Richland County expected to receive over $489,000 in Opioid Settlement Funds

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis. (WRCO / WRCE) – Richland County is expected to receive over $489,000 through the end of 2038 of Opioid Settlement Funds.

In February of 2023, the Richland County Health and Human Services/Veterans Standing Committee approved the creation of a committee to determine the best way to serve the community utilizing these funds. After reviewing the Richland County Opioid Settlement Funds Use Assessment, completed by Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, three primary goals were identified: prevention, treatment and recovery.

The Needs Assessment found that in Richland County, the need for treatment exceeds the capacity.  Recovery is about returning people to lifestyles that are productive and functioning in their family, workplace, and communities. The first steps in long-lasting recovery are preventing overdose deaths and finding treatment options. There needs to be an understanding that the recovery process happens slowly. 

Part of supporting those in recovery is removing barriers to long term recovery, providing life skills, education and guidance.

The Needs Assessment provided three recommendations to achieve these goals: increase capacity of existing services within the designated agencies, and task a person or a position with coordinating the existing resources either in Richland County, or regionally so that information is more widely available and not in “silos” and find ways to help remove or reduce barriers.  

Applications for funding can be turned in at any time to the Director of Richland County Health and Human Services. Grant applications will be reviewed twice a year, in November and May, by the Community and Health Services Committee, with final approval by the full county board.  Eligible applicants are Richland County non-profit organizations and those that serve Richland County residents, businesses in Richland County, schools, and local governmental agencies.

Since the funds will be available over a period of 14 years, the needs of the community may change, and the utilization of these funds may also change. Ultimately, the applicant must address how the proposed grant would meet the needs of the community related to Opioid Use.  

Eligible projects are those that support efforts to educate, train, reduce, and prevent harm from consequences of opioids. Funds can also be used to support those that work directly with individuals who are impacted by the Opioid Epidemic.

Once a project is awarded, the applicant is allowed to start the month following the award being granted.  All applicants must be present at the Richland County Community and Health Services Committee meeting to answer questions. Awards will generally be between $1,000 and $25,000. Projects can be renewed annually if funding allows and all reporting requirements have been met. Grant funds will be distributed quarterly on a reimbursement model unless otherwise approved by the full county board. All projects must be operational within three years of the project start date.  

---