HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2025-023-Opioid Settlement Fund Spending Authorization Resolution and Approval of budget amendment 9-A RES - 2025 -023
A RESOLUTION BY THE COUNTY OF ORANGE , NORTH CAROLINA
TO DIRECT THE EXPENDITURE OF OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS
WHEREAS Orange County , North Carolina has joined national settlement agreements
with companies engaged in the manufacturing , distribution, and dispensing of opioids , including
settlements with drug distributors Cardinal , McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen, and the drug
maker Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals ;
WHEREAS the allocation, use, and reporting of funds stemming from these national
settlement agreements and certain bankruptcy resolutions (" Opioid Settlement Funds ") are
governed by the Memorandum of Agreement Between the State of North Carolina and Local
Governments on Proceeds Relating to the Settlement of Opioid Litigation ("MOA") ;
WHEREAS Orange County has received Opioid Settlement Funds pursuant to these
national settlement agreements and deposited the Opioid Settlement Funds in a separate special
revenue fund as required by section D of the MOA ;
WHEREAS section E . 6 of the MOA states :
E . 6 . Process for drawing from special revenue funds .
a . Budget item or resolution required . Opioid Settlement Funds can be used for a purpose
when the Governing Body includes in its budget or passes a separate resolution
authorizing the expenditure of a stated amount of Opioid Settlement Funds for that
purpose or those purposes during a specified period of time .
b . Budget item or resolution details . The budget or resolution should (i) indicate that it is an
authorization for expenditure of opioid settlement funds ; (ii) state the specific strategy or
strategies the county or municipality intends to fund pursuant to Option A or Option B ,
using the item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to identify each funded
strategy , and (iii) state the amount dedicated to each strategy for a stated period of time .
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , in alignment with the NC MOA, Orange County,
authorizes the expenditure of opioid settlement funds as follows :
1 . First strategy authorized
a. Name of strategy : _Evidence-based addiction treatment
b . Strategy is included in Exhibit Exhibit A (Exhibit A, Exhibit B )
c . Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA : _Exhibit A
Strategy 2
d . Amounted authorized for this strategy : $ $ 50 400
e . Period of time during which expenditure may take place :
Start date July 1 , 2025 through End date June 30 , 2026
f. Description of the program, project, or activity :
Piedmont Health Services , Inc . (PHS ) will use Orange Co . High Impact Opioid Abatement
Strategies funding in order to provide Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) services
at no cost to a total of 36 new patients in our two Orange County locations (Carrboro and
Chapel Hill) . As all MOUD recipients will have a diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder, they
will represent a population which faces many barriers to care , including cost of care ,
transportation, and stigma. Additionally , the majority of PHS patients represent low-income,
uninsured, unhoused, and other historically marginalized populations .
g . Provider : Piedmont Health Services
2 . Second strategy authorized
a. Name of strategy : JEarly Intervention
b . Strategy is included in Exhibit Exhibit A Exhibit A, Exhibit B )
c . Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA : Strategy 6
d . Amounted authorized for this strategy : $ 50 ,000
e . Period of time during which expenditure may take place :
Start date Jul 1 2025 through End date June 30 , 2026
f. Description of the program, project, or activity :
El Futuro respectfully requests support to implement its Orange County Latino Early
Intervention Program, expanding Community Mental Health Worker' s (CMHW)
capacity to prevent and address substance use disorder (SUD ) and co -occurring
mental health conditions among historically marginalized Latino individuals in
Orange County . Strengthening early intervention efforts, reducing stigma, and
strengthening community coordination will improve outcomes for Latino youth,
young adults , and their caregivers .
This initiative will train CMHWs in Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to
Treatment (SBIRT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to strengthen early
intervention efforts and expand access to culturally and linguistically appropriate
services .
g . Provider : El Futuro
3 . Third authorized strategy
a. Name of strategy : Criminal Justice Diversion Pro ram
b . Strategy is included in Exhibit Exhibit A (Exhibit A, Exhibit B)
c . Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA : Strateg 10
d. Amounted authorized for this strategy : $ 72 ,000
e . Period of time during which expenditure may take place :
Start date Jul 1 2025 through End date _June 30 , 2026
f. Description of the program, project, or activity . _
Freedom House connects with individuals screened in the Orange County Detention
Center who have a history of Opioid Use Disorder . The Peer Support Specialist
assists individuals with getting to treatment, court appearances, linkage to community
resources and other needs to curb recidivism. Funds would cover salary/benefits, cell
phone service, mileage and training for a Peer Support Specialist. There is also
indirect costs (office supplies & space, clinical supervision, financial oversight,
assessment software licensing, insurance) totaling $ 5 , 577 .
g . Provider : Freedom House
4 . Fourth authorized strategy
a. Name of strategy : Syringe Service Program (SSP)
b . Strategy is included in Exhibit Exhibit A (Exhibit A. Exhibit B)
c . Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA : Strategy 9
d . Amounted authorized for this strategy : $ 37 ,600
e . Period of time during which expenditure may take place :
Start date Jul 1 2025 through End date _June 30 , 2026
f. Description of the program, project, or activity .
UNC Student Health Action Coalition (SHAG) is a harm reduction-based
organization providing sterile injection supplies , fentanyl and xylazine test strips ; also
provides referrals to other social and health services for people who use drugs in
Orange County .
Seeking funds for Syringe Service Program (SSP) supplies, educational materials,
marketing, travel, and continued funding for paid Program Navigator position.
Desire to open a new SHAC SSP location to increase SSP access ; current distribution
occurs at Interfaith Council for Social Service and University Methodist Church;
Hillsborough Pharmacy assists with storage needs .
g . Provider : UNC SHAC
5 . Fifth authorized strategy
a. Name of strategy : Early Intervention
b . Strategy is included in Exhibit Exhibit A (Exhibit A, Exhibit B)
c . Item letter and/or number in Exhibit A or Exhibit B to the MOA : Strategy 6
d . Amounted authorized for this strategy : $ 20 000
e . Period of time during which expenditure may take place :
Start date Jul 1 2025 through End date June 30 , 2026
f. Description of the program, project, or activity , _
Seeking support for additional mentor trainers to work with youth and emerging
adults (ages 13 -20) navigating substance use, mental health challenges, and/or justice
involvement. Mentors serve as allies and peer support workers, and often have
personal experience with substance use, mental health challenges, and/or justice
involvement.
Mentors receive comprehensive training to recognize and nurture youth strengths,
utilizing Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Core Competencies (recovery-oriented, person-centered, voluntary, relationship-
focused, and trauma-informed practices), active listening skills , SMART goal setting ,
and motivational interviewing techniques . Recognizing the profound impact of
poverty and social identities on the youth we serve, RSN is committed to addressing
the root causes of inequity through culturally responsive and person- centered
services .
g . Provider : Reintegration Support Network (RSN)
The total dollar amount of Opioid Settlement Funds appropriated across the above named and
authorized strategies is $230 , 000 . 00 .
Adopted this the 20th day of May , 2025 .
Jame to Bed rd, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST :
LauW Jensen, Clerk 4ITe Board
COUNTY SEAL
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