Loading...
RES 2025-33 Aiken Center SCORF Funding Request AdoptedRESOLUTION NO. 2025-33 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DISBURSEMENT OF OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO THE AIKEN CENTER FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST AND A LICENSED ADDICTION COUNSELOR DEDICATED FOR NORTH AUGUSTA AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE AIKEN COUNTY COMMISSION ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE REGARDING SOUTH CAROLINA OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDING WHEREAS, On February 25, 2022, the National Prescription Opiate Litigation Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee (PEC) finalized settlements totaling $26 billion with three of the nation’s top wholesale pharmaceutical drug distributors, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, McKesson, and opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson.; and WHEREAS, The South Carolina Opioid Recovery Act, approved by Governor Henry McMaster on May 23, 2022, established the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund (SCORF) and the administration, accountability, and operation of the Fund in accordance with the terms of the In re South Carolina Opioid Litigation settlement agreement; and WHEREAS, the City of North Augusta is eligible for this funding; and WHEREAS, The City of North Augusta is partnered with The Aiken Center in their mission to promote hopeful, healthy living and freedom from substance misuse through prevention, treatment, and recovery; and WHEREAS, The Aiken Center has requested North Augusta SCORF funding in the amount of $172,284.00 to provide funding for a new dedicated Peer Support Specialist for North Augusta in accordance with the proposal as is attached hereto, marked as Exhibit “A” and incorporated by reference; and WHEREAS, The Aiken County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse has proposed a Memorandum of Understanding to the City regarding a partnership for implementing the Aiken County South Carolina Opioid Settlement Funding which provides for responsibilities related to documentation, financial tracking and reporting related to such funds; and WHEREAS, The City Council following a review of such proposal has determined that it is in the best interests of the City to enter into such Agreement. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Augusta, South Carolina, in a meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof, that: 1. The Council authorizes the City Administrator to request $172,284.00 from the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund. 2. The Council authorizes the City Administrator to disburse that $172,284.00 funding to the Aiken Center for the purpose of establishing a new dedicated Peer Support Specialist and a licensed addiction Counselor dedicated for the City of North Augusta, in accordance with Exhibit “A”. 3. The Council authorizes the City Administrator to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding with the Aiken County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, such Memorandum attached hereto, marked Exhibit “B” and incorporated by reference. 1105 GREGG HIGHWAY, AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA 29801 T. (803) 649-1900 WW.AIKENCENTER.ORG Opioid Abatement and Recovery Proposal Aiken Center and City of North Augusta September 2025 Proposal: New dedicated Peer Support Specialist & Licensed Counselor with advanced experience in addiction for North Augusta. In keeping with the Aiken County Community Action Plan for the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund (SCORF), the City of North Augusta will submit an application for designated funds before the October 17, 2025 deadline. The plan would be for the City to enter into an MOU with Aiken Center to provide a dedicated North Augusta Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) and Licensed Counselor with advanced experience in addiction (LC). The CPSS and LC will provide services benefiting North Augusta residents and families impacted by drug misuse and addictions. To reach high-risk North Augusta residents and provide maximum outreach and opioid abatement impact, the CPSS and LC will primarily be embedded within the North Augusta Department of Social Services (DSS) office; the Hartzog Center of Aiken Barnwell Mental Health (ABMHC) on Martintown Road; and will work in concert with the SCORF-funded North Augusta Public Safety outreach team. DSS and ABMHC leaders have approved this concept plan and will provide space in their North Augusta offices. Funding: All expenses will come from the SCORF pharmaceutical opioid settlement—not taxpayer dollars. North Augusta City Council and staff will evaluate the program performance and efficacy, and may or may not choose to continue the partnership project after the first year. Timeline: The SCORF Board will review the application from the City of North Augusta this fall after the October submission, and upon approval, will send the funds to the City for project launch January 2026. Under the MOU, Aiken Center will provide all required program reports and deliverables to the City and will invoice expenses per an approved budget. A Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS) is someone in recovery from an addiction who uses that first-hand experience toward helping others in their individualized recovery journey. Services by a CPSS include but are not limited to: • Coaching and peer-to-peer support by providing encouragement and helping individuals identify and overcome barriers to recovery; • Sharing practical knowledge and strategies for understanding addiction and how to navigate into sustained recovery; • Assisting with finding resources, often including sober-living housing, local support groups, and links to job training and practical life support; • Bridging to other needed resources including both outpatient and sometimes inpatient treatment. Exhibit "A" A Licensed counselor with advanced experience in addiction (LC) is a masters- level trained professional who provides clinical treatment to individuals navigating substance use challenges. Services by a LC include but are not limited to: • Conducting comprehensive assessments to understand the individual's substance use history, mental health status, and recovery goals; • Developing personalized treatment plans that may include individual, group, or family counseling sessions; • Utilizing evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma- informed care; • Collaborating with