Opioid Settlement Funds Dashboard

Vision

Rockland County’s vision for the use of the Opioid Settlement Funds is to transform the substance use disorder (SUD) system of care through the creation of new, sustainable interventions, supports and services. All service provision and planning are viewed through the lens of sustainability, as we wanted to ensure that funding is used wisely to systematically transform services and supports with maximum long-term benefits to the residents of Rockland.  

Background

During the height of the opioid epidemic, state and local governments brought lawsuits against the opioid pharmaceutical and drug distribution companies. It was alleged that these companies fueled the opioid crisis by marketing opioids in misleading ways by downplaying risks and exaggerating benefits, which resulted in reckless distribution practices. Rockland County joined in several of these nationwide lawsuits to hold the pharmaceutical and drug distribution companies accountable.

Rockland County began to receive payments from numerous settlements in 2022 and is expected to receive intermittent payments through 2038. The term of each settlement differs greatly and includes varied payment amounts, payment schedules and allowed usages. Payment timeframes have ranged from single payment settlements up to and including 16 years of annual payments. Settlement payment amounts and schedules are often variable with fluctuating installment payments from year to year. Additionally, some of the cases have been settled and others are ongoing.

Although each settlement has distinct terms which dictate the approved uses, funds can be broadly used to address substance use disorders treatment, recovery, prevention, training, planning and coordination, and research of opioid use and opioid use disorders.

Rockland County’s Collaborative Approach to Planning

Upon notification of the forthcoming awards, the Rockland County Department of Mental Health (RCDMH) initiated outreach events for the residents of Rockland County to obtain feedback regarding needs within the community. Annual events have been held since the notification of these funds, as follows:

• On January 28, 2022 RCDMH convened an Opioid Settlement Funds advisory meeting. This group of local stakeholders convened to discuss current gaps and needs within the Rockland County Substance Use Disorder System of Care and to provide their input on creating new services and supports.
• On March 29, 2023 RCDMH convened the Opioid Settlement Community Forum in person at the Fire Training Center.  Many residents were in attendance and provided in-person feedback, additionally a survey was provided for further feedback.
• Local Services Planning is done by RCDMH on an annual basis to create goals and objectives for Mental Health, Substance Use and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Rockland County. During the planning process, feedback and input is obtained from the residents of Rockland County via in-person or virtual forums. Input from these annual meetings is dually used for both the Local Services Plan and the Opioid Settlement Funds plan.

Annual public meetings will continue to be held to obtain ongoing community input and feedback. It is expected that these events will occur every May and will be offered virtually to increase access and participation. Meeting information will be posted on all Rockland County Government social media accounts as well as on the Rockland County Mental Health homepage.

To provide immediate feedback, please email: rcdmh@co.rockland.ny.us.

Rockland County's Identified Needs, Plan, and Progress

Rockland County created a comprehensive plan for the opioid settlement funds based on the feedback and input received from the community. This plan will be continually updated based on ongoing feedback, input, and the changing needs of the community. 

Single Point of Access Helpline

Identified Need: Create a dedicated behavioral health helpline that will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year that will be staffed by trained clinicians to provide behavioral health (substance use and mental health) information and support, referral to services and supports, connection to crisis services and follow-up to ensure connection to the system of care.

Plan and Progress: This innovative and new service has been in the planning process since 2023. The vision for this new service was innovated and sketched out in 2023 and a Request for Proposals was issued in 2024. Based on RFP responses, an award was made to Samaritan Daytop Village in December 2024. Since then, the foundation of this project has been gradually assembled, and we expect this service to go live in early 2026.

Housing

Identified Need: Create new housing opportunities for residents in recovery to access safe and appropriate housing. Improve availability of substance use disorder residential and housing programs via the establishment of the Oxford House model.

Plan and Progress: In 2024, The Oxford House model of peer-run, sober housing was established in Rockland County. Through this funding, Rockland County has been able to support the establishment of two (2) Oxford houses throughout the county. Oxford house is the only recovery home model that is approved as an evidence-based model through SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration) as an effective model for sober housing. This model establishes a peer-run, safe, affordable, and drug-free living environment for residents in active recovery.

Prevention/Intervention for Misuse of Opioids

Identified Needs: Expand efforts to prevent or reduce use of substances through universal screenings, early intervention and education. Create a plan to work with local prevention providers to provide information, supports and interventions to prevent the misuse of opioids.

Plan and Progress: Rockland County is creating a Request of Proposals to contract with a provider to establish and maintain up to 4 Narcan (Naloxone) Vending machines within Rockland County. Narcan vending machines is a harm reduction strategy used to provide essential harm reduction supplies to people who use drugs, their families and loved ones. These vending machines are similar to snack vending machines but will be stocked with harm reductions supplies such as naloxone (Narcan), Fentanyl and Xylazine test strips, and other lifesaving supplies and information.

Rockland County also plans on issuing an RFP for prevention services throughout the county to address misinformation, reduce risk factors and increase protective factors.

Identify Intermediate Level of Care

Identified Need: Identify alternatives to the emergency department for youth with opioid use disorder. This includes identifying an alternative to inpatient treatment for youth, as there is currently no inpatient level of care within the region.

Plan and Progress: To be further explored upon establishment of Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center.

Funds Received & Expended

Rockland County has received funds in the past year directly from the National Opioid Settlement (Direct) and from the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). These funds have been used to plan, develop and implement various initiatives from Rockland County’s OSF plan, as stated above.

The following Opioid Settlement Funds have been received and expended in the past year:

*Expended amount only reflects expenses paid through Quarter 1 of 2025. Payment is pending for Quarters 2 and 3. Payment should be processed by the end of 2025. 

**Expended amount only reflects expenses paid through Quarter 2 of 2025. Payment is pending for Quarter 3. Payment should be processed by the end of 2025.