Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES—The Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is working to convene a consortium for the Opioid Affected Youth Initiative. In October of 2019, MRPC was awarded a $997,000 grant for a two-phase, three-year project through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). MRPC was one of seven grant recipients nationwide for this round of funding.

The consortium will consist of members from law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, probation, children’s division, health care, mental health, prevention organizations, schools and counselors. During the initial phase, the consortium will meet monthly. 

Ultimately, the consortium is working to develop and implement an effective, data-driven, coordinated response that addresses the misuse of opioids and provides services to children, youth and families impacted by the opioid crisis in the Meramec region. The three-year project will be delivered in two phases. The first year will involve the planning phase that includes development of data sharing agreements, identifying gaps in resources and developing a plan for implementing service needs. Years two and three will include the implementation phase and will consist of the implementation of coordinated responses and services. 

MRPC recently hired Jane Johannsen, a former Steelville resident, and Rebecca Losing of St. James to work on program implementation. 

For additional information or interest in the consortium, contact Jane Johannsen at jjohannsen@meramecregion.org or via phone at 573-265-2993, ext. 149. 

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 27 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

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