Every year, North Carolina local governments submit annual reports on their use of National Opioid Settlement Funds and efforts to increase access to supports and services within a culture of care. Local governments are required to submit both an Annual Financial Report and an Annual Impact Report. These reports include key data on how opioid settlement funds were spent, measures associated with the planning and implementation of opioid abatement strategies, and stories that illustrate the impact of these strategies.
Annual reporting is grounded in the values of transparency and accountability outlined in the North Carolina Memorandum of Agreement (NC MOA). It also provides opportunities for local governments to highlight successes and share how settlement funds are making a difference in their communities. While all the annual reporting data is posted to the Community Opioid Resource Engine (CORE-NC) website, this information is posted with minimal context. Local governments should consider sharing their annual reporting data further with the community as a way to tell their story and provide additional insights to the data.
The goal of this Annual Reporting Communications Toolkit is to provide local governments with resources needed to clearly and effectively share their annual reporting data with their communities and celebrate their progress. This toolkit does not encompass all possibilities. Please use it as a starting point for communicating annual reporting information to your community. If you have questions or recommendations for other templates to include in this resource, please email [email protected].
Communications Guidelines for Local Governments
The following guidelines help local governments present reporting data in a credible and transparent way while highlighting impactful successes. To ensure presentations are professional, accurate, and positive, we recommend the following:
- Present objectively: Share your local government’s annual reporting data factually and without personal opinions. Let the data speak for itself.
- Frame positively: Highlight the results of the hard work your staff and sub-recipients have done over the past year(s). Frame the data to show the positive community impact of these investments. Community members are interested in learning how settlement funds are making a difference in their lives and the lives of their loved ones, in their networks and neighborhoods, and over time.
- Use appropriate visuals: If using photographs or graphics, please ensure that any people depicted have given consent; images are not stigmatizing, and no unauthorized logos appear. Visuals should enhance understanding, not distract, or misrepresent. Include captions on visuals for those who are using screen readers or are visually impaired.
- Use simple language: Make your message accessible to the widest audience. Use simple, conversational, and straightforward language — write as if you are explaining the data to a friend or family member. Use shorter words instead of long or complex ones.
- Consider timing: The best time to release annual report information will depend on the local government’s data collection schedule, dates of public meetings, stakeholder expectations, and other local factors. If your local government has a public information office or a communications department, they would be a great resource to consult when to release your annual reporting information. If you are not sure of when is the best time, think about tying the release of annual reporting into special observances like International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31) or Recovery Month (September).
- Be concise: Keep sentences short and eliminate unnecessary words — especially given social media’s text character and space limitations. Focus on conveying key points clearly and concisely.
- Be specific: Use data from your annual reporting to create declarative statements. If referencing other sources of data, clearly cite original sources.
- Write in active voice: Structure sentences in subject-verb-object order, also known as active voice — “who did what to whom and where.” Active voice is the clearest and most direct way to communicate results. Note that active voice is not the same as the present tense.
- Maintain consistency: Ensure data and messaging are consistent across all communication platforms. For example, the same number should appear in emails, social media posts, and presentations.
- Consider accessibility: Consider using high contrast fonts and images for those who are visually impaired or have low vision to encourage access by all members of the community. Consider translation or cultural adaptation of your information so that all members of your community can understand your messages.
- Avoid jargon: Use plain language. Avoid technical terms related to the opioid settlements, recovery, or treatment that the general public may not understand. If you must use a technical term, explain simply what it is or means.
- Avoid acronyms: Avoid or spell out any acronyms related to organizations, programs, or services. Clear communication prevents confusion.
- Avoid stigmatizing language and images: Use person-first language and avoid terms that stigmatize substance use or mental health. Doing so encourages people to seek help when they need it and reassures people that the services provided are safe, supportive, and trustworthy. Shatterproof offers a helpful guide on appropriate language. The Addiction Policy Forum has Guidance for Using Non-Stigmatizing Imagery for Substance Use Disorders and Justice Involvement. Additionally, Empathy Lens provides free, humanizing photographs suitable for public communications.
