County allocates $2.3 million from opioid settlements to add two CMH screening staff

County staff asked the board to approve using opioid-settlement funds—$2,295,097—to create two full-time clinical screening positions within Macomb County Community Mental Health (CMH) to support an upcoming Central Intake and Assessment Center.

Staff described the funding as coming from long-running settlement streams and said some settlements have remaining payments for many years; one staff member said a settlement in the county’s portfolio has about 15 years remaining. The new positions are intended to begin screening and to collect baseline data on mental-health and substance-use needs ahead of the center’s opening in 2027. Staff estimated HR hiring timeline averages about six months once positions are approved.

Commissioners asked about stationing and capacity in the new facility; staff said the building was sized to accommodate current estimates and that space planning allows for growth. The board approved referring the budget amendment to the full board, with unanimous support.