October 20, 2022
I want to encourage all NYS Council members to check the information at the link below over the next few days and weeks:https://oasas.ny.gov/opioid-settlement-fund-advisory-board
The link takes you to the page that embeds all of the meeting notes from previous NYS Opioid Advisory Board meetings and it will soon include notes from the last meeting for this year (10/19) where members of the Board voted on the recommendations it will make to the Legislature regarding where / how settlement funds should be appropriated. In short, the Board agreed to recommend allocation of funds that are/will be available over the next two years in buckets, and as percentages of the total amount available. (Note: The allocations are based on an agreement that all 3 state agencies (DoH, OASAS, OMH) will work together to program appropriated funds.)
Here is how the Board agreed to spend funds available during the first two years. Again, these are recommendations going from the Opioid Advisory Board to the Legislature. The Board must draft a Report that reflects these recommendations. It will also include a narrative that highlights the principles that were adopted by the Board as they made their decisions:
- 22% of total funds should be made available to sure up and/or expand Harm Reduction Programs and Services (existing and new programming) (some programs are under DoH)
- 16% will go to current high priorities in the system of care, to sure up existing programs and services (this includes workforce needs and rate increases)
- 15% to serve special priority populations
- 12% of total on Treatment ( this is new initiatives, and includes co occurring initiatives)
- 10% housing
- 7% Prevention
- 10% of total for Recovery initiatives
- 5% of total on Transportation initiatives
- 2% on Public Awareness activities
- 1% on Research
In the days to come, there will be documents posted on the Website that embeds the Opioid Advisory Board activities/outcomes that explain in greater detail the recommendations the Board generated yesterday.
We want to congratulate all of the members of the Board on their work, and thank them for taking this commitment so seriously. In the end, board members made a commitment to each other and system stakeholders that next year they will engage in a more thoughtful process as they consider Year 3 funds. Obviously, the first year presented a range of complex challenges including limited time, the need to understand applicable laws, and finding a way to work as a cohesive body.