Subject:
Title
City/County Opioid Abatement Funding 2026-2027 Priority List recommendations for the Board of County Commissioners approval for submission to the Florida Department of Children and Families.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the revised 2026-2027 City/County Opioid Abatement Fund Priority List (Priority List) for submission to the Florida Department of Children and Families.
The Priority List is aligned with the Florida Opioid Allocation and Statewide Response Agreement with the Florida Attorney General, commonly referred to as the “Florida Plan.”
• Establishing a Priority List annually is a requirement of the Florida Plan to receive City/County Opioid Abatement Funding. In accordance with Schedule A, Core Strategies and Schedule B, Approved Uses of the Florida Plan, the County has identified the following Priority List for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027:
1.) Expansion of Warm Hand-Off Programs and Recovery Services.
2.) Medication Assisted Treatment Distribution and Other Opioid Related Treatment.
3.) Connect People Who Need Help to the Help They Need (Connections to Care)
• City/County Opioid Abatement Funding supports the expansion of the Pinellas Matters Hospital Bridge Program, including a program manager hired to oversee the program, recovery support services and the Implementation Team, which provides medical direction and consultation services. Funding will also support the Coordinated Access Model (CAM) Care About Me Program, a confidential access line for mental health, substance use, and addiction services that help residents of all ages obtain appointments to get the help they need.
• The Board of County Commissioners previously made decisions regarding City/County Opioid Abatement Funding in the following items: 21-1230A Resolution to negotiate Florida Plan, 23-0857A 2023 Priority List, 24-0866A 2024 Priority List, 25-0630A 2025 Priority List, 26-0548A 2026 Priority List and Municipality Assignments (22-1202D Safety Harbor, 22-1334D Tarpon Springs, 23-0178D Oldsmar, 23-0591D Largo, 23-0966D Seminole, 24-0584D Pinellas Park and 24-0866D, City of Clearwater).
• There is no fiscal impact.Body
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Strategic Plan:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
2.2 Enhance community safety.
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
4.4 Pursue continuous improvement.
Summary:
Summary
This Priority List is submitted annually to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) as Pinellas County’s Implementation Plan outlining how the County intends to allocate and utilize City/County opioid settlement funds in alignment with the requirements of Schedule A, Core Strategies and Schedule B, Approved Uses under the Florida Plan. The County has identified the following Priority List:
1. Expansion of Warm Hand-Off Programs and Recovery Services
2. Medication Assisted treatment “MAT” Distribution and other Opioid Related
Treatment
3. Connect People Who Need Help to the Help They Need (Connections to Care)
City/County Opioid Abatement Funding supports the expansion of the Pinellas Matters Hospital Bridge Program. A program manager was hired in November 2023 to oversee the program, and solicitation resulted in contracts with the top two submitters, Operation PAR, Inc. and Recovery Epicenter Foundation, Inc. to provide recovery support services. Funding also supports the Implementation Team through an agreement with Pre-Hospital Medicine Consultants, Inc., which consists of a physician and non-physician who provide medical direction services for the Pinellas Matters program and its expansion, including clinical consultations with peers, the Program Manager, and hospital staff, as well as data research and analysis, administrative support, and direct patient engagement.
City/County Opioid Abatement Funding will also support the Coordinated Access Model (CAM) Care About Me Program. CAM is a confidential access line for mental health, substance use, and addiction services that help residents of all ages find appointments for the care they need, helping reduce barriers to treatment, improve coordination and warm handoffs, and strengthen consistency in screening, assessment, and triage practices. Residents are referred to their preferred provider based on location, appointment type, and insurance coverage or ability to pay.
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Background Information:
The State of Florida (State) entered into the negotiated opioid litigation settlement agreements. Pinellas County, along with other Florida cities and counties, entered an agreement with the State (the “Florida Plan”) allowing the state to negotiate on the County’s behalf and governs the allocation and use of opioid litigation settlement proceeds.
Pursuant to the Florida Plan, the State has established the City/County Fund to distribute funding directly to municipalities and counties. Seven (7) municipalities within Pinellas County: Largo, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, Seminole, Tarpon Springs, Pinellas Park, and Clearwater have assigned their City/County Fund distributions to Pinellas County. The assignment of the city funding to Pinellas County reduces duplication of services, reporting, and administration.
Under the Florida Plan, the County is eligible for both County and Regional opioid settlement dollars. Regional settlement dollars will be distributed through competitive solicitation conducted by Pinellas County Human Services with recommendations made by the Opioid Abatement Funding Advisory Board. The City/County Priority List will inform the use of city/county settlement dollars.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Department of Children and Families
City of Tarpon Springs
City of Oldsmar
City of Largo
City of Safety Harbor
City of Seminole
City of Pinellas Park
City of Clearwater
Attachments:
City/County Priority List