A central piece of the assembly was the presentation of proposals for opioid abatement funding from several organizations, including Meridian Behavioral Health, Purpose Behavioral Health, the Bradford County Health Department, and a community resource paramedicine proposal. One of the presenters from Purpose Behavioral Health outlined a plan to combat opioid addiction, citing a need for a holistic approach. The program, influenced by Governor DeSantis’s coordinated opioid recovery network, proposed in-home treatment by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of licensed clinicians, care coordinators, peer specialists, and registered nurses. The speaker proposed potential funding sources, such as insurance and partnerships with organizations like lsf, and suggested a three to four-person team to provide services.

The discussion on substance abuse continued with another presentation from the Bradford County Health Department, emphasizing prevention and health education campaigns to combat opioid prescriptions in households. Proposed initiatives included billboards, newspaper articles, mail-outs, and school assemblies, highlighting the need for community education and prevention. Concerns were raised about the pervasiveness of opioid prescriptions and their impact on the community, underlining the urgency of the council’s involvement in these initiatives.

The council also entertained a proposal for a community paramedicine program, stressing targeted interventions and ongoing support for individuals with addiction. This program’s goals were to minimize barriers to care and reduce the frequency of emergency calls related to substance use disorders, a move that could potentially alleviate the financial burden on 911 services. The proposed program would include on-site evaluations, telehealth services, and coordination of follow-up outpatient care, with an initial starting salary for the community paramedicine position stated at $64,000.

Moreover, the potential establishment of a Community Response Program (CRP) was put forward, aiming to collaborate with health care providers, emergency services, law enforcement, schools, and community organizations. This program intended to offer outreach, preventative care, treatment navigation, mental health support, community integration, and Narcan distribution, among other services. Discussions touched upon transparency, accountability, and the potential benefits of the CRP in reducing high-frequency 911 calls. The council debated the funding allocation for the CRP, the program’s budget, reporting frequency, and the clinical assessment process for community calls.

In the realm of community engagement and public comments, the council heard from individuals such as David Ross, who spoke in support of Purpose Behavioral Health and the need for preventative measures against opioid addiction. Cynthia Ross shared details of a small community initiative aimed at providing positive opportunities for youth and the community. Tommy Kboard and B Strong voiced concerns about the fairness of the fire tax and the double taxation for trash services, respectively. B Strong also mentioned the financial implications of the county’s agreement to take over the Stark police.

Additionally, the council approved a resolution regarding the collection method of a non-ad valorem special assessment for fire protection and Emergency Medical Services, emphasizing the resolution’s intent to streamline the process and increase efficiency. However, the specifics of the appointment to the Swan River Economic Council board of directors remained unclear from the transcript.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the proposed budget for a community resource paramedic position, which included funding sources and operating budget allocation. Concerns were addressed regarding the sustainability of funding sources and the requirement for annual reports to evaluate program effectiveness.