Platte County weighs general‑fund support, donors and opioid settlement dollars to preserve Family Resource Center coordinator

Platte County iscussion of the public health budget focused on preserving the Family Resource Center (FRC) coordinator position after full grant funding ends Sept. 30.

Public health representative Penny told commissioners the department requested $15,000 to retain the FRC coordinator full‑time. Staff proposed a blended funding approach that would shift a modest general‑fund share ($775 per month) together with opioid‑settlement dollars (estimated at $625 per month toward eligible client caseloads) and private donations; Penny reported an additional $10,000 award from a community foundation and said other private donors were in conversation.

"That would be the general fund input: $775 a month," Penny explained, adding that operations are largely covered by grants and that direct care assistance has been supplemented by donations. She said the county could reduce state reimbursement coding to offset salary preservation without changing the public health appropriation overall.

Commissioners asked about the FRC lease—the office has a lease through Sept. 30—and contingency plans if pending grant approvals do not materialize. Penny said if needed the coordinator could be relocated into the public health office so services would continue, though she acknowledged a separate FRC location reduces stigma and encourages walk‑in access.

The board did not take an immediate final vote on the blended funding proposal at the meeting; staff said they would continue working with the state grant office and private donors and return with final appropriation language if required.