Kalamazoo County Government - October 2, 2024 Opioid Settlement Task Force

Updated about 8 hours ago

The Opioid Settlement Fund Task Force convened on October 2, 2024, to deliberate on strategies for allocating opioid settlement funds. The meeting included discussions on budget scenarios, potential investment strategies, and the importance of aligning priorities with community needs. Task force members highlighted the necessity of housing solutions, treatment access, and harm reduction as key areas of focus. The complexity of administering quarterly grant cycles is addressed, with a consensus forming around simplifying the process to ensure effective fund use. The task force also considers the benefits of trust-based philanthropy and the potential role of the Kalamazoo County Opioid Coalition in ongoing advisory capacity. Updates on the mini-grant application process with the Kalamazoo Community Foundation are provided. The meeting underscored the task force's commitment to addressing the opioid crisis through strategic funding and community collaboration.

Chapters

Welcome and Opening Remarks (00:00:00)
The meeting begins with a welcome and opening remarks from the chair, setting the stage for the day's agenda.

The chairperson welcomes all attendees to the meeting, providing an overview of the agenda and the key topics to be discussed. The importance of today's discussions and the objectives for the meeting are outlined.
Call to Order (00:00:04)
The meeting was called to order for the Opioid Settlement Fund Task Force.

The chair opened the meeting, noting that it was still morning and convened the session for the Opioid Settlement Fund Task Force.
Roll Call (00:00:19)
Roll call was conducted to establish the presence of task force members.

The clerk conducted the roll call, confirming the presence of various members including Vice Chair Pro Tem Heppler, Commissioner Morales, Director Rutherford, and others.
Welcome and Introductions (00:01:57)
Director Darnell was welcomed and introduced to the task force.

Director Darnell, the new director of DEI for Kalamazoo County, was introduced and welcomed to the task force meeting. Director Darnell shared a brief introduction about their background and expressed eagerness to contribute to the task force's work.
Reports and Updates (00:03:00)
Reports and updates were provided by various members of the task force.

Administrator Green and others provided updates related to the task force activities. This included a discussion on the budget, investment strategies, and the alignment of funding with community needs.
Approval of Minutes (00:03:05)
The minutes from the prior meeting were reviewed and approved.

The task force reviewed and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. A motion to approve was made by Sheriff Fuller and supported by Director Bobo. The motion carried with no objections.
Public Comment (00:03:54)
Opportunity for public comment was provided but no comments were made.

The floor was opened for public comments, allowing members of the public to address the task force on any topic. No public comments were made either in person or online.
Discussion on Funding Recommendations (00:04:25)
A discussion on funding recommendations and budget scenarios was held.

The task force began a discussion about funding recommendations, reviewing budget scenario one and crosswalking it with the opioid remediation exhibit E. The discussion included details about budget stability, investment strategies, and potential funding allocations.
Discussion on Harm Reduction and Treatment (00:36:12)
The board discusses harm reduction and treatment for a cohort in the community, emphasizing recovery and prevention strategies.

The board discusses the current state of harm reduction and treatment for a specific cohort in the community. There is an emphasis on moving from harm reduction to recovery strategies as the cohort ages, and then focusing on prevention as a long-term strategy. The board is advised to consider these strategies for the task force.
Homelessness and Housing Initiatives (00:37:01)
Discussion on using housing millage funds and opioid dollars for recovery housing solutions.

The board discusses the possibility of using housing millage funds in conjunction with opioid settlement dollars to establish recovery housing solutions. The idea is to partner with a land bank to find suitable properties for recovery houses, potentially providing a four-bedroom apartment setting for individuals in recovery.
Evidence-Based Treatments and Funding Allocation (00:38:20)
Consideration of Dr. Nettleton's percentage allocation proposal for evidence-based treatment funding.

The discussion revolves around the percentage allocation for evidence-based treatment funding, as proposed by Dr. Nettleton. The focus is on ensuring that the funding is used for effective treatments, including medical medications and harm reduction programs. The need for integration of treatment with supportive housing and continuous care is emphasized.
Support for Individuals in Recovery Housing (00:39:49)
Proposal to establish a support system for individuals transitioning to recovery housing.

The board discusses the importance of establishing a support system for individuals transitioning to recovery housing. This includes creating a plan for when individuals are released from treatment to when they are settled in recovery housing, ensuring they have the necessary support to become stable and self-sufficient.
Coalition and Community Feedback (00:41:13)
Feedback on the coalition's role and community input in addressing recovery needs.

The board receives feedback on the importance of community coalitions in addressing recovery needs. The role of these coalitions in providing continuous input and adapting to changing community needs is highlighted. The need for flexibility in addressing emerging issues is discussed.
Public Comment and Task Force Updates (00:55:48)
Public comments on task force activities and grant cycle discussions.

During the public comment section, various task force members and community participants provide input on the activities of the task force. Discussions include the need for ongoing feedback and the importance of not leaving decision-makers in the dark. The structure of the grant cycle is also addressed.
Grant Cycle and Funding Process (00:57:01)
Overview of the proposed grant cycle for mini and large grants and its complexities.

An overview of the proposed grant cycle for mini and large grants is presented, highlighting its complexities. The timeline for grant applications, reviewing, and approval processes is discussed. The need for a simpler, more efficient process is suggested to ensure resources are not excessively diverted from their intended purposes.
Discussion on Grant Management and Administrative Burden (01:09:03)
Discussion focuses on the complexities of grant management and the administrative burden involved, advocating for simpler processes.

Participants discuss the challenges of managing grants, particularly for smaller nonprofits. The conversation highlights the need for low-barrier funding opportunities and reducing the complexity of grant application and reporting processes to make them more accessible. Trust-based philanthropy is mentioned as a potential approach to simplify reporting.
Trust-Based Philanthropy (01:12:00)
Discussion on trust-based philanthropy as an approach to simplify grant processes and make funding more equitable and accessible.

The meeting covers the concept of trust-based philanthropy, emphasizing its potential to reduce administrative burdens and make funding more equitable for small nonprofits. The discussion includes insights into how this approach could be integrated into existing grant processes and the benefits it could offer in terms of accessibility and reduced complexity.
Grant Cycle Recommendations (01:13:01)
Recommendations for varying grant cycles, including one to three year options, to better support nonprofit initiatives.

Participants propose different grant cycle lengths, such as one to three year funding options, to provide flexibility for nonprofits launching new initiatives. The aim is to allow organizations to choose the cycle that best fits their needs while ensuring adequate time for project implementation and impact assessment.
Data and Reporting in Grant Management (01:17:07)
Exploration of the role of data and reporting in grant management, balancing impact measurement with accessibility.

The discussion centers on the importance of data and reporting in evaluating grant success. While data-driven approaches are valued for measuring impact, there's a push for balancing this with accessibility, especially for small nonprofits. The idea is to develop a reporting system that captures essential outcomes without overburdening grantees.
Administrative Updates and Closing Remarks (01:23:03)
Administrative updates on the grant process are provided, followed by closing remarks and adjournment of the meeting.

The deputy administrator provides updates on the grant application process, including timelines and committee selections. The meeting concludes with closing remarks, summarizing the key discussions and next steps. Attendees are thanked for their participation, and the meeting is adjourned.