Happy Holidays!

We’re excited to share a new resource that complements our work at AOR. KFF Health News, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Shatterproof have launched a comprehensive database detailing over 7,000 examples of how state and local governments used opioid settlement funds in 2022 and 2023. Explore the database and read Aneri Pattani’s article for key insights. We encourage you to use this alongside our AOR database, which tracks 2024 spending in real-time, highlights speculative plans to help advocates influence decisions before they are finalized, and digs into local-level documents to provide a picture of how funds are being used and how communities can shape their impact.

As we approach the end of the year, we’re seeking your feedback about the AOR listserv and database. CEG is actively pursuing funding and resources to sustain and expand our work, and we want your input on how these tools could be improved or what aspects you love just the way they are. Please take a few moments to complete this anonymous survey. Your input is incredibly important, and we truly appreciate your time!

Lastly, please note that the AOR newsletter will be on hold for two weeks during the holiday season. We’ll return in the new year with more updates and resources.

Georgia

The Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust awarded $70.3 million in grant funding to 128 projects across the state. Grantees receiving over $1million total allocation are: 

• CDC Foundation – Building partnerships to address overdose in rural Georgia – Prevention – 5,834,513.00
• Emory Healthcare – Family Addiction Services – Treatment – 4,411,144.00
• The Extension, Inc. – Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Aftercare Program – Treatment – 3,981,524.00
• Criminal Justice Coordinating Council – Georgia Accountability Court Treatment Project – Treatment – 3,306,864.00
• Georgia Treatment Center, LLC – Georgia CTC Connect – Treatment – 3,218,250.00
• Carelink of Georgia Inc – Linkage to MOUD Treatment – Treatment – 2,971,920.00
• Institute for Health Logistics & Analytics (IHLA) at Georgia Southern University Research and Service Foundation, Inc. (GSURSF) – Rural Opioid Harm Reduction Project for the Justice-Involved (ROHR for JI) – Other – First Responders – 2,203,782.52
• Alliance Recovery Center – Medication Assisted Treatment and Recovery Support – Recovery – 1,496,400.00
• Wellroot Family Services – Functional Family Therapy – Prevention – 1,483,308.77
• Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation – Addiction Alliance of Georgia Healthcare Professionals Education & Training to Abate Opioid Epidemic – Other – Training – 1,349,646.00
• CMG Media Group – Statewide Opioid Awareness Campaign – Prevention – 1,343,065.00
• Kennesaw State University Research and Service Foundation – Nurses LOUD- Nurses Learning about Opioid Use Disorder – Other – Training – 1,261,052.00
• Newport Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, Inc – Addictive Disease Service – Treatment – 1,214,804.00
• University of Georgia Research Foundation – Harm Reduction Services Provision Through Rural Community Pharmacies: A Novel Approach to Expanding Access To Underserved Areas – Research & Evaluation – 1,182,903.00
• Wellstar Health System, Inc. – Respond, Reduce, Rebuild & Recover (R4): Wellstar’s Comprehensive OUD Program – Recovery – 1,016,871.00

See here for a full list. 

Ohio

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation awarded more than $1.9 million to support 17 projects across the state.

• Region 2 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati – Great Futures Start Here: Prevention Programming in Hamilton Co. – Prevention – $165,000
• Region 2 – Cincinnati Fairview House – Install Central Heating and Cooling – Recovery Supports – $47,759.56
• Region 4 – Zepf Center – Zepf Center Recovery Supports for Lucas County – Recovery Supports – $400,000
• Region 6 – Stark County Combined General Health District – Innovative Harm Reduction Expansion – Harm Reduction – $131,435.91
• Region 7 – Recovery Benefits Corp – Valley Recovery Partners and Goodwill Industries Workforce Soft Skills Development Classes – Recovery Supports – $10,500
• Region 9 – NAMI Southern Ohio – Hope in the Hills – Recovery Supports – $108,900
• Region 10 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Ohio – Prevention Programming – Athens – Prevention – $77,000
• Region 14 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County – Youth Mental Health Through Mentoring – Prevention – $75,000
• Region 14 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati – Great Futures Start Here: Prevention Programming at the Jeff Wyler Boys & Girls Club – Prevention – $55,000
• Region 14 – Clark Co. Partners in Prevention – Strength in Community: Empowering Youth and Families Facing Adversity – Prevention – $92,165
• Region 14 – Hope Hub Xenia – Hope Hub Xenia – Recovery Supports – $60,000
• Region 15 – Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, AAH – Allen/Auglaize Co. Peer Center – Recovery Supports – $38,500
• Region 15 – Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, AAH – Dedicated Intervention Specialist – Intervention and Crisis Support – $33,114.40
• Region 15 – Mercer Co. Joint Township Community Hospital – Mental Wellness Support for Addiction Recovery – Services for Impacted Children and Families – $100,000
• Region 15 – TCN Behavioral Health Services, Inc. – Men’s Residential and Recovery Housing – Infrastructure – $300,000
• Region 16 – First United Methodist Church – Bridging the Gap Transportation Ministry – Recovery Supports – $70,408.08
• Region 19 – Orrville Area Boys and Girls Club – Wooster Prevention Programming – Prevention – $159,500

