EOHHS Announces Open Application Process for Opioid Settlement Municipal Incentive Funds

Published on Thursday, October 31, 2024

Rhode Island municipalities invited to apply for grants to assist them

in enhancing services and activities established with Opioid Settlement funds.

Cranston, Rhode Island - The Rhode Island Executive Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS) today announced the opening of applications for up to a total of $500,000 in grants to incentivize municipalities to increase transparency, coordination, and alignment with the State’s Overdose Strategic Plan.

“This additional funding will help municipalities enhance services and activities currently in development and leverage resources already provided to them by municipal opioid settlement funds,” said Governor Dan McKee. “These grants will help municipalities expand existing overdose prevention programs that are funded at the municipal level, while at the same time providing support to help align those efforts with the State’s overdose response plan.”

The grant funding aims to enhance support initiatives, programs, and services directly related to addressing the impacts of the opioid crisis and supporting individuals and families impacted by the opioid crisis. Eligible municipalities are encouraged to apply for one or more activities, including strategies to improve prevention and access to treatment. These activities are aimed at increasing collaboration with the Opioid Settlement and the Governor’s Overdose Task Force Strategic Plan, as well as the expansion of existing municipally funded programming.

“Our goal is to provide renewed incentives to municipalities to encourage their continued commitment toward making transformational changes that save and improve lives,” said EOHHS Secretary Richard Charest. “Engaging municipalities is important because our aim is to increase social connectedness by supporting our communities. It’s about creating community resilience and bringing about changes at the community level, not just at the individual level.”

A total of $500,000 is being made available through EOHHS for a period of one year, with potential options to extend or expand. This opportunity will provide incentives to any of the 39 municipalities interested in expanding their share of municipal Opioid Settlement funds in alignment with the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee’s (OSAC) priorities and the Governor's Overdose Task Force Strategic Plan.

“For years, this Office has held accountable opioid manufacturers, distributors, and consultants for their role in knowingly and deceptively peddling highly addictive narcotics to Rhode Islanders, recovering hundreds of millions of dollars in payments to the State and lifesaving medication to fight the ongoing opioid crisis they created,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “Decades later, the devastation remains and continues to wreak havoc on families in Rhode Island and across the country. We know that true progress in fighting this epidemic requires comprehensive collaboration at every level of government. That’s why I am grateful that a portion of those settlements are being used to help municipalities expand their efforts to address the impact of opioids in their own communities. We will never be able to undo the incredible harm caused by these companies, but through strategic and coordinated planning around prevention, treatment, and recovery, we can stand with and support those Rhode Islanders who have been most impacted.”

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed quarterly. Funding will be available through the duration of the EOHHS delegated authority, which ends on August 31, 2029. Awards are subject to total funding availability. To be considered, applicants need to meet programmatic and reporting requirements, and follow the following quarterly award schedule:

To learn more and download an application, visit https://eohhs.ri.gov/initiatives/opioid-settlement-municipal-incentive-fund. Any questions can be sent to ohhs.opioidsettlement@ohhs.ri.gov.