Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign an agreement with The Social Changery to provide opioid education materials to increase awareness of opioid-related harms and participate in the Substance Use Education Decoded Campaign for the period of upon execution to June 30, 2029 in the amount of $450,000; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($45,000) of the amended contract amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed the maximum aggregate amount of $495,000.
Report
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign an agreement with The Social Changery to provide opioid education materials to increase awareness of opioid-related harms and participate in the Substance Use Education Decoded Campaign for the period of upon execution to June 30, 2029 in the amount of $450,000; and
b. Authorize the Director of the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($45,000) of the amended contract amount, do not significantly change the scope of work, and do not exceed the maximum aggregate amount of $495,000.
SUMMARY:
The Health Department will partner with The Social Changery to build upon Monterey County’s existing opioid prevention and harm reduction initiatives. The opioid education campaign will focus on youth and young adults while expanding outreach to parents, caregivers, and broader community stakeholders to strengthen awareness, prevention, and community engagement efforts.
DISCUSSION:
Opioid-related overdose remains a significant public health concern across California and Monterey County. Statewide, opioid-related deaths increased from 7,385 in 2022 to 7,847 in 2023. In Monterey County, opioid-related deaths rose from 31 in 2022 to 49 in 2023, reflecting a concerning local trend (California Department of Public Health, California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard). Additionally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence Dashboard (June 2024-May 2025, most recent 12-month period available), 98 Monterey County residents died from unintentional or undetermined intent drug overdoses, representing a rate of 22.8 deaths per 100,000 residents. These data underscore the continued need for timely, evidence-informed prevention and overdose response efforts targeted to local communities.
The County of Monterey Health Department collaborates with numerous community partners to address opioid misuse and reduce overdose-related harms, including The Social Changery. For nearly a decade, The Social Changery has implemented trauma-informed behavioral health and public health campaigns focused on strengthening community capacity and advancing prevention efforts.
Through this partnership, the Health Department will build upon Monterey County’s existing opioid prevention and harm reduction initiatives by expanding community education and engagement efforts. The campaign will be designed to respond to emerging data, community needs, and opportunities for impact and will focus on youth and young adults while expanding outreach to parents, caregivers, and broader community stakeholders.
Activities will include increasing awareness of fentanyl risks and overdose prevention; expanding access to harm reduction resources, including naloxone and test strips; equipping parents and caregivers to engage in informed, nonjudgmental conversations; strengthening distribution systems for existing and newly developed educational materials; and increasing engagement through digital outreach, community-based strategies, and media campaigns.
This work advances the County of Monterey Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goal 1: Build community power and partners’ capacity to increase equity and improve health. It also supports one of the Ten Essential Public Health Service: 3: Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Offices of the County Counsel and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this agreement as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
This item was unanimously supported by The Social Changery, on August 3, 2026.
FINANCING:
This agreement is 100% funded through Opioid Settlement Funding. There are sufficient appropriations in the Health Department’s (1001-400026) FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This Agreement will support efforts to increase awareness of opioid risks and overdose prevention to promote safe, healthy, and resilient communities where all residents can thrive. These efforts align with the County Strategic Plan Goal: Well-Being and Quality of Life.
Mark a check next to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
X Well-Being and Quality of Life
____Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____Safe and Resilient Communities
____Diverse and Thriving Economy
____Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
Prepared by: Veronica Salinas, Management Analyst, 755-4630
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director or Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Agreement