Opioid Settlement

Panelists

Barbara Caskey is the Director of Community Corrections, a Macomb County department that provides a variety of programs for individuals in the criminal justice system, including pretrial services and multiple diversion programs. In addition to this role, Ms. Caskey is also the administrator of Macomb County’s Safe & Healthy Macomb project, the county-wide plan for behavioral health services utilizing opioid settlement funding. Ms. Caskey was previously the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Program manager in Macomb County and she currently serves on the Macomb County Office of Substance Abuse Oversight Policy Board, the Macomb County Anti-Trafficking Task Force, and Turning Point Lethality Team. Ms. Caskey previously served on the Macomb County Offender Success Advisory Council and the Wayne State University Criminal Justice Curriculum Advisory Group. She began her career as the Mental Health
Jail Reduction Coordinator at the Macomb County Jail after earning her Master’s of Social Work from Wayne State University.

Amy Dolinky joined MAC in 2022 as the Technical Adviser, Opioid Settlement Funds Planning and Capacity Building.

Prior to joining MAC, she served as a Senior Program Manager, Overdose Data to Action with the CDC Foundation and as the Senior Adviser of Michigan’s Opioid Strategy with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Previously, Dolinky served as the Substance Misuse Response Coordinator, leading strategic planning around substance use with Knox County government in Tennessee.

She holds a master’s degree in public policy and administration with a focus on global health from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Loyola University New Orleans.

Brandon Hool is a Technical Advisor on the Opioid Settlement Funds with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Prior to that, he spent 4 years with the MDHHS Viral Hepatitis Unit as a Harm Reduction Analyst, supporting the expansion of harm reduction services across the state. Brandon had an extensive professional and personal history in the substance use disorder field before coming to MDHHS. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in community development from Central Michigan University in 2018 and a Master’s in Public Health in 2022.

In lieu of a bio, Ms. King opted for, "a brief description of the OAC, as the Commission (and its members) are really the focus."

Michigan’s Opioid Advisory Commission:

Public Act 84 of 2022 (MCL 4.1851) provided for the creation of the Opioid Advisory Commission in the Legislative Council to "[r]eview local, state, and federal initiatives and activities related to education, prevention, treatment, and services for individuals and families affected by substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions, and establish priorities to address substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions, for the purpose of recommending funding initiatives to the legislature." The commission makes an annual report to the Governor, the Attorney General, the Senate Majority Leader, the Speaker of the House, and the chairs of the Senate and House appropriation committees.

Tara King, MSW, is the Program Coordinator for the Opioid Advisory Commission (OAC).

Helen Klingert is a Clinical Psychologist and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug
Counselor with more than 30 years of behavioral health experience. Helen earned a
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and a
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Oakland University.

Helen displays passion for her work and a commitment to helping others. She has
successfully collaborated with physical health systems, schools, the criminal justice
system, and other social service agencies to reduce stigma, increase awareness of
prevention, treatment, and recovery services, and improve access to care.
Helen works diligently to continually advance the field of substance use disorder
services by brining evidenced based, best practices to the delivery system, securing
grant funds to expand services, and evaluating the system of care to ensure quality,
effective services. Her more recent accomplishments include expanding the substance
use disorder service array, including the addition of Peer Recovery Coach services,
Recovery Housing services, and implementing Opioid Health Home services in Macomb
County.

Helen has been an active member in many local and state workgroups related to
substance use disorder services, mental health initiatives, integrated treatment, and
recovery-based services. Helen was recently appointed by the governor to the Michigan
Opioid Taskforce, is a board member of the Macomb Community Correction Advisory
Council, and active member of Safe and Healthy Macomb. Helen is a trainer of ASAM
Criteria, Seeking Safety, and NIATx Change Leader Coach.