The North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) Behavioral Health Division today announced the North Dakota Opioid Settlement Fund Grant and the opportunity to submit applications for grant funding.
National opioid settlements have been reached with opioid manufacturers and distributers, and North Dakota is one of the many states that participated in these settlements. A requirement for states receiving the settlement funds is the establishment of an advisory committee and utilizing the funds in a way that aligns with Exhibit E of the settlement documents.
During the 2023 legislative session, North Dakota lawmakers enacted North Dakota Century Code 50-36, which created the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee and appropriated $8 million from the Opioid Settlement Fund to HHS for the 2023-2025 biennium. At least 20% of these funds must be used for opioid use prevention and overdose prevention, including best practices relating to fentanyl drug overdose and approved use for behavioral health workforce development.
Using recommendations from the North Dakota Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, chaired by Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller, the Behavioral Health Division has created the Opioid Settlement Fund Grant and is accepting the first round of applications.
The deadline to submit an application is Dec. 22 at 11:59 p.m. CT. The first round of applications will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified of award status no later than Jan. 15, 2024. If funding is still available, subsequent applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis until all of the grant funding has been awarded or by Dec. 31, 2024. The notice of funding opportunity and application information is online at: hhs.nd.gov/opioids/settlement
The grant is open to entities interested in providing services in North Dakota that address a wide array of categories. Among them are treatment and rehabilitation, preventive initiatives, training and education and support for families and communities.
For more information on the application process, contact Amy Lies at the HHS Behavioral Health Division at (701) 328-8933, 711 (TTY) or amlies@nd.gov