March 2026 Minutes

Members in Attendance: Matt Lynch, Randy Ecker, Heath Bechler, Tonya LeBrun, Rena Cole (online), Jennifer Mackey (online), Steven Kamau (online), Dave Dahl (online), Phillip Brownlee (online)

City/County Representatives: Russell Leeds, Tim Hallacy, Kirk Sponsel, Joe Thomas, Armand Shukaev Josh Lauber (online), Courtney Carpenter (online), Nate Johnson (online)

Guest: Angela Fuller, Joshua Gaines, Kaylee Hervey, Suzana Hernandez, Chris Guild (online)

Pre-Meeting Materials: Members were pre-provided with the meeting agenda via email, and the minutes from January 26, 2026.

1. Call to Order & Introductions:

          a. Meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m. by Matt Lynch (President).

          b. Attendance included both in-person and online participants; cited above. Nine voting members were present for a quorum.

2. Action Item: Approval of Minutes

          a. The Coalition reviewed minutes from February 23, 2026. No corrections were offered. Motion to approve minutes by Randy Ecker, seconded by Tonya LeBrun. Motion carried unanimously.

3. Action Item: Presentation of supplemental funding for opioid and addiction intervention in Wichita / Sedgwick County 2025 – 2026

          a. Sunflower Foundation Kansas Fights Addiction grant awards

• Tim Hallacy (Sedgwick County Manager’s Office) presented an overview of Kansas Fights Addiction (KFA) funding allocations relevant to Sedgwick County. The presentation provided context regarding existing programs funded through state opioid settlement allocations and how those programs support prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. Examples of organizations receiving funding included Mirror, Inc., St. Francis Ministries, Prime Fit Youth Foundation, and HealthCore Clinic. Programs supported through these funds include recovery housing assistance, behavioral health services, youth prevention programs, and expanded medication-assisted treatment capacity. Coalition members discussed concerns regarding potential duplication of services and the importance of ensuring transparency regarding other grant funding sources during the RFP evaluation process. It was noted that applicant disclosures and evaluation criteria will help ensure funding complements rather than duplicates existing services.

• Angela Fuller, Deputy Chief for Sedgwick County EMS, provided an overview of the EMS leave-behind naloxone program. Since early 2025, EMS has distributed naloxone kits to individuals treated for suspected overdose who decline transport. Approximately 40 kits have been distributed to date. EMS is partnering with Wichita State University through the Suspenders4Hope initiative to distribute care kits containing naloxone, fentanyl test strips, resource guides, and other harm reduction materials. Additional Hope kits are also available to address mental health needs.  Coalition members discussed ensuring treatment provider resource lists remain comprehensive and inclusive of available services within the community.

          b. CDC Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant awards

• Joshua Gaines, Program Manager for the Sedgwick County Health Department’s Overdose Prevention Program, provided an overview of the CDC-funded OD2A Local grant. The program includes community health workers who engage individuals experiencing substance use challenges and connect them with services such as housing, treatment, employment assistance, and other community resources.  Data analysts within the program monitor overdose trends and geographic patterns to guide prevention strategies and outreach efforts. In 2024, Sedgwick County recorded 123 overdose deaths, with opioids involved in approximately 73% of cases and fentanyl present in nearly two-thirds of deaths.  The program uses this data to inform naloxone distribution, harm reduction education, and public health interventions throughout the community.

          c. Wichita Liquor Tax Coalition grant awards

• Josh Lauber presented an overview of the City of Wichita Special Liquor Tax Program, codified by city ordinance pursuant to Kansas statute governing the use of liquor tax revenues for substance abuse prevention and treatment. The City conducts a Request for Proposal process approximately every three years. The most recent procurement occurred in August 2025 with final awards approved December 16, 2025. Sixteen proposals from ten agencies requested approximately $2.8 million in funding, with $2.75 million recommended for award. Liquor tax funding supports detoxification services, prevention programs, treatment programs, and continuum-of-care services following treatment. The program is administered through the City's Special Alcohol Programs Fund and currently represents approximately $3.4 million annually. Wichita State University's Public Policy and Management Center assist with program monitoring and reporting.

4. Other Business: The next meeting set for April 20, 2026

     Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:02 p.m.

    The next Wichita-Sedgwick County Addiction Intervention Coalition Meeting will be on April 20, 2026.                                                                             (Changed to May 18, 2026)