Good Afternoon,

As we move forward in 2025, communities across Appalachia continue to see the impacts of opioid settlement funding in action. This week, we’re highlighting how states are using these funds for treatment, prevention, and recovery services—ranging from mental health court programs in Kentucky to expanded recovery housing in Pennsylvania.

Despite national data suggesting a decline in opioid-related overdose deaths, local officials continue to report that the crisis remains a top concern. A recent survey from the National League of Cities (NLC) found that 61% of municipal leaders cite the opioid crisis as one of the most pressing issues in their communities—a concern particularly strong in mid-sized and larger cities and in the Northeast. However, nearly two-thirds of those surveyed also noted a lack of adequate resources to effectively combat the epidemic, underscoring the need for continued investment in local solutions.

Additionally, as the federal funding landscape remains uncertain following the recent funding freeze and court rulings, many organizations are navigating new challenges. We remain committed to tracking these developments and providing updates on how they may affect opioid response efforts at the state and local levels.

We also want to take a moment to acknowledge the devastating flooding in West Virginia’s southern coalfields over the weekend, which has left at least one person dead and several others missing. Communities in Boone, Kanawha, Logan, and Lincoln counties have been hit hard, with homes washed away, roads destroyed, and emergency responders working tirelessly to assist those affected. In times of crisis, the resilience of Appalachian communities shines through, as neighbors come together to support one another. Our thoughts are with those impacted.

With that in mind, here’s this week’s roundup of opioid settlement updates across the region.

New Schedule Alert: Weekly Newsletters Moving to Wednesdays!

Starting next week, our newsletter will hit your inbox every Wednesday—midweek updates to keep you informed and ahead of the curve!

Georgia

Georgia Allocates $70M in Opioid Settlement Funds to Address Overdose Crisis

The Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust has distributed $70 million in settlement funds to 128 organizations working to reduce overdose deaths and expand recovery efforts. Administered by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the funds are focused on prevention, treatment, and research initiatives.

• Bright Star Healthcare (McDonough, GA) – Subsidizing treatment and transportation costs for 15 uninsured patients receiving methadone-based treatment.
• Rising Sun Recovery (Paulding County, GA) – $500,000 to expand recovery housing and social services for young adults aged 18-26.
• Paulding RCO – $360,000 to strengthen peer support services for at-risk youth.
• Breakthru House (Decatur, GA) – $100,000 to provide addiction treatment at no cost for low-income women.

Challenges & Considerations:

• Recovery Housing Concerns – A lack of state regulations on recovery homes raises questions about safety and accountability.
• Stigma Around Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) – Despite being a gold-standard treatment, buprenorphine remains underutilized due to provider reluctance.
• Measuring Long-Term Impact – Experts emphasize the need for ongoing evaluation of these programs’ effectiveness.

Another funding cycle will open in April 2025, with continued advocacy for expanding treatment access and reducing stigma.

Kentucky

Bullitt County Mental Health Court Sees Success in First Year with Opioid Settlement Funding

The Bullitt County Mental Health Court, launched in January 2024 and funded by opioid settlement dollars, has had a successful first year in providing alternatives to incarceration for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.

Key Outcomes:

• 49 referrals received
• 18 participants accepted, with 13 actively engaged in the program
• First program graduate expected in March 2025
• Collaboration with U of L Health Peace Hospital, local law enforcement, Goodwill, and other community organizations

County Attorney Tammy Baker emphasized the importance of structured recovery options for individuals facing misdemeanor or non-violent felony charges. The program aims to continue expanding its reach in the coming year.

County Officials Discuss Opioid Settlement Fund Allocation at Capitol

During County Day at the Capitol, Kentucky officials gathered in Frankfort to discuss how opioid settlement funds should be allocated. Key legislation under consideration includes:

• HB 182 – A transparency bill that may impact reporting on opioid settlement fund usage.
• HB 152 – A proposal to increase Medicaid supplemental payments for ambulance services, which could improve opioid-related emergency response.

With legislative filings closing on Feb. 19, counties are pushing for sustainable opioid response funding.

