Gobble Gobble!

Communities across the country are working to allocate opioid settlement dollars effectively, but many face the challenge of managing smaller annual allocations, sometimes less than $5,000. Despite their size, these funds can still provide meaningful support in addressing the overdose crisis. A recent article, Impactful Ways to Spend Small Opioid Settlement Allocations, by Roxanne Saucier and Sara Whaley, published on the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Opioid Principles website, highlights ten actionable strategies:

1. Purchase low-cost naloxone.

2. Purchase test strips.

3. Buy wound care supplies for people who use drugs.

4. Provide transportation vouchers so people can get to treatment, job interviews, and other appointments.

5. Provide Wi-Fi for those who don’t have access to it, so they can take advantage of telehealth appointments, for example with a drug treatment provider.

6. Grant funds to your local syringe service program.

7. Use the funds to produce harm reduction-oriented educational materials and conduct trainings specifically for stimulant users about the risks of opioids and how to access naloxone.

8. Fund trainings for maternity care and social service providers about best practices for working with pregnant and postpartum people who use drugs.

9. Give the funds to your local health department to use on addressing overdose, prioritizing the high-impact interventions in the national settlement agreement.

10. Fund better overdose data collection by a local university or your health department.

These small but strategic investments can transform limited resources into life-saving opportunities for individuals and communities.

Kentucky

Grant County Fiscal Court allocated $48,860 from opioid settlement funds to the jail to purchase a 2024 Chevy Express passenger van to support transportation to treatment and OUD services. The court also discussed funding a body scanner for the jail. Additionally, salaries for three deputies working with individuals affected by substance use were confirmed as funded through the opioid settlement. See meeting recording 4:45-10:25 for details.

North Carolina

Richmond County approved a resolution to increase settlement funding for its jail substance use program from $41,215.97 to $52,615.97. This adjustment adds $11,400 to cover the cost of correctional behavioral health services for program participants. The program includes MOUD with at least one FDA-approved opioid agonist. See agenda packet pp. 33-35 for details.

Ohio

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation awarded nearly $7.7 million to 36 projects across the state. 

• Region 1 – Columbus Neighborhood Health Center – PrimaryOne Health: East Broad Intensive Outpatient Program – Treatment and Healthcare Services – $257,359.82
• Region 1 – Franklin County Municipal Court – Recovery Housing – Criminal Legal System – $450,000.00
• Region 1 – Maryhaven – Treatment Access Navigation Program: Overcoming Barriers and Increasing Successful Outcomes – Treatment and Healthcare Services – $400,324.00
• Region 1 – Soar Initiative – Universalizing Drug-Checking and Harm Reduction Through a Reimagined and Overhauled Bad Batch Alert System – Harm Reduction – $200,000.00
• Region 2 – MindPeace – A Brighter Future: Preventing SUDs and Building Resilience Among Hamilton County Youth with ACEs – Prevention – $297,000.00
• Region 2 – Oxford House – Expansion of the Oxford House Model™ in Hamilton County – Recovery Supports – $340,000.00
• Region 3 – Legal Aid Society of Cleveland – Improving Access to Justice for Individuals with OUD in Recovery Through Legal Aid – Recovery Supports – $130,000.00
• Region 3 – Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of Greater Cleveland – Expansion of SMART Recovery Evidence-Based Addiction Programming for Cuyahoga County’s LGBTQ+ Community – Recovery Supports – $123,185.64
• Region 3 – Mental Health Services for Homeless Persons dba FrontLine Service – Trauma Therapy Services for Children and Families Impacted by Opioid Addiction – Services for Impacted Children and Families – $293,422.00
• Region 4 – Center of Hope Family Services – ELEVATE In School Support – Prevention – $51,690.42
• Region 6 – A.V.O. Behavioral Health – Recovery Housing Enhancement Programing – Recovery Supports – $99,768.91
• Region 6 – Silver Maple Recovery – Empowering Recovery: Recovery Coach Support Service – Recovery Supports – $137,000.00
• Region 7 – Alta Care Group – Empowering Youth: Expanding the Reach of YouthMOVE in Mahoning County – Prevention – $123,151.28
• Region 7 – Coalition for a Drug-Free Mahoning County – Equipping Emerging Healthcare Providers to Improve Patient Outcomes – Workforce – $37,756.00
• Region 7 – Community Legal Aid Services – Legal Assistance with Record Sealing and Expungement to Support Recovery – Recovery Supports – $150,000.00

Summit County is using approximately $750,000 in settlement funds to hire three behavioral health and wellness coordinators for Manchester, Mogadore, Stow-Munroe Falls, and Springfield school districts. The Summit Educational Service Center, in partnership with Akron Children’s Hospital and Child Guidance & Family Solutions, will oversee recruitment, training, and program implementation, including screenings, referrals, and student support teams, through 2025-2026.

West Virginia

News reports that the Boone County Commission approved $150,000 in settlement funds to support the construction of Hero House’s 20-bed facility. Hero House, a faith-based recovery program, offers “daily Bible studies, recovery meetings, and practical support, including transportation to medical appointments.”

Randolph County Commissioners allocated $13,000.00 to purchase two License Plate Reader Devices. These devices will be used during patrols to identify stolen vehicles and flag suspicious activity. $10,564.00 was allocated to buy a Simulation Weapons Package package from Lawman Supply Company. A deputy says these will be used for less lethal force, such as paint rounds, and training. $12,500.00 was allocated for three years of the Game Changer program at Tygarts Valley High School. See minutes pp. 1-2 for details. 

Sumter County, Tennessee  —  application info. (DUE 11/29) 

Lawrence County, Tennessee — application info. (DUE 12/2)

Pennsylvania — DDAP application info. for “Community-Based Prevention Services to Prevent Opioid Use” (DUE 12/13)

Tennessee — OAC application info. for “Opioid Abatement Council Community Grants Cycle 2” (DUE 12/13)

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

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

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: TBD
• 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: December 12, 3:00pm EST
• 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, 10am EST(info here)
• Coffee Chat: December 6, 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: December 13, 1:00pm EST (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: December 6, 3:00-5:00pm EST
• 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