Northampton’s opioid settlement mini-grant program to aid community-based organizations

NORTHAMPTON — The Department of Health and Human Services has launched its Opioid Settlement Fund mini-grant program.

The department is now accepting applications from community-based organizations working on overdose prevention, harm reduction, treatment access and recovery support.

The program became official on April 6 and coincided with National Public Health Week. According to the city, it reflects this year’s theme, “Ready, Set, Action,” by putting resources into community-driven solutions that reduce harm and save lives.

DHHS Director of Prevention Taylor McDonough told Reminder Publishing that the program was shaped by community input, including feedback from individuals and families impacted by substance use, service providers, and partners such as Hampshire HOPE, to ensure funding reflects local needs and priorities. The feedback included a survey for the general public of Hampshire County, targeted interviews and other surveys to identify those in the community most directly affected.

“So that included people who are still actively using drugs, or those who are in early or stable stages of recovery,” said McDonough. “That helped us to kind of create our priority areas, but I think a large piece of this, it is about whoever applies. We don’t want it to be a passive program, but we definitely want to be intentional with having this money go to organizations who are trusted, who have relationships with those they are serving and doing on-the-ground work in Northampton.”

The funding cycle allows for $120,000 to be spread across different organizations that serve Northampton. Organizations may apply for up to $10,000, with a priority deadline of May 15, and rolling applications as funding allows.

“I think one of our biggest aims with these mini grants is to have these funds be low barrier, strategic and flexible. So, rather than kind of concentrating all of our resources in one place or one organization, a lot of times people will talk about addiction and treatment and recovery on a spectrum. And so, I think what we are trying to do is really approach and target the impacts of opioid loss in Northampton on that spectrum,” said McDonough. “So how can we look at prevention, how can we look at harm reduction, navigating treatment, recovery, and we know that there’s numerous organizations in our community that do that work, so [we’re] kind of spreading the wealth and giving it to the experts in each of those areas.”

The city will receive annual funding from the Opioid Settlement funds through 2038. McDonough said the program is a great opportunity for municipalities to build and sustain work with community-based organizations in the areas of overdose prevention, harm reduction, treatment access and recovery support into the future.

“There’s a long time to think about this. This is just what we’re hoping is the first round of this funding, but I think need and different priority areas will kind of determine what this process would look like in years to come,” added McDonough.

“I would encourage really any organization who thinks that this might fit their needs or their work to apply,” she continued. “We’re really excited to see what ideas come out of this. I think one of the exciting factors about this funding is that while it does need to hit these approved areas of spending, like harm reduction, peer support, navigation, there’s a lot of creativity that can happen within that, so I think we’re eager to see what kind of proposals come in. Don’t think anything is too small.”

Applications and more details are available at https://northamptonma.gov/2736/Opioid-Settlement-Funds-Mini-Grants. Applications may also be picked up at the DHHS main office, located at 210 Main St., or requested by calling 413-587-1214. For questions or technical assistance, contact McDonough at tmcdonough@northamptonma.gov.