Building on a two-year effort to educate and empower county officials with strategies to tackle the opioid crisis, the Kentucky Association of Counties is launching a new leadership program specifically tailored for KACo members.
The KACo Opioid Solutions Network (KOSN) is a leadership cohort designed to help counties invest opioid settlement funds in innovative, evidence-based, and locally driven ways.
Beginning this spring, KOSN will bring together county leaders from across the Commonwealth for peer learning, technical assistance, and regional site visits. The program will highlight effective strategies already working in Kentucky and beyond, while creating a space for counties to collaborate, share challenges and identify practical solutions.
KOSN is modeled after the National Association of Counties’ Opioid Solutions Leadership Network, with sessions tailored specifically for the needs of Kentucky communities.
Program components
Participants will engage in in-depth learning experiences, including:
- Two in-person trainings in April and September at locations across Kentucky
- Optional travel to the NACo Annual Conference in New Orleans (July 16–19) to explore national best practices
- Guided exercises and hands-on technical assistance to develop tangible, locally implementable plans
- Project presentations at the 52nd Annual KACo Conference in November
Who should apply
Counties may apply through their judge/executive and designate two participants to take part in the cohort. At least one participant must be an elected official. Additional participants may include county staff, public health leaders, justice system partners, behavioral health professionals, or other local stakeholders involved in opioid response efforts.
Benefits of participation
- Development of actionable, county-specific plans
- Access to a statewide network of county leaders for ongoing collaboration
- Exposure to proven in-state and national program models
- Alignment with state and national best practices
- Opportunity to document and showcase county projects at KACo and NACo events
Application details
- Applications open: Friday, Jan. 30
- Applications close: Friday, March 6
Click here to apply for the KOSN program.
For additional information, please contact Lauren Carr, KACo Opioid Settlement Advisor, at lauren.carr@kaco.org.
