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Home My WebLink AboutRES-2026-020-Resolution by the County of Orange, North Carolina to Direct the Expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds (SP-6) RES-2026-020 (Amending RES-2025-023 ); 84, 3/ 17/26 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 : 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 : $ 50 , 000 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 : 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 Program 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 10 d . Amounted authorized for this strategy : $ 66 ,423 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 : _ 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 . 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 : $J37 , 600 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 : _ 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 : JStrateav 6 d . Amounted authorized for this strategy : $ 20 , 000 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 : _ 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 $224 ,423 . 00 . 0t�'Originally adopted the 2 day of May , 2025 and amended on the 17Ih day of March, 2026 . J amilton, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners ATTEST : Laura Jensen, Ork to the Board COU 11 52 I I i i i t I 2 I f I i $i f i 7