The Kentucky Association of Counties has been selected for a national program dedicated to maximizing the effectiveness of opioid settlement funds.
Across the country, 10 state associations of counties – to be known as Ambassadors – were chosen to join the National Association of Counties Opioid Solutions Leadership Network. The OSLN, an initiative launched in 2022 and presented through a partnership with Vital Strategies and the Pew Charitable Trusts, brings together leaders in county government to share best practices for evidence-based strategies to address the opioid epidemic.
Joining KACo as ambassadors are:
- Hawaii State Association of Counties
- Alaska Municipal League
- Utah Association of Counties
- Association of Minnesota Counties
- Michigan Association of Counties
- Tennessee County Services Association
- County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania
- Florida Association of Counties
- North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
The Opioid Solutions Leadership Network Ambassadors program recognizes the crucial role that state associations of counties play in scaling the impact of resources, navigating state-specific terms and conditions for opioid settlements and fostering timely, responsive solutions to the opioid epidemic. This new cohort joins an existing group of county leaders, building a larger network that bridges resources and peer learning across local, state and federal levels of government.
KACo Opioid Settlement Advisor Lauren Carr will represent the organization in the eight-month peer learning cohort, including discussions with national subject matter experts and the creation of an action plan to enhance KACo’s educational and advocacy capacity to assist Kentucky’s counties in responding to the opioid epidemic.
“It’s an honor to represent KACo in the Opioid Solutions Leadership Network Ambassador program,” Carr said. “This opportunity will help us continue building on the momentum we've created in Kentucky by connecting with others doing this work across the country. I look forward to learning, sharing, and bringing back new ideas that will support our counties as they invest settlement funds into meaningful, lasting solutions.”
Opioid settlements continue to be finalized, adding to the more than $50 billion already being distributed at the state and local level, with payments set to continue for more than a decade. County governments administering these resources face a complex landscape of needs and demands and have opportunities to drive investments that will shape public health systems, law enforcement, emergency services and social support networks for people at risk of overdose, including rural communities as well as historically marginalized populations.
Members of the OSLN are critical partners in information dissemination, state policy advocacy, peer learning and technical assistance.
To view all Opioid Solutions Leadership Network cohort members and learn more about the initiative, visit www.naco.org/opioid.
