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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DATE: JANUARY 13, 2026
FROM: HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ARIZONA
BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE
UNIVERSITY TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF
ANAHEIM FIRE AND RESCUE’S ADVANCED PROVIDER
RESPONSE UNIT
ATTACHMENT(Y/N): YES ITEM # GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion:
1) Waive Council Policy 4.1 and approve an Opioid Settlement Funding Professional Services Agreement, substantially in the form attached with the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University to conduct a comprehensive research and evaluation study of Anaheim Fire and Rescue’s Advanced Provider Response Unit in the amount of $163,720 for a two-year term commencing on February 1, 2026; and,
2) Authorize the Director of Housing and Community Development, or designee, to execute the agreement and related documents necessary to implement, fund, and administer the agreement, provided that the maximum contract authority does not change; and
3) Authorize de minimis changes that do not substantially change the terms and conditions of the agreements, as determined by the City Attorney’s Office.
BACKGROUND:
Opioid Settlement Funds
The City of Anaheim (City) is one of over 3,000 original plaintiff jurisdictions comprised of states, cities, and counties in a class action lawsuit alleging that the pharmaceutical manufacturers, major distributors, and pharmacies caused the national opioid crisis. In 2021, the defendants agreed to pay the original plaintiffs and other participating subdivisions $54 billion over 18 years to implement opioid abatement 06 Professional Services Agreement with Arizona Board of Regents for APRU Study January 13, 2026
activities. Anaheim is projected to receive $13,783,114 of available opioid settlement funds over 18 years. To date, the city has received $4,820,643.61 of the projected funds.
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) oversees California’s Opioid Settlement funds and monitors their use to ensure compliance by cities and counties. Eligible activities are limited by the terms of the agreement in Exhibit E of the National Opioid Settlement agreement and the DHCS’ High Impact Abatement Activities table, respectively, to mitigate the impacts of opioid use.
Advanced Provider Response Unit (APRU)
For the last decade, Anaheim Fire & Rescue has experienced a steady increase in calls for service for opioid related incidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this increase is partly driven by the advent of illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which has contributed to higher rates of substance use disorder, overdoses, and related medical events. This has increased demands for both low-acuity and emergency calls for service, leading to strain on the local 911 response and hospital emergency departments.
To address these challenges, Anaheim Fire & Rescue developed the APRU, a Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) model pairing a Nurse Practitioner with a Fire Captain/ Paramedic to provide on-scene assessment, treatment, and referrals for non-emergency and moderate-acuity incidents. The APRU will fill a critical gap in the Anaheim Homeless System of Care in post-overdose follow-up and access to treatment options, connecting individuals to recovery and supportive services. The APRU is leveraging Opioid Settlement Funds to establish operations, with the long-term goal of becoming self-sustainable through eligibility for National Provider Identifier (NPI) registration and Medi-Cal billing under Senate Bill 1180 (SB 1180).
The APRU is scheduled to launch in early 2026.
DISCUSSION:
The City is investing significantly to expand access to treatment and recovery services for residents with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions. To ensure these investments achieve intended outcomes, a comprehensive research and evaluation study is needed to assess the efficacy of the APRU. The evaluation will help determine how effectively the program connects individuals to appropriate care, reduces emergency service utilization, and improves client outcomes. The findings will provide data and feedback to guide future decisions about which program components are most effective and where additional investment may produce the greatest impact.
The study will apply both quantitative and qualitative methods, combining program data analysis with input from participants, providers, and partners. This approach will provide an objective understanding of outcomes, identify operational strengths and areas for improvement, and support data-driven decision-making across the City’s treatment and recovery system.
Professional Services Agreement with Arizona Board of Regents for APRU Study January 13, 2026
Staff is seeking approval to waive Council Policy 4.1 to contract Arizona State University (ASU) to conduct this work. This project requires a unique set of expertise, including expertise in Fire-based MIH models and evaluation, substance use disorder epidemiology, treatment, and care delivery models, and health systems research focused on safety net healthcare providers and systems. The university has demonstrated experience in evaluating Fire-based MIH programs and utilizing experts in the field of Substance Use Disorder (SUD), analyzing health system data, and conducting community-based research in collaboration with public agencies. ASU team members are currently leading large-scale research for four major metro fire departments, including the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Columbus Division of Fire, and Fort Worth Fire Department, in addition to their work in studying the effectiveness of the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s APRU program. Its team has the necessary institutional infrastructure and expertise in mixed- methods evaluation, data management, and reporting to complete the study efficiently and in compliance with research and privacy standards.
This partnership will ensure an independent, evidence-based evaluation that supports accountability and informs future investment decisions. Further, the ASU will publish research on the APRU program aimed at establishing a body of evidence on the MIH strategies being deployed in the Anaheim APRU with regard to SUD treatment (and any additional services added) for multiple stakeholders (department, local government, regional/national peers and professional organizations, and researchers). This published research can be essential when seeking additional funding sources to continue and expand the program if determined effective during this pilot phase.
If approved, the comprehensive study will commence with the launch of the APRU on or around February 1, 2026, for a two-year term ending on January 31, 2028.
This recommendation aligns with the National Opioid Settlement Exhibit E, State of California’s High-Impact Abatement Activities, and the City’s Strategic Plan Goal B - Enhance Livability: Strategy 7- Expand mobile services to better serve the community.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The Housing and Community Development Department’s FY 2025/26 includes funds for the proposed activities.
Respectfully submitted, Concurred by, Grace Ruiz Stepter Patrick Russell Director of Housing and Community Development Fire Chief Respectfully submitted,
Professional Services Agreement with Arizona Board of Regents for APRU Study January 13, 2026
Attachments:
1. Professional Services Agreement with the Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Arizona State University
2. ASUs Research and Evaluation Team Assigned to APRU Study