The Opioid Settlement provides funding to support local strategies aimed at reducing the impact of the opioid crisis through prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction efforts.
Rowan County Opioid Settlement – FY24-25 Strategy Implementation
Rowan County Public Health and HOPE (Harm Reduction, Outreach, Prevention, and Education) are implementing seven strategies from the Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The following outlines the funded strategies and the work being carried out under each.
1. Collaborative Strategic Planning
Strategy Goal: Fund positions or activities that support the development, coordination, and implementation of collaborative, data-driven strategic plans to address opioid use and its impacts.
Local Impact: Opioid Settlement funding supports the Substance Use Program Specialist position at Rowan County Public Health. This role oversees the full life cycle of grant management, including:
The Request for Proposals (RFP) process
Program evaluation
Grant compliance and reporting
Data collection and analysis This position also facilitates partnerships and community engagement to ensure that funded projects align with county priorities and achieve measurable results.
2. Evidence-Based Addiction Treatment
Strategy Goal: Support evidence-based addiction treatment consistent with ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) national guidelines, including MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment), through qualified providers, justice-involved programs, and community-based treatment services. May include funding for facilities offering evidence-based treatment.
Local Impact: Rowan County has set aside funding to support:
Transportation services to help individuals access in-county and out-of-county treatment services.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) to fund a local Rowan County agency that will provide outpatient substance use treatment to individuals in need.
3. Recovery Support Services
Strategy Goal: Fund peer support specialists to connect people to treatment, recovery, harm reduction, healthcare, and other supportive services.
Local Impact: HOPE partners with Novant Health, Rowan County Sheriff's Office and EMS, Family Crisis Council, DSS, Rowan Helping Ministries, and others to provide Peer Support Services for individuals in need of support, resources, and linkage to care.
4. Early Intervention
Strategy Goal: Provide early identification and intervention services for youth struggling with substance use or mental health. Training programs may target parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health or human services professionals, or others in contact with children or adolescents.
Local Impact: HOPE is partnering with Vaya Health to bring Mental Health First Aid training to the community. Additional trainings focus on Substance Use, Prevention, Mental Health, and Trauma-Informed Care.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued to select a Rowan County agency to implement approved early intervention services or projects using Opioid Settlement funding.
5. Naloxone Distribution
Strategy Goal: Distribute naloxone to individuals at risk of overdose and their support networks.
Local Impact: HOPE distributes free nasal Narcan at the Health Department, in person, at community events, and during training sessions. HOPE also offers overdose recognition and Narcan administration training. In partnership with the Sheriff's Office, Narcan vending machines with 24/7 access have been installed at both county jails.
6. Post Overdose Response Team (PORT)
Strategy Goal: Connect individuals who survive overdoses to care and support services.
Local Impact: In collaboration with Rowan County EMS, HOPE deploys a Community Paramedic and Peer Support Specialists to respond to overdose calls and engage individuals in care coordination, harm reduction, and recovery support.
7. Syringe Service Program (SSP)
Strategy Goal: Provide harm reduction supplies and services while connecting clients to care.
Local Impact: HOPE operates a Syringe Service Program at the Rowan County Health Department, offering:
Safer injection and sex supplies
Wound care kits
On-site HIV, Hepatitis B/C testing
Services provided by the Community Paramedic, including wound care support
8. Addiction Treatment for Incarcerated Persons
Strategy Goal: Provide evidence-based treatment, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), to incarcerated individuals.
Local Impact: In partnership with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department, HOPE funds two positions to support the MOUD (Medication for Opioid Use Disorder) program in the Detention Center, ensuring access to treatment while incarcerated.
In Addition: EMS Grant-Funded Projects
Rowan County EMS and HOPE have received additional funding to enhance emergency response and provider training. Projects include:
Educational scholarships for paramedics
MAT Bridge Program
Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)
EMS staff training on substance use, mental health, trauma informed care and motivational interviewing
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