The Pulaski County Commissioners heard an update on the FSSA matching grant the Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFPC) and the Pulaski County Drug Council applied for during their meeting Monday.
In a previous meeting, it was announced the Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFPC) and Pulaski County Drug-Free Council, the Local Coordinating Council (LCC), that $402,800 had been awarded to Pulaski County by the Family & Social Services Administration’s (FSSA) Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA). DMHA awarded these funds to build and support projects across Indiana to improve mental health and recovery services for Hoosiers. This includes funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and the National Opioid Settlement, and totals more than $76 million.
In 2019, CFPC released a report called “Conversations with Our Community” which noted that Pulaski County wanted a safe and drug-free community. CFPC, in partnership with Pulaski County Drug-Free Council, developed a “Community Action Plan” to address substance misuse in their community. This plan was developed based on the core activities outlined in the National Opioid Settlement distribution. Indiana is a part of the $26 billion national settlement and the state received approximately $507 million, which is distributed to all cities, towns, and counties in the state who are participating in the settlement. Pulaski County received its first distribution earlier this year and will continue to receive funds through approximately 2037.
During the joint commissioner and council sessions this past February, CFPC and the Pulaski County Drug-Free Council presented the “Community Action Plan” to the council members as a recommendation on how to utilize the opioid settlement funds. At that time, the request was made, and granted, to apply for the FSSA matching grant. DMHA received 78 proposals requesting a total of $93 million in response to the grant. However, Pulaski County was a successful applicant and was awarded $402,800 for the community to address substance misuse in our county.
During Monday’s commissioner meeting, CFPC Executive Director Leeann Wright informed the commissioners, the matching grant from the FSSA is a reimbursement grant. She stated specific organizations involved must pay and then be reimbursed by the grant. She added they are currently awaiting grant contracts from the state. She said once they receive the grant contracts, they will be able to provide monthly reports.
It was announced the Pulaski County Drug-Free Council has already started implementing the “Community Action Plan.” Funds from the FSSA grant are restricted to three key areas of the Community Action Plan which are hiring a Prevention Coordinator, establishing a Drug Treatment Court and expanding the services of Intrepid Phoenix.
Intrepid Phoenix provides a holistic fitness approach for recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Improving the mental, emotional, and physical health of those struggling with SUD increases their chances of long-term recovery.