If your local government has a public information office or a communications department, please consult with them before sharing your annual report data to maintain alignment with your local government’s branding guidelines and messaging requirements.
Resources
A communications strategy might use multiple resources — presentations, emails, one-pagers, media alerts, media releases, or social media posts — or ways to share annual reporting data effectively. When developing resources, remember to use the “communications guidelines for local governments” above and check with your public information officer or communications contact, as they may have their own templates to use.
When deciding which resources to use, ask:
- Who is your target audience?
- How and where does your audience consume information?
- What do you want your audience to know? What action do you want them to take?
- What does success look like when a local government effectively shares annual reporting data?
- Presentations
Under the North Carolina Memorandum of Agreement, counties are required to host an annual public meeting to update the public and its municipalities on opioid settlement funds utilization – plans and/or progress. The meeting is an ideal opportunity to share annual reporting data and highlight the impact of local investments with opioid settlement funds. Local governments may also provide this information via presentations to governing boards and councils, committees, sub-recipients, community groups, or coalitions. The CORE-NC and North Carolina Overdose Epidemic Data websites have county level data that could be helpful to also include in presentations.
Tips for hosting a meeting:
- Consider the purpose of the meeting. Is the goal to gather input or to share our impact or something else?
- Consider if the meeting time is accessible for those who work, have kids.
- Make sure the location is easy to reach for everyone in the county or rotate the location across the county.
Tips for creating a presentation:
- Before developing your presentation, imagine your audience and start with an outline of ideas and key data points
- Think about who might be listening to your presentation and what likely brought them to the event. Identify the takeaways you want people to remember and reiterate them throughout the presentation
- Highlight the most important information first
- Consider the flow of information and story arc of your presentation
- Plan visuals carefully to help guide your audience through the story of your data
- Use headers and lists for readability, consider using tables when it makes sense
- Limit the number of bullet points per slide
- Include success stories
- When using photographs or graphics, ensure that any people depicted have given consent, images are not stigmatizing, and no unauthorized logos appear
- Consider reflection questions to foster engagement with your audience
Tips for presenting:
- Practice several times before the presentation to ensure you are comfortable with the material
- Think about pacing, tone, and volume of your voice during the presentation
For inspiration, check out this “Cardinal County” example of a presentation.
Close accordion - Emails or Digital Newsletters
Emails or e-Newsletters are a practical, inexpensive ways to update key stakeholders on opioid settlement activities. When drafting text:
- Use descriptive email subject lines and lead with substantive headlines
- Put the most important information first
- Keep messages succinct and easy to read
- Use photos, graphics, or sections to break up content
- Tailor content to your specific audience.
Feel free to use this editable template. This template includes suggested headlines, sections, and formatting to make sharing annual reporting data easy.
Close accordion - Handouts or Flyers
Handouts (usually one or two pages) or flyers are an effective way to share key annual reporting data with busy audiences. It is particularly useful when your local government has a large amount of data or wants to share more detailed information.
When designing a handouts or flyers:
- Use subheadings or lists for easy scanning
- Balance text and visuals to avoid overwhelming the reader
- Make sure any calls to action are clear
- Post them online and/or print for events, public meetings, or community gatherings.
For inspiration, check out this “Cardinal County” handout example.
Close accordion - Local Media
When engaging with local media, first coordinate with your local government’s communications department or public information officer. They may already have media protocols, messaging guidance, or established relationships with local or state media outlets that could help amplify your annual reporting data and share success stories. Additionally, make sure to prep any people with lived experience, community members, or staff who might speak to the media.
General Tips for Working with Media
Identify the most newsworthy angle before reaching out to media — which story has the potential for the biggest impact?
- Use clear, non-technical language reporters and readers can quickly understand and have key talking points prepared
- Identify a local government spokesperson and provide follow-up contact information
Media Advisory
A media advisory is a one-page notice that informs journalists and news outlets about an upcoming event. For example, if a local government will be hosting its required annual public meeting and releasing its annual report data, a media advisory may include the following:
- Who: This includes the speakers at the event (e.g., local government leaders and partners)
- What: The annual public meeting and annual report release
- When: Date and time
- Where: Physical location and/or virtual meeting link
- Why: Purpose of event and why it matters to the public
- Media Contact: Name, phone, and email of communications lead or public information officer for local government
Feel free to use this editable media advisory template to customize and distribute to local media outlets. This template offers a simple structure to help ensure key details are clear and easy for journalists to use.
