April 16, 2024 Minutes

Weld Regional Opioid Council Meeting

Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, Room 103
1555 North 17th Avenue, Greeley CO 80631
April 16, 2024 @ 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Council Members in Attendance:  Town of Windsor Government; Zo Hubbard – Town of Fort Lupton; Tom Nissen – Ault Police Department; Michael Pirraglia – Weld County District Attorney’s Office; Scott James – Weld County Commissioner

Non-Council Members in Attendance:  Jason Chessher – Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment: Bob McDonald – Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment; Holly Smith – Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment; Tanya Geiser – Weld County Department of Human Services; MJ Jorgensen – North Colorado Health Alliance; Melanie Cyphers - Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment; Elizabeth Pike – North Colorado Health Network; Mike Knee – Weld County Sherriff’s Office; Richard Zeigler – Windsor Police Department; Scott Smith – Greeley Police Department; Jamie Feld – CO Department of Law; Natalie Sandoval – CO Department of Law; Jack Patterson – CO Department of Law; Matt Elbe – Weld County Sheriff’s Office; Amy Anderson – Ault Police Department; Lindsey Simbeye

Minutes

1. Introductions and Opening Remarks
   • Eric Aakko is no longer with the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment. He left to help start a master’s in public health program at a University in Nebraska. Bob McDonald has replaced him (today is his first day). Bob will be the WCDPHE appointed member for the council.
   • Matt Elbe will be replacing Matt Turner as the appointed council member for the Weld County Sheriff’s Office.
2. Review and Approve Agenda & Previous Meeting Minutes
   • Because a total of 8 voting members were not present at the meeting, there was no quorum so no issues needing voted on could be addressed.
3. Discussion and Vote: Chair Council Member
   • Because a total of 8 voting members were not present at the meeting, there was no quorum so no issues needing voted on could be addressed. Voting for a new chair will be done via email that will be sent to all voting members.
4. Discussion: Two-Year Team
   • Current terms will expire in August / new terms will start. Please let us know if you are interested in continuing as a member of the council, or if there will be someone else taking the spot.
5. Discussion: COAG Update; Jack Patterson and Jamie Feld
   • Have been reviewing expenditure reports, and this region’s is one of the most comprehensive, so thank you.
   • Model of local control – 60% goes to region, 10% goes to infrastructure share, 10% goes to the state, and 20% goes to local governments. Local governments can decide to keep the disbursement or direct it to the region.
   • Have had $74 million in requests from the regions for funds. Anticipating some funds to come through this week.
   • Creating a MAT in jail award. This will be a nomination process and 5 jails will receive $50,000. Nominations will close on May 15th. Link for nomination: Recognition for Colorado County Jails.
   • Next regional request opportunity will be September 15th.
   • Annual conference will be September 30th at the Loveland Embassy Suites. Would like to highlight the successes of Northern Colorado. Will be partnering with North Colorado Health Alliance as they have a conference the next day. Also wanted to see if our region would like to co-sponsor the Conference dinner ($12,000 needed for the dinner. Could spread across other councils as well so full amount would not be required). Want to have the region front and center as a way to share successes. Had over 200 people last year in Montrose, anticipate more this year since it’s more centrally located. Working on a save the date. Have not yet approved an agenda, still early in the process.
   • Connect Effect Campaign is for youth 10-14 and trusted adults. CO Department of Law is providing mini grants to regions interested in sharing. Let them know if you'd like free resources. Link for more information about the Connect Effect Campaign:  https://www.connecteffectco.org/youth
6. Budget Updates; Tanya Geiser
   • 2023 allocation was $1.25 million. Received another $2.1 million in 2024. Total budget allocation for 2022-2024 in the amount of $3.37.
   • In 2023 requested $1.2 of that based on funded contracts and at end of 2023, requested an additional $1.6 based on funded contracts discussed by the council.
   • Beginning of 2024 had discussions on additional funding. In March requested remaining $437,000. Have requested all of our funds from our funding administrator.
   • 2023 actual expenditures were $813,000 leaving us with $2.5 million to spend this year.
   • Through this year we have all our funded partners we have contracts with. That includes additional money approved for North Range for additional position and for the Fort Lupton Police Department equipment. All contracts have been executed.
   • Have $338,000 uncommitted funds.
   • Funding splits: 72% towards treatment, 7% to prevention, 21% to additional (i.e. administration costs).
   • Will no longer be using Exhibit A as source document for statements of work/where funding will come from, will be switching to National Exhibit E this year. Tanya can get that new exhibit out for people to review. Helps categorize more on a national level.
   • Recommendations made to make meetings a little longer to be able to discuss everything in detail.
7. Discussion: Media Campaign; Melanie Cyphers
   • Have been working on a campaign for a while. Have $20,000 in funds. Key message is stigma reduction. Need to determine target audience (i.e. individual living with addiction or support system for those with addiction?)
   • Looking at a time frame of August (many key things happening in August). Will be looking at both paid and free opportunities.
   • Will develop messages in English and Spanish.
   • Council thinks it would be best to try to address both target audiences (individuals who might not seek treatment AND people who know someone and are a support system). Need to Page 4 have resources/toolkits on the back end for both audiences to utilize.
8. Adjourn
   • Because a total of 8 voting members were not present at the meeting, there was no quorum, so no motion was made to adjourn, meeting just ended.

Next Meeting:  July 16, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment and available virtually through Microsoft Teams