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Commissioner Brown - DHHS - Community Support Services - To Appropriate and Approve a Resolution to Direct the Expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds and Appropriate to Expand Certified Peer Support Specialists Embedded in the Gaston Emergency Medical Services’ Community Paramedicine Program for Post Overdose Response, Follow-up, and Treatment Support (Year 1: $6,396.00/Total Grant $52,328.64)
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STAFF CONTACT
Gregory Grier - Community Support Services - 704-862-6735
BUDGET IMPACT
budget
Year 1 (January 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024): $6,396.00
Year 2 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025): $26,164.32
Year 3 (July 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025): $19,768.32
No additional County funds.
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BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
Minimal impact to the budget ordinance.
BACKGROUND
The State of NC joined in the national litigation against pharmaceutical supply chain participants who engaged in the manufacture, marketing, promotion, distribution, or dispensing of opioid medications that has harmed the public. On June 8, 2021, the Board of Commissioners approved the Memorandum of Agreement Between the State of North Carolina and Local Governments on Proceeds Relating to the Settlement of Opioid Litigation (Res 2021-172) joining in the national litigation. Gaston County will receive a projected $43,000,000 in settlement funds to be received over a period of 18 years. To date, the County has received $4,250,134 in settlement funds. To date, $2,758,204.70 has been allocated by the Board of Commissioners.
Gaston County joined the State in the National Opioid Settlement. This Board Action and BCR appropriates $52,328.64 of our allotment for Recovery Support Services, specifically expanded hours for the certified peer support specialist services in Gaston Emergency Medical Services (GEMS), who has a contract with Olive Branch Ministry. Currently, GEMS deploys peer support specialists twenty-four hours a week. They respond to opioid-related calls with the on-duty community paramedic and can offer support to individuals in real-time. Additionally, they provide ongoing support to individuals who are enrolled in the medication-assisted treatment bridge program and follow up with individuals who refuse treatment and care following an overdose. Additional funds will allow peer support specialists to be deployed thirty-six hours a week. Increasing the hours will expand a program that’s proven effective and allow Gaston County to leverage other funds to provide the program. Expanded hours will increase effectiveness of existing initiatives and contribute to the overall well-being of individuals affected by opioid use disorders.
This Board Action, if approved, appropriates $52,328.64 in Opioid Settlement funds to GEMS for the purpose of expanding their current contract with Olive Branch Ministry to embed certified peer support specialists in their Community Paramedicine program.
Year 1 (January 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024): $6,396.00
Year 2 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025): $26,164.32
Year 3 (July 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025): $19,768.32
POLICY IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
Spending Authorization Resolution and Budget Change Request (BCR)