IRON MOUNTAIN — Officials for Dickinson and Iron counties are considering hiring an educator for the joint health department who would work with area youth on substance abuse and violence prevention.

The Dickinson and Iron County boards met together Nov. 20 to discuss having a dedicated staff member employed through the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department who could teach the Botvin LifeSkills Training program for grades six through nine in area schools.

The position would be paid with settlement funds from various lawsuits against opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies.

Communities are receiving different amounts per capita, depending on a formula the state developed to measure vulnerability to the crisis.

The majority of funds received from the opioid settlements must be spent on opioid remediation, which is designed to address the misuse and abuse of opioid products; treat or mitigate opioid use or related disorders; and mitigate other alleged effects of the opioid epidemic.

Dickinson County’s share is roughly estimated at nearly $1.7 million, while Iron County’s estimated amount is $740,000, according to the Michigan Association of Counties’ online Opioid Settlement Resource Center.

The full-time health educator would cost $61,140 to $78,427 per year, depending on the qualifications. The DIDHD has a part-time educator who soon plans to retire.

Dickinson County now spends $10,000 of its annual $41,000 on a program at the county jail, so would have about $30,000 to spend on the educator, Dickinson County Controller Brian Bousley said.

When asked what share of the cost each county would pay, Iron County Board Chair Mark Stauber said a two-thirds to one-third ratio has been used in the past, or they could look at the number of schools in each county that would receive services.

Dickinson County has four public school districts — Iron Mountain, Breitung Township, Norway-Vulcan and North Dickinson County in Felch Township — while Iron County has two, Forest Park in Crystal Falls and West Iron County in Iron River.

Dickinson County Commissioner Joseph Stevens suggested the boards seek additional funding sources, perhaps through NorthCare Network and Great Lakes Recovery Centers, which both counties already have money for in their budgets.

Board members decided to look into all avenues and come back with some firmer numbers. The two boards will have another joint meeting to take possible action on the health educator position at 3 p.m. Dec. 4.

“I think everybody is agreeable on what we need to do,” Stauber said.