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To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a SAARA Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and SAARA of Virginia, Inc. for the purpose of funding the Alive RVA Warm Line.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, be and is hereby authorized to execute a SAARA Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and SAARA of Virginia, Inc. for the purpose of funding the Alive RVA Warm Line. The SAARA Grant Contract shall be approved as to form by the City Attorney and shall be substantially in the form of the document attached to this ordinance.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
O&R Transmittal
DATE: July 22, 2026
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald II, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Tanikia Jackson, DCAO for Finance and Administration
THROUGH: Letitia Shelton, Director of Finance
THROUGH: Meghan Brown, Director of Budget and Strategic Planning
THROUGH: Amy Popovich, DCAO for Human Services
FROM: Jason Alley, Policy Advisor
RE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a grant contract by and between the City of Richmond and SAARA of
Virginia, Inc. for the purpose of funding the Alive RVA Warm Line.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a grant contract by and between the City of Richmond and SAARA of
Virginia, Inc. for the purpose of funding the Alive RVA Warm Line.
BACKGROUND: Ordinance No. 2023-293 authorized the City of Richmond to accept and appropriate $1,259,411.69 of opioid settlement funds to a new National Opioid Settlement Special Fund for the purpose of funding opioid abatement strategies and programs. Ordinance No. 2025-002 authorized the City of Richmond to accept and appropriate an additional $1,850,287.27 of opioid settlement funds to the National Opioid Settlement Special Fund for the purposes of funding opioid abatement and remediation strategies to combat the opioid crisis.
In consideration of the City of Richmond Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response’s grant of funds to SAARA of Virginia, Inc., SAARA of Virginia, Inc. shall utilize funds to expand communications and outreach capacity for the Alive RVA Warm Line. The Alive RVA Warm Line is a free, confidential, peer-run support service for people in recovery from substance use, their loved ones, and the community, offering listening, guidance, and referrals to local resources. SAARA of Virginia, Inc. shall use grant funds for a certified peer recovery specialist to act as the communications coordinator for the “warm line.” This person will be responsible for maintaining the communications platform for the “warm line,” as well as developing outreach efforts to promote awareness of the “warm line.” The recipient will also use funds for outreach materials associated with the program.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Opioid abatement and remediation strategies utilized by the City of Richmond have and continue to be informed by significant stakeholder engagement and developed with direct input and support from external agencies and subject matter experts, including the Richmond Opioid Task Force.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: Res. No. 2022-R013 declaring opioid drug overdose deaths as a public health crisis in the City of Richmond; Richmond Opioid
FISCAL IMPACT: There will be a reduction of $96,000.00 from the National Opioid Settlement Special Fund.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: September 14, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: October 13, 2026
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent agenda
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Education and Human Services
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Budget and Strategic Planning, Finance, Neighborhood and Community Services
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: Res. No. 2018-R094; Ord. No. 2021-234; Res. No. 2021-R078; Resolution 2022-R013; Res. No. 2023-R010; Ord. No. 2023-293; Ord. No. 2024-099; Ord. No. 2025-002.
ATTACHMENT: SAARA Grant Contract
STAFF: Anna Jones, Opioid Response Strategist, 804-987-9160, anna.jones@rva.gov <mailto:anna.jones@rva.gov>
Jason Alley, Policy Advisor, 804-401-5863, jason.alley@rva.gov <mailto:jason.alley@rva.gov>