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Approve a contract with Touro University for $31,284 to fund activities of the Opioid Safety Coalition, Drug Safe Solano, from October 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020; and Approve an Appropriations Transfer Request (ATR) for $31,284 (4/5 vote required)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _ X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board approve a contract with Touro University for $31,284 to fund activities of the Opioid Safety Coalition, Drug Safe Solano, from October 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020; and approve an Appropriations Transfer Request (ATR) for $31,284 (4/5 vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The opioid coalition was established September 2018 to be a proactive educational collaborative of interested professionals seeking to reduce the negative impact of opioid addiction in Solano County. While California has not seen an opioid epidemic to the same degree as other areas of the country, opioids are taking the lives of 2,000 people per year in California. Pharmacy data in 2017 showed that opioid prescribing in Solano County (654 per 1,000 residents) exceeded the statewide average (517 per 1,000 residents) by 26%.
This contract will assist the opioid safety coalition, Drug Safe Solano, in its efforts to educate the citizens of Solano County about the dangers of opioids and the resources available to prevent abuse, treat addiction, and support those indirectly affected by opioid use disorders.
The coalition pulls together over 50 people from 35 organizations from a cross section of local hospitals, health clinics, law enforcement, courts, County agencies, first responders, community-based organizations, and concerned citizens. The mission of the coalition is to save lives by increasing awareness about opioid addiction in the public and among medical providers. Coalition participants have developed action teams to achieve the goals of: 1) reducing opioid prescription rates; (2) increasing access to medication assisted treatment (MAT) outpatient treatment and resources; (3) increasing availability of naloxone for emergency rescue by first responders and others in the community; and (4) promoting safe disposal of prescriptions.
This contract is intended to fund staff time to lead the activities of the coalition and purchase relevant educational materials.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget. The $31,284 was not included in the Department’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget; therefore, an ATR in the amount of $31,284 is required to appropriate funding into the FY2019/20 Working Budget (4/5 vote required). 2011 Realignment will fund the agreement.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose to not to approve the ATR or the contract. This is not recommended as the Department has not found viable alternatives for this community service. Drug Safe Solano has the capacity, expertise, and history of service provision which best suits the needs of the community. Further, it is important that the County establishes itself as a supporter of this concept and help maintain the viability of the coalition while it seeks more substantial long-term funding.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION