Allocating Opioid Settlement Funds for Lasting Community Benefit: How Counties Use Stage CARES to Strengthen Transparency, Accountability, and Compliance
This event will take place on Zoom Webinar. Please email nacomeetings@naco.org with any questions regarding registration or login issues.
Counties across the nation are working to allocate opioid settlement funds strategically, transparently, and in ways that generate lasting community benefit. This NACo-sponsored webinar will highlight Stage CARES’ patent-pending opioid abatement analytics technology platform. Stage CARES empowers counties to make data-driven decisions easily by streamlining community feedback, data collection, and demonstrating measurable outcomes.
Josh Speakman, Collector and Treasurer of Stoddard County, Missouri, and Dr. Audrey Arona, former CEO and District Health Medical Director for Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County, Georgia, will share county-level insights on the challenges and opportunities in effectively managing opioid settlement funds and how Stage CARES helps overcome them.
This session will explore practical approaches to:
- Align settlement investments with local priorities and community needs
- Track and manage budgets and disbursements with transparency and compliance
- Leverage data dashboards to monitor progress and inform decision-making
- Measure outcomes to demonstrate accountability and community impact and benefit
- Participants will gain practical strategies and real-world examples of how counties are partnering with Stage CARES to enhance transparency, strengthen coordination, and sustain impact and benefits in their communities’ opioid response
Featured Speakers
Josh Speakman
Collector and Treasurer, Stoddard County, Missouri
Josh has firsthand experience in managing public funds and implementing fiscal accountability at the county level. He offers a practical perspective on ensuring transparency, compliance, and measurable outcomes in the administration of opioid settlement investments.
Dr. Audrey Arona
Former CEO and District Health Medical Director for Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County, Georgia
Dr. Arona has extensive experience leading community health initiatives and advising counties on evidence-based strategies to address complex public health challenges. Her leadership in public health operations and clinical strategy provides valuable insight into how data and evidence can guide impactful opioid abatement programs.
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