Justification
Governor's Recommendations 2023-24

The Governor's Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 includes $4,274,476 department-wide, 1,746,830 in salary
rate, and 22 positions to establish the Opioid Recovery Office within the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This
issue is funded by a nation-wide settlement agreement negotiated with opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers,
the proceeds of which will be used to abate the opioid epidemic.  The Opioid Recovery Office will oversee and monitor the
use of these settlement funds and its statewide recovery initiatives, research and development of clinical protocols,
evidence-based practices, and data frameworks.  The 22 positions will consist of research analysts, epidemiologists,
outreach specialists, consultants, and clinical evaluators. These experts will focus on improving coordination and
raising clinical care to national best practice levels to aid patients, communities, and families on their road to
coordinated opioid recovery.

DCF is responsible for the oversight of a statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of
children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance abuse disorders.  A key objective of DCF is to combat the
growing pandemic of opioid abuse impacting many of Florida's communities and families.  The Opioid Recovery Office will
assemble a group of experts consisting of research analysts, epidemiologists, outreach specialists, consultants, and
clinical evaluators.  These experts will focus on improving coordination and raising clinical care to national best
practice levels to aid patients, communities, and families on their road to recovery.