staff professional development.
Due to the ongoing and potentially long-term nature to utilize these funds, as well as the possibility that additional funds may become available in the future, staff will come back to Council to further identify eligible programs; continue to seek com...
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