News Release
Distinct from a media advisory, a news release is used to share information with local media about something that has already happened, such as the release of annual reporting data, a major funding or implementation milestone, or a community success story.
Tips for drafting a news release:
- Make it clear, concise, and between 600-800 words
- Include up to three key data points from the annual reports
- Add a quote with permission from a governing board member, local government manager, a program participant or program partner
- Connect any data to the community impact – why does it matter?
- End with a clear link to the full report, resource, or local government webpage
Feel free to use this editable press release template to quickly develop a media-ready announcement. Consider including links to the CORE-NC website as well.
Close accordion - Social Media
Social media is most effective when content is short, visually interesting, and tailored to the specific platform. Rather than only linking to a report, consider highlighting compelling data points, success stories, or visual snapshots from your annual reporting materials. A good time to start sharing would be to create posts to tie in to special observances such as: International Overdose Awareness Day, Mental Health Awareness Month, Recovery Month, Public Health Week, EMS Week, or Public Service Recognition Week.
Tips for social media posts:
- Focus each post on one clear message
- Use simple graphics, charts, or quotes
- Use multiple data points to illustrate successes
- Link directly to the full report, website, or meeting details
- Pair numbers with human-centered story when possible
- Ensure no personally identifying information is provided when sharing a success story, unless consent is given.
- Use consistent branding across all social media platforms
- Avoid stigmatizing images (tips from Empathy Lens)
- Watch out for misinformation: Make sure images do not spread false ideas about drug use.
- Avoid triggering images: Stay away from pictures of drugs or drug supplies unless you need them to explain something specific. Instead, consider neutral images, like a dictionary page with the word “opioids” highlighted instead of pills or powders.
- Show different kinds of people: Use images of individuals of different races, genders, and ages to represent people who use drugs and those who help them.
- Keep it positive and simple: Avoid dramatic, sad-looking, dirty, or dark and scary images. Research has found that messages that rely on fear do not change attitudes or behavior. Instead, show everyday people in normal, supportive situations.
- Make it humanizing: Avoid pictures where a person’s face is hidden with only their drugs in focus. Instead, use images that show them as full people, not just as drug users.
Examples of social media posts can be found here (editable templates through Canva; PDF examples). After checking with your local government communications team or public information officer, feel free to create your own posts based on these examples. Remember, Empathy Lens provides free, humanizing photographs suitable for public communications
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Unsure which communication channel or resources are right for you?
Reach out to OSTAT at [email protected] for help identifying the most appropriate resources and how to best use this toolkit.
Where to Find Your Annual Reporting Data on the CORE-NC Website
Local governments can find their annual reporting data on the Community Opioid Resources Engine (CORE-NC) website. Below is guidance for locating the most relevant pages and information on the website.
Local Progress Page
Access the Local Progress page by selecting “Local Progress” on the top banner of the website or by clicking here. The Local Progress page is a helpful tool for sharing a broad overview of how a local government is investing its portion of the opioid settlement funds. Note, the bolded items below include data from the annual reports.
From the Local Progress page, you can select a local government in North Carolina and view:
- Opioid settlement payments the local government has received/is receiving/expects to receive
- Local spending plans
- Approved strategies in spending plans
- Submitted Collaborative Strategic Planning (Option B) Report and Recommendations
- Past spending data from the Annual Financial Report showing the total amount spent across all funded strategies and a breakdown by strategy
- Annual settlement update with an overall summary of how the local government has made use of settlement funds. It is pulled from the brief general narrative in the annual impact report and links to the local government’s full Impact Report Narratives.