Maryland

Baltimore Mayor Names Opioid Restitution Advisory Board

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has appointed a 20-member Opioid Restitution Advisory Board to oversee the city’s opioid settlement funds, ensuring they are directed toward treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services.

• Sara Whaley, previously the mayor’s senior adviser for public health, will serve as the Executive Director of Overdose Response.
• Baltimore is set to receive $669 million in opioid settlements, with a strong focus on transparency and accountability in fund distribution.

New York

New York Authorizes Addiction Recovery Residences

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) has launched a new voluntary certification for recovery residences and announced $75,000 in one-time funding through the Opioid Settlement Fund.

These residences provide a structured, shared living environment for individuals in recovery. More information is available at: OASAS Certified Recovery Residences.

North Carolina

Opioid Coordinator Position Open in Burke County

Position: Opioid Coordinator

Salary Range: $88,000 – $108,000

Deadline: Open Until Filled

This role will oversee Burke County’s opioid settlement strategies, facilitating community partnerships, coalition-building, and program development. For more information, visit Burke County Careers.

Upcoming Event: NC Summit on Reducing Overdose

March 26-27, 2025 | Wake County, NC

The NC Summit on Reducing Overdose, hosted by the NC Association of County Commissioners (NCACC), will bring together public health officials, community leaders, and treatment professionals to discuss data-driven strategies for overdose prevention.

Learn More & Register Here

Ohio

Highland County Commissioners’ local OneOhio board representatives updated the commissioners on bylaw changes and the need to recruit a third representative for Highland County. They emphasized the availability of opioid settlement funds and the importance of better communication with townships, whose allocated funds remain largely unused. Commissioners were also asked to reappoint existing board members.

For more information on OneOhio opioid settlement funds, visit OneOhioFoundation.com

Hamilton County Receives Largest Share of Opioid Settlement Funds in Ohio

Hamilton County will receive $12.3 million over 18 years, with an additional $7.5 million allocated to municipalities such as Cincinnati and Norwood.

Key Investments:

• Hiring an addiction coordinator
• Expanding treatment access in jails
• Funding harm reduction initiatives (e.g., fentanyl test strips, quick response teams)

Early data shows three consecutive years of declining overdose deaths, with officials crediting the county’s data-driven approach as a model for other regions.

Pennsylvania

Erie County Expands Recovery Housing with Opioid Settlement Funds

Erie County has allocated settlement funds to launch three new state-licensed recovery houses:

• Pyramid Healthcare – Two 8-bed recovery houses (one for men, one for women).
• Snug Harbor – A 16-bed facility for men in recovery.

These DDAP-licensed facilities will provide abstinence-focused, peer-supported housing for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, helping them transition from intensive treatment to independent living. The recovery houses will open later in 2025 and will provide structured services, peer support, and a stable environment for those in recovery. 

Spotlight PA Invites Public to Share Stories on Opioid Impact

Spotlight PA is seeking personal stories about how opioid addiction has affected Pennsylvanians, with the goal of shaping ongoing reporting and a live event in April.

Who can share?

• Individuals in recovery
• Family members of those impacted
• Health care and child welfare workers
• Community leaders working on opioid response

Why share?

• To raise awareness about addiction’s impact
• To highlight solutions being implemented across Pennsylvania
• To inform reporting on how opioid settlement funds can best support families

Responses will remain anonymous unless permission is given, and submissions are open until Friday, March 7, 2025.

Read more and submit your story here.

South Carolina

City of Columbia Awarded $509,000 to Combat Opioid Epidemic

The SC Opioid Recovery Fund has awarded $509,000 to Columbia’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement to support treatment and prevention initiatives, in partnership with A Second Chance Resource Center.

Funding will support:

• Community-based intervention programs
• Public education campaigns
• Wraparound services for individuals in recovery

Virginia

Charlottesville City Council to Discuss Opioid Settlement Fund Allocation

February 18, 2025 | 4:00 PM

Charlottesville City Hall / Zoom Webinar

Charlottesville will review its opioid settlement fund allocations, exploring options for direct service implementation or partnerships with third-party organizations.

