Foothills agency asks counties to help expand opioid recovery program after 43 participants enrolled

David Eastaff, who identified himself as executive director of the Foothills Community Action Agency, told county officials the agency developed a Supportive Services for Recovery Enhancement program to address opioid addiction in the region.

Eastaff said the program received $500,000 in grant funding in 2024 through a state funding source he named during the meeting (the transcript rendered the name as the "Kentucky Hopewell and Evading Commission," which could not be independently verified in the recording). "We wrote a grant for this program originally... and we received $500,000," Eastaff said.

Cynthia Romand and Brandon Campbell described program operations and outcomes. Romand said the program received 91 applicants between February and December and enrolled 43 clients; she noted 10 enrolled participants were from Estill County. "Out of those 91 applicants, we were able to enroll 43 clients," Romand said. Staff described services including intensive case management, links to medical care, SNAP and Medicaid enrollment, childcare supports, housing assistance (including voucher use) and employment coaching. Staff said case managers make in‑home visits and require at least weekly phone contact.

Presenters described screening and program accountability measures — motivation screening, drug testing and ongoing case management — and said the Attorney General's office had certified the program as meeting funding requirements. They also described an operational funding gap: the state portal for the funding source is closed until July, creating about a six‑month pause in state funding. To bridge gaps and expand services, Foothills offered a local match of up to $100,000 and asked counties to consider matching funds; presenters estimated $100,000 could support about 15–20 participants in a locality.

Why this matters: presenters said the program produces measurable returns to communities by placing clients into housing and work, reducing crisis responses and reconnecting families. The meeting transcript contains an unclear numeric reading when presenters referenced average household income gains among participants; that numeric figure in the recording could not be verified and is not stated here.

Next steps: Foothills said they will continue county outreach, accept referrals, and seek county match commitments to sustain service until state funding resumes. Officials asked follow-up questions about participant eligibility, whether the program serves men and women (staff said it serves both), and how referrals from courts and recovery centers would be handled.