Wichita and Sedgwick County faced some of the highest overdose rates in Kansas, alongside stark gaps in behavioral health services, fragmented systems, and limited resources to respond effectively. With over $15 million in opioid settlement funds coming to the community, the City and County needed a unifying plan to ensure these dollars saved lives and built long-term systems.
The Steadman Group guided the creation of the Wichita–Sedgwick Opioid Settlement Consortium (WS-OSC), a first-of-its-kind local partnership in Kansas. Over 12 months, we facilitated a rigorous needs assessment, convened more than 50 stakeholders from across sectors, and co-developed a comprehensive strategic plan to guide settlement investments through 2030.
Sedgwick County and the City of Wichita now have a clear roadmap anchored by a shared vision, mission, and guiding principles, with $15.5 million allocated across four strategies: stigma reduction, integrated care, overdose prevention, and treatment capacity. This plan positions Wichita–Sedgwick as a statewide model for collaborative, evidence-based opioid abatement.
Steadman did a great job delivering what they promised.
Denise Martin
City of Wichita