Item Description:
title
Authorize addt’l FTEs to HSPH Dept for 2024 Opioid staffing support
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that consistent with the requirements of the Minnesota Opioids State-Subdivision Memorandum of Agreement, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners authorizes the expenditure of $505,640 (23-0349 R1, $8,907,522 12-12-2023) of Opioid Settlement Funds to increase FTEs for the identified strategies, as delineated in the Agreement for December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024:
1. MOA Category B, Support people in treatment and recovery: 1.0 FTE for the Housing Stability division of the Human Services department;
2. MOA Category E, Address the needs of the perinatal population, and Category K, Training: 1.0 FTE for the Children and Family Services division of the Human Services department; and
3. MOA Category G, Prevent misuse of opioids: 2.0 FTEs for the Communications department.
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Background:
In 2022, Hennepin County began receiving direct allocations from the National
Settlement Agreements with Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health,
and McKesson (“Opioid Settlement Funds”). This budget adjustment increases the staffing in Hennepin County departments to ensure they have the personnel to carry out this work to combat the negative impacts of opioids on our communities.
The 4 additional FTEs will fund positions in the areas of: Children and Family Services, Communications, and Housing Stability to support the work and meet anticipated needs for services. These positions are funded with opioid settlement dollars already allocated to the departments as part of the 2024 adopted budget. The Children and Family Services position is to support a Child Protection Social Worker, the Communications positions are to support a Principal Communications Specialist and Principal Planning Analyst, and the Housing Stability position is to support a Case Management Assistant.
Disparity Reduction impact: This request supports the county’s identified priorities and goals for the disparity reduction Health and Housing domains by focusing on achieving health equity in addressing opioid use disorder in communities disproportionately impacted by the opioid crisis, including the Native American, African American and unhoused populations.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval