TO: Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, County Administrator
FROM: Jennifer W. Shuler, County Attorney
DATE: December 1, 2025
SUBJECT: Opioid Funding Recommendations from the Public Safety Council for Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse
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BACKGROUND
On May 5, 2025, the Board of County Commissioners merged the Public Safety Coordinating Council and the Public Safety Council for Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse. In addition to merging the statutory functions of these Councils, the Board also assigned to the Public Safety Council for Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse the additional duty of making recommendations to the Board for the use of funds received from opioid litigation and to receive reports from the Opioid and Substance Use Task Force ("Task Force"). This fall, Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network ("SEFBHN"), who manages the County's opioid settlement monies, issued a Request for Applications ("RFA") to solicit applications for funding from providers who can deliver evidence-based, recovery-oriented services to address the opioid crisis. A report from SEFBHN that describes the RFA process is attached to this agenda item. The applications and oral presentations from providers who met the RFA requirements were scored by the Task Force, who recommended funding for the following:
Thrive - Centralized intake and referral system, Respite $500,000.00
Treasure Coast Community Health - Mobile MAT Services at Thrive $300,000.00
Treasure Coast Homeless Service Council - Housing assistance and case management $150,000.00
New Horizons of the Treasure Coast - Detox Bed at NHTC Main Unit $166,806.50
Ritelife Services - Peer Training and Apprenticeship $100,000.00
Total Funding: $1,216,806.50
On December 1, 2025, SEFBHN presented the RFA funding recommendations to the Public Safety Council for Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, who unanimously approved them. These recommendations are now before the Board of County Commissioners for final approval. If approved, SEFBHN will enter into contracts with the funding recipients effective April 2026 - March 2027.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
There is no cost to the County associated with this request.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Board consider approval of the opioid funding recommendations from the Public Safety Council for Criminal Justice, Mental Health and Substance Abuse.