- Strategy spotlights which are selected strategy-specific progress reports and success stories from the annual impact report and linked to the local government’s full Impact Report Narratives
- Local contacts
Document Library
Access the Document Library at the bottom of any CORE-NC page under the “Explore More” section. The library contains documents submitted from each local government receiving opioid settlement funds, including:
- Local Spending Authorization Resolutions
- Annual Financial Reports
- Annual Impact Report Workbooks
- Annual Impact Report Narratives
- Option B Report and Recommendations
Notes: Materials in the Document Library can be filtered by government, document type, and date. This resource is helpful for finding past annual reports or spending authorization information for a local government.
Each local government has at least one point person who submits annual report data to CORE-NC. If data is needed before it is posted on CORE-NC, the person (people) who submitted the reports will be able to share narrative and numeric data.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. Why should my local government share our annual report information with the public?
The National Opioid Settlement Funds have been widely publicized and scrutinized. In North Carolina, our collective efforts with these funds are grounded in transparency and accountability and focused on bringing supportive services to our communities.
Though the CORE-NC website archives and displays all the reports that local governments submit, it does not fully represent your story, successes, or challenges. It does not provide detailed context for your annual report data nor explain how certain investments were made or why the data is most meaningful or relevant.
By sharing your annual report information with more nuance and local context, you are able to shape your own narrative, more accurately represent your full story, be transparent about any challenges, get ahead of media questions or potential critique, promote your efforts to increase availability of and access to caring services, and celebrate your successes.
Close accordion - 2. What kind of information is in my local government’s annual reports on opioid settlement funds?
There are two types of annual reports required by the North Carolina Memorandum of Agreement – the Annual Financial Report and the Annual Impact Report.
For all local governments receiving settlement funds, the reports must be submitted every year. The Annual Financial Report reflects the amount of money that the local government received during the previous fiscal year and the money that was spent during the previous fiscal year. Some local governments are also required to report on sub-recipients who received opioid settlement funding.
The Annual Impact Report includes a brief general narrative on how the local government used opioid settlement funds during that reporting year. Brief strategy-specific progress reports are also required for local governments that disbursed funds for opioid abatement strategies. Some local governments also must report on a process measure, quality measure, and outcome measure for each funded strategy. Local governments that are required to submit these measures have numeric information to share on each of their funded strategies to go along with their narratives/written reports.
Close accordion - 3. Where are the annual reports on opioid settlement funds?
The CORE-NC website has a document library that contains copies of past annual reports. The documents can be sorted by local government, fiscal year, and report type. Click here to access the document library. Each local government has at least one point person who submits annual report data to CORE-NC. If data is needed before it is posted on CORE-NC, the person (people) who submitted the reports will be able to share narrative and numeric data.
Close accordion - 4. What should my local government highlight from the annual reports?
Reflect on the data that was submitted in your annual reports. Are there numbers that your local government is particularly proud of? Are there stories that are memorable or that should be celebrated? Are there areas the local government is working to start, improve, or expand?
When deciding what to highlight from the reports, consider which resources will be used to share the information. For example, numeric data might be best shared in a one-pager, and a success story might be best shared via social media.
Close accordion - 5. Are the templates offered in this toolkit the only way to share my local government’s annual reporting information?
No, there are many different ways to share reporting data. This resource is just starting point and is intended to provide local governments resources that can be used to share their annual reporting data with community members and their local elected officials. Some local governments have shared reporting information via videos. Some have shared via podcasts. Others have done photo voice projects. There are endless possibilities! Be creative. Meet your audience wherever they are.
Close accordion - 6. How should my local government respond to questions about annual reporting information?
Before sharing annual reporting data, the local government should discuss who will address questions about the annual reporting for the opioid settlements. If your local government has an opioid settlement coordinator, they might be a good person to handle questions. If not, consider the person who submitted the annual reports. Be sure to consult with your local government’s public information office or communications department as they may be best suited to handle inquiries from the media.
Close accordion - 7. What if my local government needs help using this toolkit?
The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ Opioid Settlements Technical Assistance Team (OSTAT) can help brainstorm with you which data might be best to share, how best to do so, and walk you through using this toolkit.
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Contact Information
Questions about North Carolina Opioid Settlements or this resource and how to use it, email [email protected].