Pennsylvania

Blair County Commissioners will vote today on the following recommendations of their Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee: 

• Requesting approval of an allocation of funds from the Opioid Settlement Fund to the Department of Social Services for reimbursement of expenses incurred for the 2024 SAP networking day in the amount of $5,000.00.
• Requesting approval of a Purchase of Service Agreement between the County of Blair and Blair Health Choices for Contingency Management Services, in the amount of $524,560.84 to be paid from the Opioid Settlement Fund.
• Requesting approval of a Purchase of Service Agreement between the County of Blair and Blair Drug and Alcohol Program, Inc. for implementation of Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) in the amount of $8,000.00 to be paid from the Opioid Settlement Fund.

Franklin County Commissioners announced the following awards: 

• Healthy Community Partnership – $30,000 to implement a media campaign focused on substance use awareness and prevention;
• Shippensburg University – $15,000 to promote harm reduction and prevent overdose deaths;
• Leah’s Legacy – $50,000 to expand warm hand-off programs and recovery services;
• Noah’s House Inc. – $50,000 to expand recovery housing and services;
• Pyramid Healthcare – $26,000 to enhance access treatment and recovery services for Hispanic populations;
• Mental Health Association – $50,000 to develop a peer recovery center in Chambersburg and a satellite location in Waynesboro
• House of Hope – $40,000 to support individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community

West Virginia

News reports that Marshall County Commissioners allocated $500k over 5 years to CASA for Children. CASA are court-appointed advocates for children removed from their homes in opioid-related cases. 

Pennsylvania — DDAP application info. for “Harm Reduction Services” (DUE 12/20)

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania — application info. (DUE 12/31)

Seneca County, New York – application info. (DUE 1/6/2025)

Kentucky — KYOAAC application portal for “Prevention” and “Treatment and Recovery Support” (DUE 1/17/25)

Alabama

Oversight Commission on Settlement Funds

• TBD
• In-person in Montgomery, AL
• Can watch live on their website (choose ‘Room 200’ for location then ‘Oversight Commission on Alabama Opioid Settlement Funds’ for meeting)

You can also watch livestreams and recordings on The Alabama Channel (thanks to the League of Women Voters of Alabama Education Fund)

Georgia

Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission 

• TBD (late February or early March 2025)

Kentucky

Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (meeting info here)

• Business Meeting: March, 11 2025, 1pm EST
• In-person located in Frankfort, KY and attendees can give public comment
• Can watch live and recordings on their YouTube channel
• Prevention/Reform/Compliance Subcommittee Meeting: TBD
• In-person located in Frankfort, KY
• Treatment & Recovery Subcommittee meeting: TBD
• In-person located in Frankfort, KY

Maryland

Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council (meeting info here)

• TBD
• Meetings are all-virtual. Can watch live via Google Meet & there is usually an opportunity for public comment

New York

Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board (meeting info here)

• TBD
• In-person located in Albany, and attendees can give public comment
• Can watch live and recordings on their website

Monthly ‘Community’ meeting: 4th Wednesday of the month at 12pm

• See this page under ‘Community Input’

Ohio

OneOhio Recovery Foundation Board (meeting info here)

• Full Board Meeting: February 12 2025, 10:30am EST
• In-person meetings are located in Columbus and are open to the public, but there is usually no opportunity for public comment
• Can watch live and recordings on their website
• Audit & Finance Committee: TBD
• Executive Committee: TBD
• Grant Oversight Committee: TBD
• Personnel Committee: TBD
• Investment Committee: TBD

Regional Information Sessions (see events calendar for most up-to-date info)

• TBD

Pennsylvania

Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust (meeting info here)

• Board of Trustees Meeting: TBD
• In-person located in Harrisburg
• All are virtual and can be watched live via Zoom and recordings on YouTube 

South Carolina

Opioid Recovery Fund

• SCORF Board Meeting: March 5, 2025 10:00am EST(info here)
• Coffee Chat: January 3, 2025, 9:30am EST virtual
• This is held the first Friday of the month and is an opportunity to ask questions and hear announcements about opioid settlement funds

Tennessee

Opioid Abatement Council

• Meeting: TBD (info here)
• In-person located in Franklin, TN. (Location rotates around the state.) Meetings are also available to watch via Teams – All attendees can give public comment
• Recordings and meeting minutes are available on their website

Virginia

Opioid Abatement Authority (meeting info here)

• Grants Committee: TBD
• Finance Committee: TBD
• Board Meeting: TBD

West Virginia

West Virginia First Foundation, Inc. (meeting info here)

• Board of Directors meeting: December 12, 12:45pm EST
• Meetings are held the first Thursday of the month