What Community Corrections Agencies Need to Know About Opioid Abatement Funding

SESSION INFO

Tuesday, August 29, 2023
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Session Type: Workshop

The overdose crisis continues to impact the lives of countless people across the United States. As America seeks options to address this crisis, states, counties, cities, and tribes have begun to see an influx of dollars from litigation against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies that can be used to address substance use. This estimated $40 billion could provide much-needed opportunities for innovation. This session will provide an overview of what community corrections agencies need to know about opioid abatement funding and examples of how probation and parole agencies should partner with treatment and recovery support agencies to access this critical funding for their clients.

SESSION PRESENTERS

Tara Lynn Kunkel
Founder, Rulo Strategies


Tara Kunkel, MSW, has served as the Executive Director of Rulo Strategies since 2020. Before founding Rulo Strategies, Tara served as a Senior Drug Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice, where she led the implementation of the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP). Under Tara’s leadership, the COSSAP program grew from a $27 million grant program in 2017 to $187 million in 2019. Tara also served as a consultant for the National Center for States for more than nine years leading, managing, and evaluating projects at all points in the justice system, from diversion programs, pretrial supervision, courts, probation, and corrections. Tara Kunkel began her career in the justice field, working for Chesterfield County, Virginia, as a Community Corrections Officer and Criminal Justice Planner. During this time period, she oversaw the development of the day reporting center and adult drug court. Ms. Kunkel has extensive experience managing and directing complex federal grants. She has also led national-scale initiatives at the federal level. Tara Kunkel, MSW, has served as the Executive Director of Rulo Strategies since 2020. Before founding Rulo Strategies, Tara served as a Senior Drug Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice, where she led the implementation of the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP). Under Tara’s leadership, the COSSAP program grew from a $27 million grant program in 2017 to $187 million in 2019. Tara also served as a consultant for the National Center for States for more than nine years leading, managing, and evaluating projects at all points in the justice system, from diversion programs, pretrial supervision, courts, probation, and corrections. Tara Kunkel began her career in the justice field, working for Chesterfield County, Virginia, as a Community Corrections Officer and Criminal Justice Planner. During this time period, she oversaw the development of the day reporting center and adult drug court. Ms. Kunkel has extensive experience managing and directing complex federal grants. She has also led national-scale initiatives at the federal level. Ms. Kunkel holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University.