Learn More & Attend Here

West Virginia

Federal Funding Freeze Disrupts Opioid Recovery Programs

Nonprofits in West Virginia have reported disruptions in opioid recovery, workforce training, and foster care programs due to delays in federal reimbursements following the recent funding freeze.

While some funding has been restored, many organizations remain in financial limbo, raising concerns about long-term recovery efforts.

Maryland‘s Office of Opioid Response “MOOR” Grant—application info. (Due 2/28)

Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — application info. (DUE 2/28)(courtesy of OpioidSettlementTracker.com)

Miami County, Ohio— application info. (DUE 2/28)(courtesy of OpioidSettlementTracker.com)

Montco 2024 Implementation Grant, Pennsylvania— application info. (Due 3/3)

Richmond County, North Carolina — application info. (DUE 3/17), mandatory pre-application meeting 2/24 (courtesy of OpioidSettlementTracker.com)

Weirton, West Virginia — application info. (“[f]unding decisions are made by the Weirton City Council”) (courtesy of OpioidSettlementTracker.com)

Harrison County, Kentucky

The Harrison County Fiscal Court has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for projects aimed at preventing and addressing the impact of the opioid epidemic. Funding is available for organizations focusing on opioid prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery, including support for substance use disorder, polysubstance use, and co-occurring mental health issues.

• Application Period: February 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025
• Funding Period: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026

The number of awards and funding amounts will vary annually based on available settlement funds. Interested entities can obtain the full RFP package from the Bluegrass Area Development District or online at Harrison County Fiscal Court News.

Virginia STOP! Grant— application info. (DUE 4/1)

For more grant opportunities, check out: OpioidSettlementTracker.com. To share unlisted grant opportunities, email tips@OpioidSettlementTracker.com. For other tips, contact aor@communityeducationgroup.org.

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 (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: February 20, 2025, 10am EST
• In-person located in Frankfort, KY
• Treatment & Recovery Subcommittee meeting: February 25, 2025, 10am EST
• In-person located in Frankfort, KY

Maryland

Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council (info here)

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

Baltimore City Council: Hearings on Opioid Crisis Response and Settlement Funds

• TBD
• The Mayor’s Office has confirmed its participation once hearing dates are finalized. The hearings aim to provide critical oversight to ensure Baltimore maximizes its resources and interventions in combating the opioid epidemic. 

New York

Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board (info here)

• February 27, 2025, 10am EST
• 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’

North Carolina

The Fayetteville Economic and Community Development (ECD) Department is hosting four public meetings to gather feedback on the 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan and 2025-2029 Consolidated plan, which will be submitted to HUD. Meetings will address funding priorities for programs, including the Opioid Settlement Fund, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG)

• Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. – Westover Recreation Center, 267 Bonanza Drive, Fayetteville, NC 
• March 6 at 7 p.m. – E.E. Miller Recreation Center, 1347 Rim Road, Fayetteville, NC 
• March 11 at 6 p.m. – Smith Recreation Center, 1520 Slater Avenue, Fayetteville, NC 
• The public comment period is scheduled to be held starting on Sunday, February 16, 2025, to Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Written comments and/or questions may be emailed to econcommdev@fayettevillenc.go

Ohio

OneOhio Recovery Foundation Board (info here)

• Full Board Meeting: March 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

10th Annual Opioid Symposium: February 27, 2025, 6pm-8pm EST

The “Stop Heroin from Killing” Committee will host it’s 10th annual Opioid Symposium. The free public event, titled “Addiction and Recovery,” aims to reduce stigma, share effective strategies, and provide resources for recovery.

Find more information about the event here.

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: May 2, 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
• The SCORF Board will open to public comment during Coffee Chat on May 2, August 1, and November 7. Advanced registration is required to comment. (info here).

Tennessee

Opioid Abatement Council

• Meeting: March 3, 2025 12pm EST (info here)
• Next in-person located in Chattanooga, TN. 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: February 21, 2025, 4:00pm EST (info here)
• Finance Committee: TBD
• Board Meeting: TBD

West Virginia

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

• Board of Directors meeting: March 2025 TBD
• Meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month

Want your event or upcoming meeting published in the AOR newsletter? Email us at AOR@communityeducationgroup.org