The Task Force is setting out to identify barriers and develop and implement real solutions.

Strategic Action Planning and Implementation

The Task Force will bring together Darke County's agencies, community leaders, and residents to engage in practical strategic planning with real solutions and actions. To address capacity, the Task Force's activities will be managed through a quarterly approach.

Quarter 1

The Task Force will focus on planning and community engagement in Quarter 1 by hosting two (2) full-day strategic planning sessions.

The first day will focus on clearly identifying and articulating issues, challenges and opportunities related to housing, providers, and other safety net and community gaps and barriers that impact prevention, recovery and wellbeing. At minimum, this will include:

  • Housing
  • In-Person Mental Health Care and Addiction Recovery Services
  • Intersectional and Dual Diagnosis Community Supports
  • Healthcare
  • Basic Needs (Food, Utilities, Phone, Furnishings, Budgeting and Transportation)
  • Employment and Financial Security
  • Justice System Engagement

Upon completion of the first day of strategic planning, gaps and barriers will be compiled and the Task Force will initiate a community survey through media and social media campaigns to solicit feedback from additional providers and Darke County residents.

The second full day of strategic planning will focus on actionable solutions and strategies. For each of the gaps or barriers identified, the Task Force will identify the best solution strategy given the current capacity and future opportunities. These strategies will include:

  • Collaboration — The problem or gap can be addressed through agency and systemic collaborations
  • Policy — The gap or system challenge can be addressed through a policy change at an organization, system or legislative level
  • Education/Training — The problem or system challenge can be addressed through education for people with addictions, those in recovery, or their supporters, and/or training for community agencies and community leaders
  • Direct Services — The gap or barrier can be addressed by providing a new service, transportation, goods, or other direct services provided by community members, groups, organizations, or agencies
  • Recruitment — The problem or challenge can be addressed by recruiting new providers, workers or volunteers
  • Funding/Tools/Resources — The problem or challenge can be addressed by increasing or reallocating funding and/or acquiring new tools, properties or services

Each action strategy will also be categorized by timing:

  • Immediate — The action can take place right away given the resources and opportunities currently available
  • Intermediate — The action can take place during the grant period, but it will take some time to get going
  • Short-Term — The groundwork for the action can take place during the grant cycle, with some, but not all actions taken during the Task Force's time together
  • Long-Term — Significant resources, system change or other issues will require long-term investment beyond the Task Force's initial time together

At the end of the second session, the Task Force will publish its strategic plan, including specific actions, who is responsible for those actions, and the anticipated timing of those actions. The opportunity for a third action-oriented strategic planning session will be available if needed for time.

Quarters 2 and 3

In the 2nd Quarter, the Task Force will begin taking action as outlined in the strategic plan, with Task Force members assigned to specific tasks according to their area of expertise, passion, connections and capacity. During the 2nd Quarter, the Task Force will also fully launch the Task Force's website tools, and begin the roll out of population-based education and lived experience storytelling.

Quarter 4

Finally, the Task Force will be intentional about evaluating its progress, reporting on successes, and making recommendations for long-term priorities, including continuity of the Task Force's efforts. This information will be provided to the public and stakeholders through the Task Force's website.

Look for:

  • Strategic Planning Sessions in September and October where the whole community is invited
  • Community Survey to add insight to the barriers and challenges the Task Force has identified (end of September, early October 2026)
  • Published Strategic Plan (end of October, early November 2026)
  • Updates and progress reports on activities and solutions (starting in November 2026)
  • Final Report and Recommendations