Opioid grant being shared in Plumas
Director of Plumas County Public Health Agency Andrew Woodruff requested the Board of Supervisors approve a supplemental budget for unanticipated revenues in the amount of $83,300 at the Tuesday, Jan. 8, board meeting.
This funding is from the Health Resources and Services Administration for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program.
Subcontracts are to go to Eastern Plumas Health Care for $13,758, Plumas county Behavior Health for $9,026, Plumas County Jail for $14,034, Plumas County Jail Medical for Dr. Schad’s services for $12,525 and for Dr. May’s services for $12,525, to Plumas District Hospital for $13,136 and to Seneca Healthcare district for $13,036. County Counsel had approved the amounts, Woodruff explained.
According to Woodruff, the health agency received a grant award for $200,000. The $83,300 is a portion of that grant.
“The subcontractors will serve as the HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Grant representative and participate in planning activities proposed in, and supported by this grant,” he explained.
Activities include working with the director to conduct a gap analysis in regard to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) of substance use-disorders involving opiates, compile a countywide gap analysis, develop a strategic plan for implementation of MAT, compile a countywide strategic plan, create a workforce plan that outlines key treatment team members and their support team, outline any training that needs to occur, create a countywide workforce plan, create a sustainability plan to keep MAT ongoing and create a countywide sustainability plan.
Salary schedule change In another request, Woodruff asked supervisors to authorize him to hire above the “B” step for the position of Public Health Program Division Chief. This position was vacated last year when Zach Revene was promoted.
Woodruff explained during the meeting that the department flew the position once and didn’t find the kind of candidate they wanted. Upon a second recruitment, he said they found the perfect applicant, but that person’s experience and education was above what was covered in the county’s existing rate recommendation.
“The candidate shares public health’s values and is a dynamic public health leader with unique programmatic, administrative and clinical experience,” Woodruff told supervisors. The candidate, whose name wasn’t mentioned, accepted the position based the outcome of supervisors’ decision.
“I have considered this outstanding candidate’s experience and background and believe this individual to be an outstandingly skilled and competent incumbent,” Woodruff said.
County Counsel Craig Settlemire recommended that the discussion wait until closed session. Since this concerned personnel, closed session was an acceptable place to discuss the employee and the request. No action was taken during closed session.
