New National Association of Counties cohort joins state associations of counties to share best practices in implementing opioid settlement funds

The UT SMART Initiative is now part of a national program dedicated to maximizing the effectiveness of opioid settlement funds. Across the country, 10 state associations of counties—to be known as Ambassadors—were chosen to join the National Association of Counties (NACo) Opioid Solutions Leadership Network (OSLN). The OSLN, an initiative launched in 2022 and presented through a partnership with Vital Strategies and the Pew Charitable Trusts, brings together leaders in county government to share best practices for evidence-based strategies to address the opioid epidemic.

“Serving alongside the Tennessee Counties Services Association in the Opioid Solutions Leadership Network is an invaluable opportunity to learn more about how state opioid councils and county associations are working together to provide hands-on assistance to local governments to effectively spend opioid settlement dollars,” said Dr. Jennifer Tourville, SMART’s executive director. 

The OSLN Ambassadors program recognizes the crucial role that state associations of counties play in scaling the impact of resources, navigating state-specific terms and conditions for opioid settlements and fostering timely, responsive solutions to the opioid epidemic. This new cohort joins an existing group of county leaders, building a larger network that bridges resources and peer learning across local, state and federal levels of government. 

Tourville will represent the organization in the 8-month peer learning cohort, including discussions with national subject matter experts and the creation of an action plan to enhance SMART’s educational and advocacy capacity to assist Tennessee’s counties in responding to the opioid epidemic.

“The strategies and programs we learn about through this initiative will bolster our efforts to assist Tennessee counties as the official partner of the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council,” Tourville says.

Opioid settlements continue to be finalized, adding to the more than $50 billion already being distributed at the state and local level, with payments set to continue for over a decade. County governments administering these resources face a complex landscape of needs and demands and have opportunities to drive investments that will shape public health systems, law enforcement, emergency services and social support networks for people at risk of overdose, including rural communities as well as historically marginalized populations. Members of the OSLN are critical partners in information dissemination, state policy advocacy, peer learning and technical assistance.

To view all OSLN cohort members and learn more about the initiative, visit www.naco.org/opioid. 

The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, including nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate for county government priorities in federal policymaking; promote exemplary county policies and practices; nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks; optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings; and enrich the public’s understanding of county government.