Governor Dan McKee’s Overdose Task Force Application for Work Group Co-Chairs

Background and Summary: 

Governor Dan McKee’s Overdose Task Force and the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) are dedicated to implementing a comprehensive approach to address the substance use and overdose epidemic in Rhode Island. The Governor’s Overdose Task Force has developed a strategic plan to end the overdose crisis in our state. The plan focuses on ensuring racial equity, uplifting community voices, using data to drive change, and building connections to care. 

The Overdose Task Force and its work groups serve as the central body focused on a whole of government approach to reverse the overdose crisis in our state. Work groups meet monthly for one to two hours, bringing together members of the public, representatives from community-based organizations, academia, healthcare professionals, and State agencies. Each work group is co-chaired by both a representative from a State agency and a member of the community.  

The following Task Force work group co-chair positions are open: 

1. Prevention Strategy Work Group
2. Rescue Work Group 

Racial equity and diverse community partnerships are fundamental components of the Task Force and remain priorities for all initiatives. The present work group application aims to ensure participation and equitable representation of diverse groups of people in all Overdose Task Force activities.  

Co-chairs will:   

1. Ensure racial equity is embedded across all Overdose Task Force pillars.
2. Strengthen community voices by lifting concerns and ideas among those with lived or living experience.
3. Increase community member participation during work group meetings.
4. Increase representation of people of color, particularly Task Force leadership positions.
5. Increase representation and participation of people of color during Overdose Task Force work group meetings. 

Co-chairs will carry out the following responsibilities: 

• Co-facilitate monthly work group meetings, as needed.
• Actively participate in monthly co-chair subgroup meetings led by the Overdose Task Force Director, as needed.
• Actively participate in the development of monthly work group agendas.
• Attend Governor’s Overdose Task Force monthly meetings and present work group updates, when applicable.
• Attend scheduled Work Group meetings
• Actively participate in Overdose Task Force strategic planning.
• Offer recommendations to the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee (OSAC).
• Participate and/or collaborate with other Task Force work groups, when applicable. 

To recognize and reimburse community co-chairs for their time and effort, the Governor’s Overdose Task Force provides stipends of up to $4,950/year.  

Applicant Eligibility  

Eligible applicants are community members with lived and/or work experience who have served, supported, and/or engaged with communities impacted by overdose in Rhode Island. Work group co-chairs must commit to a two-year term. 

Due to purchasing processes and rules, all individuals or organizations (public and private) must set up an account through Ocean State Procures (OSP).  

The following is a list of preferred criteria that will be prioritized during the application review process: 

To Apply 

The Work Group Co-chair Application is available online here.  

Requirements  

• Eligible applicants are community members who have lived and/or work experience who have served, supported, and/or engaged with communities impacted by overdose in Rhode Island. Due to stipend payment restrictions, applicants must be willing to or registered in the State’s Ocean State Procurement System.   
• Applications are reviewed and approved by the Task Force Director, Task Force leadership, and the Governor’s Office.
• Approved applicants will participate in an orientation and be provided with supportive resource materials for facilitation and other relevant tools.