other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated care, including referrals to medical, psychiatric, or residential treatment services when needed. Why partner with Aiken Center for these services for North Augusta residents? • Subject matter expertise. Aiken Center is Aiken County’s Alcohol and Other Drug Services Commission—also known as the ‘county authority’--with a 50- year record of providing substance use services across the continuum of prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery support; • Reach-back team support. The CPSS & LC hired by Aiken Center will have a team backing them up, including four additional CPSS staff members and, importantly, a team of seven clinical counselors who stand ready to provide the often-needed treatment services; • Recovery Capital Resources. The thirty-person staff of Aiken Center continues to engage and strengthen a network of partners and resources to address family barriers to recovery from substance use disorders. Budget: Certified Peer Support FTE Salary One FTE $42,000 Fringe $16,800 Training, materials, and mileage $4,000 Laptop, printer, supplies and EHR access $3,300 Clinical Supervision $4,080 Admin Supervision and support $3,509 Sub-Total $73,689 Exhibit "A" Licensed Counselor with advanced experience in addiction FTE Salary One FTE $61,000 Fringe $24,400 Training, materials, and mileage $5,000 Laptop, printer, supplies and EHR access $3,500 Admin Supervision and support $4,645 Sub-Total $98,595 Total: $172,284 Margaret M. Key Aiken Center Exhibit "A" MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Between the City of North Augusta and the Aiken County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Aiken Center) Regarding the South Carolina Opioid Settlement Funding Partnership (SCORF) This Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") is entered into this ___ day of ____________, 2025, by and between: The City of North Augusta, a municipal government organized under the laws of the State of South Carolina, hereinafter referred to as “City,” and Aiken Center, a public agency and subject matter expert in substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support. WHEREAS, the State of South Carolina is distributing opioid settlement funds to cities and counties as part of the national opioid litigation settlement; and WHEREAS, the City has received and will receive funds from this settlement to address the opioid crisis in the community; and WHEREAS, Aiken Center possesses the legal standing, expertise and capacity to effectively assist in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs and services aligned with evidence-based strategies for opioid misuse prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support; and WHEREAS, the City and Aiken Center have jointly, and with other local partners, developed an Aiken County SCORF Community Action Plan outlining targeted strategies and anticipated outcomes to address the impact of opioids in the community; and WHEREAS, both parties are committed to using the opioid settlement funds in accordance with the terms of the settlement and applicable guidelines, and to maximize the benefit of these resources for the residents of North Augusta; NOW, THEREFORE, the City and Aiken Center agree to enter into this MOU and agree to the following terms: I. Purpose The purpose of this MOU is to formalize the partnership between the City and Aiken Center to implement the jointly developed Aiken County SCORF Community Action Plan and ensure the responsible and effective use of South Carolina Opioid Settlement funds. Exhibit "B" II. Roles and Responsibilities A. Responsibilities of the City: 1. Receive and manage the disbursement of settlement funds in compliance with State and settlement guidelines; 2. Serve as fiscal agent for the partnership and ensure timely payment and reporting as required; 3. Collaborate with Aiken Center to implement programs and activities outlined in the Community Action Plan; 4. Maintain transparency through proper documentation, financial tracking, and reporting; 5. Appoint a City representative to the county-wide Opioid Recovery Steering Committee organized by Aiken Center to meet quarterly, with the purpose of ongoing needs analysis and to provide ongoing recommendations for updates to the Community Action Plan for opioid abatement and prevention. B. Responsibilities of Aiken Center: 1. Serve as the subject matter expert and lead partner in the design and implementation of opioid- related programs; 2. Execute services, interventions, and evaluations in alignment with the approved Community Action Plan; 3. Provide the City with data, progress reports, and outcome measurements as required; 4. Assist with reporting obligations to ensure compliance with State and settlement requirements; 5. Maintain transparency through proper documentation, financial tracking, and reporting; 6. Convene a county-wide Opioid Recovery Steering Committee to meet quarterly and guide effective use of SCORF funds through ongoing needs analysis and updated recommendations for the Community Action Plan on opioid abatement and prevention. III. Term Exhibit "B" This MOU shall become effective upon the date of the last signature below and shall remain in effect for a period of three (3) years, unless terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions below. The parties may extend this agreement by mutual written consent. IV. Termination This MOU may be terminated by either party upon sixty (60) days' written notice. In the event of termination, the parties shall cooperate to ensure an orderly wind-down of activities and proper use of remaining funds. V. Non-Binding Agreement This MOU is intended to reflect the mutual understanding and goodwill of the parties and does not create any legally binding obligations. The parties agree to act in good faith in carrying out the intent of this partnership. VI. Amendments This MOU may be amended only by mutual written agreement of the parties. VII. Points of Contact For the City: Name: ______________________________ Title: ______________________________ Phone/Email: ______________________________ For the Aiken Center: Name: ______________________________ Title: ______________________________ Phone/Email: ______________________________ IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Memorandum of Understanding as of the date first written above. Exhibit "B" City of North Augusta Aiken Center By: ____________________________ By:_____________________________ Name: Name: Title: Title: Date: Date: Exhibit "B"