The Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo) has selected representatives from 20 counties across the Commonwealth to participate in the KACo Opioid Solutions Network (KOSN), a new leadership cohort focused on helping counties invest opioid settlement funds in innovative, evidence-based and locally driven ways.
County leaders in Boone, Breathitt, Carroll, Clark, Estill, Graves, Grayson, Hardin, Jessamine, Lewis, Magoffin, Marion, Mason, Owen, Powell, Todd, Trigg, Trimble, Wayne and Woodford counties will take part in the inaugural cohort.
“Each of these counties has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting addiction recovery in their communities,” said KACo Executive Director Jim Henderson. “When equipped with the right tools and information, counties can make investments that create a positive ripple effect for generations to come.”
Beginning this spring, KOSN will bring together county leaders for peer learning, technical assistance and regional site visits centered on practical strategies to address the opioid crisis. The program will highlight approaches already working in Kentucky, particularly those supported by national opioid settlement funding.
Opioid settlement funds are payments from drug manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies to resolve lawsuits brought by states and local governments related to the opioid crisis. Distributions from these settlements began in 2022, with Kentucky expected to receive approximately $1 billion dollars over the coming years.
Working with the Kentucky Attorney General’s office, KACo helped ensure counties receive their fair share of this funding, which must be used for opioid abatement efforts such as treatment, prevention and harm reduction.
Led by KACo Opioid Settlement Advisor Lauren Carr, KOSN is modeled after the National Association of Counties’ Opioid Solutions Leadership Network. Carr, along with Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore, Harlan County Judge/Executive Dan Mosley, and Madison County Judge/Executive Reagan Taylor, previously served on the national leadership group that examined successful recovery strategies across the country.
“Seeing proven program models up close is often an aha moment for county leaders,” Carr said. “KACo’s Opioid Solutions Network builds on insights learned at the national level and creates opportunities for idea-sharing and collaboration in Kentucky.”
Throughout the program, participating counties will receive support from state partners to strengthen their local response to the opioid crisis. This includes guidance on establishing opioid advisory groups, pursuing Recovery Ready Community certification and developing strategic action plans to guide the use of opioid settlement dollars.
KOSN participants will develop a project or strategy aimed at improving how opioid settlement funds are used locally. These efforts will culminate in presentations during the 52nd Annual KACo Conference in November, where cohort members will share their work, lessons learned and innovative ideas with county leaders from across the Commonwealth.
To learn more about opioid settlement funds in Kentucky, visit KACo’s resource page or contact Lauren Carr at laren.carr@kaco.org.
