Members of the Project Hope Consortium and Marshall County Crossroads Health and Wellness Committee appeared before the Bremen Town Council and the Culver Town Council members this week in their respective meetings to request 2022 and 2023 Opioid Settlement Funds be used to continue the work done by Project HOPE.
Project HOPE provides comprehensive services and coordinated access to opioid/substance use prevention, treatment and recovery resources at no-cost in Marshall County.
Project HOPE began about three years ago and was funded through a federal grant that is set to expire in August 2023. It is the goal of Project HOPE representatives that the restricted funds distributed to the Marshall County communities from the Opioid Settlement of the major manufacturers and distributors of highly addictive prescription medications can be used as a way to continue to offer the critical programs to those in the criminal justice system or residents who are seeking a life without substance abuse.
Marshall County Community Corrections Director Ward Byers commented that Project HOPE has helped save the lives of at least five people through the treatment and recovery services provided by the key stakeholders involved in the consortium.
Marshall County Public Health Nurse Sandy Dunfee said Project HOPE supports preventative programs surrounding smoking and vaping in local schools that supplement DARE programs.
There is also a partnership with the Marshall County Council on Aging to assist those in the programs with transportation to needed sessions, court dates, and other appointments to aid in treatment and recovery.
Marshall County Community Foundation and United Way of Marshall County Director Linda Yoder said the restricted funding can be used toward a Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Grant to provide a $1 to $1 match for additional funding to support all of the hard work done to continue to help citizens of Marshall County with these programs.
The Bremen Town Council members unanimously approved the request of $33,508.86 from the 2022 and 2023 Opioid Settlement distributions toward the effort, while the Culver Town Council members unanimously approved the request of $18,344.91 from the two distributions.
