Board Minutes: September 9, 2024

Present, County Represented
Blaine Arbuthnot, Terry McMillian, Crowley
Meagan Hillman, Prowers
Rick Butler, Baca
Kim McDonnell, Joni Wilk Bent
Rob Oquist, Otero
Meagan Hillman, Kiowa
Felix Lopez, Las Animas
Eppie Griego, Pueblo

Guests
Mindy Baumgarder, Jack Patterson – CO AG’s Office
Rob Miller – SafeSide Recovery
Felicia Tapia – SoCo Harm Reduction
Sarah Money – Colorado Health Network
Christine Charron – Southern Colorado Health Network
Terri Schreiber – The Schreiber Research Group
Elizabeth Riffle – Crossroads
Tori Cervi – BH Southern Co. Health Network

Call to Order
Felix Lopez called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m.

Approval of Agenda
Rick Butler and Rob Oquist moved and seconded the approval of the Agenda – Agenda approved.

Approval of Minutes
Blaine Arbuthnot and Kim McDonnell moved and seconded the approval of the minutes – Minutes approved.

Facilitator Update
Rose gave an update on eight grant applications for the Treatment RFP. Great job everyone for the outreach. The applications have a lot of diversity in them. The RFP Committee will schedule a meeting to review the applications. The RFP Committee is Felix, Rob, Meagan, Blaine and Kim. The mini-grants are all out and we are just waiting on a few of the counties to return the signed copies of the contracts. The checks will be mailed by Crowley County, when the contracts are signed and sent back in.

The Recovery RFP will go out now that the Treatment RFP’s are returned. The RFP will be finalized and it will be posted. Please drive traffic to the website or let Rose know if there are any potential applicants that should be sent the RFP.

Rose is working on changing the wording on the RFP’s to make it clear that the funding cycle is for only one year and if there are instances that need a two-year funding, they need make it very clear on their grant applications. There was discussion on changing the future RFP’s to a two-year grant cycle and not to have as many RFP’s. The two-year cycle can be monitored with accountability and transparency in the recipient’s contracts.

Rose also suggested to consider waiting for the 3 rd year funding until November 15 th and not request it for the September 15 th cycle. Mindy and Jack from the Attorney General’s office clarified that the funds will come in timelier than the funds have in the past. Blaine recommended that the interest from the funds is at a nice rate and that the interest could be used for the administrative part of the expenses and the entire principle amount could be used to fund the programs in all of the communities. Direction was given to request funds for the September 15th funding cycle. Kim suggested the direction and everyone on the Board agreed to the direction. SECOR is trending in the same direction as a lot of the other regions and is currently leading the state with getting the funds out the door and into providers’ hands to help the people needing assistance.

Rose also added a special Thank you to LaShelle from Crowley County as she has done an excellent job with the accounting and the communication on receipt of funds. Rose would like Blaine to communicate the Board’s appreciation to her.

VOTING ITEM: 2-Year Plan for the 2024 through 2026
Rob Oquist and Blaine Arbuthnot moved from the table the 2-year plan from the prior meeting, motion approved.

Discussion was had on the 2-year plan and how the percentages would be allocated.

  • Prevention and Education – 35%
  • Treatment and Criminal Justice – 35%
  • Harm Reduction – 10%
  • Recover 20% Opioid Abatement Planning & Admin – 10% (or less depending on costs & interest)

These percentages can be changed during the course of the year and adjusted to accommodate the needs of the communities.

Terri and Mindy spoke about the MAT services for the jails and the funding shortfall for the JBBS services for the MAT medication. They wanted the Board to know this information for future decisions on funding.

Rob Oquist and Blaine Arbuthnot moved and seconded the approval of the 2-year plan. A roll call vote was called:

  • Baca – Yes
  • Bent – Yes
  • Crowley County – Yes
  • Kiowa – Yes
  • Otero – Yes
  • Huerfano – Absent
  • Las Animas – Yes
  • Prowers – Yes
  • Pueblo – Yes

Motion approved.

Other Business
The RFP Committee discussed setting their meeting up for Thursday, October 3 rd at 2:30. Kim asked that the scoring sheets be emailed as soon as possible so the RFP Committee members could start their scoring of the applications for the meeting.

Rick Butler, Baca County, asked about mini-grants and if anyone had some information on policy for the schools to carry the Narcan in the schools. Meagan said she would get some information she had to him to help

Discussion was also had about the September 23 rd meeting and the board decided to cancel that meeting. The next meeting will be held on October 7th at 3:00.

Adjournment
Rob Oquist and Blaine Arbuthnot motioned to adjournment. – Motion approved

Next Meeting:
Monday, October 7, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.

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