DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contracts Using Opioid Settlement Funds
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of contracts using opioid settlement funds.
SUMMARY
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of, a community health board under Minn. Stat. ch. 145A, and is required to govern and administer those functions as fully as other Dakota County functions, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents.
Minnesota was part of a multi-state 46.6-billion-dollar lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors. Dakota County is expected to receive $9,127,527.20 in the first settlement and $7,429,374.49 in the second settlement over a 19-year period.
By Resolution No. 23-277 (June 13, 2023), the Dakota Board of Commissioners authorized the formation of the Opioid Response Advisory Committee (ORAC) to assist in distributing part of the Opioid Settlement Funds. This committee includes 21 members, including 7 appointed members with lived experience, 4 members from local government, 4 members representing Dakota County Staff, 3 members from the healthcare field, and 3 members from community organizations. On May 7, 2024, a subcommittee was formed to assist with the writing and scoring of the Dakota County Opioid Epidemic Response Services Project Request For Proposal (RFP). This subcommittee includes 1 member from healthcare, 2 members with lived experience, 2 members from community partners and 1 member from local government.
On August 22, 2024, the Dakota County Opioid Epidemic Response Services Project RFP was posted for 29 days. Nineteen proposals were received from vendors with a variety of the abatement strategies listed in the Opioid Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) including Treatment, Prevention and Other Strategies (Attachment: Amended MOA). The subcommittee reviewed and scored the proposals and selected the following vendors (Attachment: Solicitation Summary and Attachment: Solicitation Summary Supplement) to enter into contracts for the term of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025:
Lionheart Wellness and Recovery
• Proposed Strategy:
o Expand trauma-responsive, evidence-based, co-occurring treatment for adolescents.
o Increase accessibility to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder for adolescents.
o Provide holistic support to adolescents with Opioid Use Disorder and/or Mental Health conditions and their families.
• MOA Exhibit A Strategies: Items A.1, A.3, and A.6
• Not to Exceed Dollar Amount: $75,000
Gateway Recovery Center
• Proposed Strategy:
o Provide transportation services for individuals with limited access to care at Withdrawal Management facilities.
• MOA Exhibit A Strategies: Items A.7 and B.7
• Not to Exceed Dollar Amount: $32,293
Wayside Recovery Center
• Proposed Strategy:
o Support individuals who are involved in or transitioning out of the criminal justice system in Dakota County through case consultation, comprehensive assessment, care coordination, and linkage to treatment.
• MOA Exhibit A Strategies: Items D.3 and D.5
• Not to Exceed Dollar Amount: $100,000
Thrive! Family Recovery Services
• Proposed Strategy:
o Establish a family resource center to support families impacted by Opioid Use Disorder.
• MOA Exhibit A Strategies: Items A.6, B.1, B.2, B.5, and B.10
• Not to Exceed Dollar Amount: $93,707
Minnesota Recovery Connection
• Proposed Strategy:
o Provide culturally appropriate long-term behavioral health and wellness for the Latine population suffering from Opioid Use Disorder.
o Provide harm reduction education in accordance with Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate (CLAS) standards.
• MOA Exhibit A Strategies: B.13 and H.3
• Not to Exceed Dollar Amount: $89,000
Commissioner Laurie Halverson (“Commissioner Halvorson”) and Community Corrections Director Suwana Kirkland (“Director Kirkland”) are board members of Wayside Recovery Center. However, Commissioner Halverson may abstain from voting on the resolution and the contract, if awarded, will not be under the purview of Director Kirkland for any decision making.
OUTCOMES
How much?
The allocated $390,000 will provide qualified organizations funding for innovative projects to respond to the opioid crisis in Dakota County.
How well?
Public Health, in partnership with ORAC, will assure that the recipients provide services through opioid epidemic response strategies, including prevention, treatment and recovery, harm reduction, and continuing care.
Is anyone better off?
Awardees will be required to report outcome data to Public Health and ORAC to assure that the funded strategies have a high impact, particularly from Dakota County communities most disproportionately impacted by the opioid crisis.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to execute contracts with the selected vendors at the amounts and rates listed in the Resolution for the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
There is a $0 net County cost as a result of this action. The contracts will be included as a December change to the 2025 Non-Departmental Budget. The contracts shall contain a provision that allows the County to immediately terminate the contracts in the event sufficient funds from county, state, or federal sources are not appropriated at a level sufficient to allow payment of the amounts due.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
23-277; 06/13/23
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Amended MOA
Attachment: Solicitation Summary
Attachment: Solicitation Summary Supplement
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Coral Ripplinger
Author: James Johnson