MMA webinar to cover use of opioid settlement funds

A free MMA webinar on Sept. 26 will review issues and strategies related to the use of opioid settlement funds. Speakers will include (pictured clockwise from top left) Liz Leingang and Brittney Garrett from the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative, Dan Cortez, community engagement specialist with the Chelsea Police Department, Cheryl Sbarra, Massachusetts Association of Health Boards.

A free MMA webinar on Sept. 26 will review issues and strategies related to the use of opioid settlement funds.

Julia Newhall from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Cheryl Sbarra from the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards will give an overview of the state statute that established the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund and Advisory Council, as well as key components of the Massachusetts State Subdivision Agreement, including shared commitment for opioid abatement, approved strategies municipalities are permitted to fund, reporting requirements, and resources provided by Care Massachusetts: The Opioid Abatement Partnership.

Liz Leingang and Brittney Garrett from the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative will discuss programs eligible for funding, potential barriers to distribution, and examples of how these funds are being leveraged across the country.

Dan Cortez, community engagement specialist with the Chelsea Police Department, and Vicky Butler, executive director of Plymouth County Outreach, will discuss how opioid settlement funds can be distributed to benefit existing programs.

The 75-minute webinar will begin at noon. Online registration is available.

Only MMA members may register for this webinar. Members include appointed or elected officials from MMA member communities across the state. Media members are not permitted to attend.

For more information, contact MMA Membership and Project Assistant Maddie Roberts at mroberts@mma.org.