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People involved in the Chisago County Opioid Action Council have put out the word, calling for proposals from programs, agencies or organizations in need of funding.  As of last week council members are just waiting applications to be submitted. 

Distributions of up to $60,000 per grantee are available.  Grants will be coming from the pharmaceutical corporation lawsuit settlement monies earmarked for Chisago County at $300,000 in this round.  

You have until June 7 at 4 p.m.

The opioid settlement monies awarded to Chisago County are being directed to funding expenses of efforts designed to lessen opioid abuse, reducing overdoses and to address the damage done to individuals and families impacted by the opioid epidemic.  

Applicants for funding can be from the private or public sectors, they may be a school district or a church organization.  They might be covering costs for a speaker for a special event.

Chisago County Public Health’s Mackenzie Halfen was taking questions as part. of an internet forum May 15 to spread information about on the action council’s grants.

Application forms are on the county website (co.chisago.mn.us) and members of the Action Council will review requests for grant funds between June 7 and 20 to forward recommendations for authorization to the Chisago County Board by early July. 

Halfen explained that requests for funding need to fit in the parameters  of the opioid settlement directive from the courts, issued through the MN Attorney General.  The State of MN received hundreds of millions. This Memorandum of Agreement also established the sums each county in Minnesota was to receive over the next several years from the settlement monies are being made available.  

The Chisago County Opioid Action Council’s own expenses are funded through this account as well.

Halfen said everybody is hoping to see established opioid addiction and abuse programs and new programs, apply for grants.

There are requirements for  periodic reports from grant awardees and this first round of funds will sunset December 31,2024.  

Should it happen that no requests get submitted (this financial resource is brand new after all) Halfen said the Action Council will need to have a discussion on how to proceed.

The Chisago County Opioid Action Council is made up of interested citizens, area school district representatives, an EMS rep, the sheriff and at least one police chief and a member from local clergy.

For a copy of the electronic form that you need to complete to qualify for the grant program— see the Chisago County website and search opioid council grants.

There are questions concerning the structure of your program or event, what area the work is focused on, a projected timeline for funding use and outcomes proposed.

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