Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 7/7/2026
Item Status: New
From: Tara Hazelbaker, Director of Finance
Submitted by: Katrina Taylor, Grants Administrator
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Agreement with CARE House, Inc. for Opioid Settlement Funding
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve the Agreement between CARE House, Inc. and the Baldwin County Commission for the provision of trauma-informed child advocacy and related opioid-impact services for a one (1) year period, in the amount of $150,000.00, to be funded through Opioid Settlement Funds.
The Agreement commences on July 7, 2026, and terminates on June 30, 2027.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: In 2023, the Alabama Legislature enacted Act 2023 384, establishing the Alabama Opioid Settlement Fund and creating a statewide framework for the distribution, oversight, and allowable use of opioid remediation funds. The Act requires that all opioid settlement proceeds received by counties and municipalities be used exclusively for evidence based opioid abatement activities. It further outlines priority categories for prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction initiatives; establishes reporting and accountability expectations; and directs local governments to ensure that expenditures align with the State’s approved opioid abatement strategies. Act 2023 384 also emphasizes transparency, measurable outcomes, and responsible stewardship of settlement funds to ensure long term, sustainable impacts on reducing opioid misuse and overdose in Alabama communities.
CARE House, Inc. (Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center) provides mandated, trauma informed services for children impacted by caregiver opioid and substance misuse, including forensic interviews, trauma focused therapy, family advocacy, and multidisciplinary team coordination. The organization supports 200-250 children annually in substance affected cases and delivers more than 1,200 counseling sessions per year at no cost to families. CARE House has requested $150,000.00 in opioid settlement funding to sustain these critical services and reduce long term strain on county systems associated with opioid related child welfare cases.
Previous Commission action/date:
June 16, 2026 - BCC approved Amendment No. 1 to Resolution #2026-081 Exhibit A regarding the Adoption of the Opioid Settlement Funding Program.
May 5, 2026 - BCC adopted Resolution #2026-081 which approved the Baldwin County Commission Opioid Settlement Funding Program.
March 17, 2026 - BCC adopted Resolution #2026-067 authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to Join The State Of Alabama and Other Local Governments as Participants in Current and Future Opioid Settlements Related to Associated Pharmacies, Inc.; American Associated Pharmacies; J M Smith Corporation; Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; Morris & Dickson Co.; North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; United Natural Foods, Inc. (Including Without Limitation Its Direct and Indirect Subsidiaries Supervalu, Inc., Adv Ant Age Logistics Southwest, Inc., Advantage Logistics USA West, L.L.C., Advantage Logistics USA East, L.L.C., And Unfi Distribution Company, LLC) Collectively, and All Their Past and Present Subsidiaries (Excluding, in The Case of United Natural Foods, Inc., New Albertsons, Inc. (A Former Subsidiary of Supervalu, Inc.)) (The "Remnant Defendants").
January 6, 2026 - BCC approved the Agreement between AltaPointe Health Systems Inc. and the Baldwin County Commission for the Assisted Outpatient Treatment / Crisis Response Team for a one (1) year period in the amount of $384,687.00 to be supplemented by Opioid Funds for cases with documented correlation to opioid addiction. The Agreement commences January 6, 2026, and terminates December 31, 2026.
August 19, 2025 - BCC adopted Resolution # 2025-172: A Resolution Authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to Join the State of Alabama and Other Local Governments as Participants in Current and Future Opioid Settlements.
August 5, 2025 - BCC approved the use of Opioid Funds in the amount of $70,600.00, for an Opioid Awareness Campaign through iHeart Media.
July 16, 2024 - BCC adopted Resolution #2024-145: A Resolution authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to join the State of Alabama and other local governments as participants in current and future opioid settlements.
April 16, 2024 - BCC adopted Resolution #2024-111: A Resolution authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to join the State of Alabama and other local governments as participants in current and future opioid settlements.
February 24, 2023 - BCC adopted Resolution #2023-69: A resolution authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to join the State of Alabama and other local governments as participants in the Walmart settlement, and authorized the Chairman, staff and the County’s attorneys to execute any documents and to take any and all actions deemed necessary to affect the settlement; and adopted Resolution #2023-70: A resolution authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to join the State of Alabama and other local governments as participants in the Walgreens settlement, and authorized the Chairman, staff and the County’s attorneys to execute any documents and to take any and all actions deemed necessary to affect the settlement; and adopted Resolution #2023-71: A resolution authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to join the State of Alabama and other local governments as participants in the CVS settlement, and authorized the Chairman, staff and the County’s attorneys to execute any documents and to take any and all actions deemed necessary to affect the settlement; and adopted Resolution #2023-72: A resolution authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to join the State of Alabama and other local governments as participants in the Teva settlement, and authorized the Chairman, staff and the County’s attorneys to execute any documents and to take any and all actions deemed necessary to affect the settlement; and adopted Resolution #2023-73: A resolution authorizing Baldwin County, Alabama, to join the State of Alabama and other local governments as participants in the Allergan settlement, and authorized the Chairman, staff and the County’s attorneys to execute any documents and to take any and all actions deemed necessary to affect the settlement.
January 18, 2022 - BCC approved the proposed settlement agreement with Endo in connection with that certain case captioned State of Alabama vs. Purdue Pharma, L. P., et al. (Civil Action No. 03-CV-2019-901174.00) (Ala. Cir. Ct. Montgomery County), on the condition that Baldwin County’s election and approval to participate in the Endo Settlement Agreement is specifically conditioned on Baldwin County receiving the full amount of its settlement allocation listed under Exhibit B of the Settlement Sign-On without offset or payment to any other parties; and authorized the Chairman, staff and the County’s attorneys to execute any documents and to take any and all actions deemed necessary to affect the proposed settlement with Endo.
January 2, 2018 - BCC adopted Resolution #2018-040, a Resolution of the Baldwin County Commission approving the filing of Civil Complaint against manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids; and approved the Chairman to execute an Engagement to Represent document, which authorizes the Baldwin County Commission to retain the law firm LEVIN, PAPANTONIO, THOMAS, MITCHELL, RAFFERTY & PROCTOR, PA, pursuant to the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct and Alabama Code § 12-17-184 (8), on a contingent fee basis, to pursue all civil remedies against those in the chain of distribution of prescription opiates responsible for the opioid epidemic which is plaguing Baldwin County, Alabama including, but not limited to, filing a claim for public nuisance to abate the damages caused thereby.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: $150,000.00
Budget line item(s) to be used: 03170060.52900 - Appropriations
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents? Yes
Reviewed/approved by: Reviewed and approved by Brad Hicks, County Attorney, on 6/11/2026. (KDT)
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Administration.
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Send NOA email with executed copy of Agreement to: Niki Whitaker, Executive Director of CARE House, Inc. (nwhitaker@baldwincountycac.org).
cc: Roger Rendleman, Tara Hazelbaker, Aislinn Stone, Christie Bezoari, Katrina Taylor, Shelby Middleton
Additional instructions/notes: N/A